5 Proven Ways to Save Money on Your Next Home Renovation

1. Get At Least 3 Quotes (and Compare Apples to Apples)

This is the single most impactful thing you can do. Contractor pricing for the same project can vary by 20-40%. But make sure you're comparing equivalent scopes of work — the cheapest bid often excludes items the others include.

Pro tip: Ask each contractor to break down their quote by labor, materials, and permits so you can see exactly where the differences are.

2. Schedule During Off-Peak Season

Contractors are busiest in spring and summer. Scheduling your project for late fall or winter (weather permitting) can save 10-15% because:

3. Do the Demo Yourself

Demolition doesn't require skill — just sweat equity. Removing old flooring, cabinets, drywall, or fencing yourself can save $500-$3,000 in labor costs.

Important: Don't touch anything involving asbestos (pre-1980 homes), lead paint, electrical, plumbing, or structural elements. Those require professionals.

4. Source Materials Yourself

Contractors typically mark up materials 15-30%. By purchasing your own:

Note: Some contractors won't warranty work done with owner-supplied materials. Discuss this upfront.

5. Phase Your Project

Instead of doing everything at once, break large renovations into phases:

This lets you spread costs over time and take advantage of sales and seasonal pricing for each phase.

*Use our free calculators to estimate costs before you start, so you can budget each phase accurately.*