We’re all tightening our belts at the moment, but if you have a home improvement project on the cards that just can’t wait, there are a number of clever ways you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.
From forward planning and bagging cut-price items in the sales, to sourcing free building materials and ex-display units, read on to find our savvy solutions and insider secrets for making huge savings on your next home renovation...
Reuse what you have
If you’re tired of the look of your existing kitchen, but the carcasses are still in good condition, consider simply replacing the door and drawer fronts. It’s a quick and easy job to do and can save you thousands of pounds, let alone saving you from the mess and upheaval of fitting a whole new kitchen.
There are a number of companies who specialise in supplying replacement door and drawer fronts and some, such as Superfront and HUSK, specifically supply doors for IKEA kitchen cabinet frames.
You could also consider simply painting the doors and replacing the handles for an even more budget revamp. This principle can also be applied to fitted bedroom furniture and bathroom vanity units. When your worktops have seen better days, these can also be replaced, or covered with a granite or stone overlay, to make them look as good as new while keeping the cabinetry intact.
Sell your stuff
If you’re replacing your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom furniture, think about elements you could sell to help finance the project. Listing them on Facebook Marketplace or eBay is an easy way to find buyers.
Tim Warren, a DIY expert from Adkwik, advises: ‘If your old kitchen cabinets are in a good condition, you can sell them on and prevent them from going to landfill. You need to ensure that they are clean as they will be worth more, regardless of the manufacturer. Even if you are not selling all of your old kitchen, buyers may still be looking for parts such as worktops or doors.’
Consider using specialist sites like rehome.co.uk or theusedkitchencompany.com who buy and sell used kitchens. They have specialist agents who will value your kitchen, co-ordinate potential buyers and simplify the whole process.
Buy ex-display
If you’re looking to fit a new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, you can make huge savings by buying ex-display or secondhand models. On average, you could save 50-70 per cent off the original price! Buying a pre-loved kitchen or bathroom is also an environmentally friendly way to cut costs.
However, make sure you check all the dimensions before purchasing, and arrange a viewing to check the pieces yourself. Be aware that if you’re buying from a private seller you have less protection than when buying from a trader – the goods must be as described, but they don’t have to disclose any faults.
Grab excess materials for free
Fancy sourcing materials for free? Myles Robinson from CompareBoilerQuotes.co.uk says: ‘It’s common for local construction businesses and appliance companies to give away perfectly fitting, unused materials for free. This is because the cost and inconvenience of selling them outweigh the benefit of getting rid of them. I’d recommend researching any local companies that might have some of your needed materials, and seeing if they’re looking to dispose of them.’
Check out websites xstrade.co.uk, enviromate.co.uk, wnwnshop.co.uk or offloadit.com and download the SustainabilityYard app, to find excess building materials for less.
Design to your structure
Although you may have dreams of completely reconfiguring the space in your home, moving structural objects such as walls and staircases comes at a huge expense and upheaval so, wherever possible, try to work around what you already.
If your staircase is making the room feel too dark, consider installing glass panels or slimline spindles to help increase the sense of space and let the light into the room. Alternatively, remove the boarding or stud wall under the stairs to open up the space and make room for a small home office area or reading nook instead.
Similarly, in the bathroom or kitchen, try to design around the existing utilities, such as plumbing, waste pipes and electrical sockets. If you’re switching up your bath for a walk-in shower, try and keep it in the same footprint and avoid costly plumbing fees by keeping the WC waste pipe in the same position too.
Hire good people
DIY saves money, but a botched job can cost you. Nat White, Head of Brand Communications at Rated People explains: ‘If your project doesn’t go to plan, it can cost much more to get it fixed by a professional. A skilled tradesperson can provide invaluable advice and deal with any unexpected issues that may arise along the way. They’ll also have quality tools to get the job done quickly and to a high standard’.
Use a professional who is accredited by the relevant body, such as the Federation of Master Builders, NICEIC or APHC. Read our guide to choosing a builder and how to find a trustworthy tradesperson for more advice!
Scour the salvage yards
If your home has been stripped of its period features and you want to restore it to its former glory, or even if you want to add some personality and quirky features to a modern home, try salvage yards and architectural reclamation warehouses. They’re a great source for key items such as original period doors, fireplace surrounds, wooden flooring, and even smaller pieces like handles, light fittings and tiles, at bargain prices.
Some items might need a bit of TLC before they can be reused - for example floorboards may need stripping back or light fittings may need rewiring to comply with modern safety standards, but the savings to be made can often outweigh the extra time and elbow grease involved in restoring them.
If you don’t have a local salvage yard close to home, there are a number of companies where you can source and buy architectural salvage online, such as lassco.co.uk, salvoweb.com or englishsalvage.co.uk.
Discover IKEA hacks
Recreate the look of fitted furniture at a fraction of the cost by getting creative with IKEA pieces. Employing a carpenter can cost hundreds, let alone the cost of the timber. However, with clever placement you can make a run of Billy bookcases look made to measure. Or create a bespoke workstation by configuring Billy bookcases around a desk area and adding glass doors.
For a fitted bedroom, try using IKEA’s smart Pax/Hasvik wardrobe combination which has streamlined sliding doors similar to high-end, made-to-measure designs and costs under £500. Explore some of our favourite IKEA hacks.
Target the sales
If time is on your side, it’s worth waiting for sale season to buy big-ticket items, like kitchens, bathroom suites, fitted wardrobes etc, at cut prices, saving you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.
Thomas Oldham, DIY and interiors expert at ukconstructionblog.co.uk, has this advice: ‘If your project will take a year or more, you might want to plan ahead and purchase items that could be included in annual deals such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or any other seasonal sales. Be diligent and compare available prices, and also be cognisant of any deals that are outside of your local area – any significant monetary savings could still offset the costs of travel and transportation.’
Make sure you regularly check out moneysavingexpert.com’s ‘Home, Garden & Pets’ section for their updates on the latest in-store and online sales and offers.
Ready to crack on with your makeover? Before you start, check out these seven home improvement myths.
