Money-saving advice for old building renovations

Renovations and repairs can be pricey, but there are lots ways to lighten the load. We'll teach you how to save money by doing things yourself, developing a better sense of material expenses, and negotiating trades.

• You can save a lot of money on labour by performing most renovations yourself. However, there are a few situations where you'll need a professional. A licensed electrician or plumber is required to work on fixtures connected to town water and sewage systems. Additionally, the availability of some pest treatment products is restricted to professional exterminators.
• Rebuilding unstable walls is a major expense, but very few walls are in real danger of collapsing, however bad they may look. You're likely to save money by getting an expert opinion before you start rebuilding old walls.
• It's a good habit to learn how much basic materials cost. Spending half a day in a builder's supply centre can be very educational. For large areas like walls and roofs, the most useful tactic is to convert the prices to a cost per square metre (or per square yard) figure where possible. Piping, fencing wire, and rain gutters can be calculated by the linear metre (or yard) or linear 100-metre lots.
• Have a close look around your property before you make any purchases. Sometimes an old shed contains surprises! You might find a store of spare roofing iron, some fence posts, or a length of fencing wire that you can use for your renovation project.
• Consider speaking with your neighbours and sharing your tools with each other. Offering them use of your snowblower in exchange for using their woodchipper can save you both a lot of money in tool purchases or rentals.

These are only some of the things you can do to save money on renovations. Remember to always examine all of your options and don't be afraid to get creative! There's no shortage of ways to save.