Renovating on a Budget: Our Home Makeover Journey
Renovating a home on a budget can feel like a balancing act, but with careful planning and collaboration, it's achievable. We are moving ever so close to breaking ground on a full-scale renovation of our 1965 tri-level split home, Cloud Cline, aiming to transform it into a modern, energy-efficient space. By working closely with our builder, we identified opportunities to cut costs without compromising our vision.
Prioritizing Our Must-Haves
To ensure we maximized our budget, we focused on the core elements that would significantly improve our home's functionality, comfort, and long-term value. Our priorities included:
Energy Efficiency: Sealing air leaks, upgrading insulation, replacing windows, and optimizing the HVAC system.
Foundation and Structure: Addressing site grading and waterproofing issues to prevent future problems. We also added a portico to protect our front door from the elements.
Aging in Place: Creating an owner's suite on the main floor.
Functionality: Adding a pantry, half bath, and ample storage space to enhance daily living.
While these elements were non-negotiable, we realized that to stay on budget, we'd need to be flexible in other areas.
Smart Compromises for Big Savings
To make our renovation financially feasible, we made some strategic decisions to cut costs without sacrificing our home's overall appeal:
Delayed Gratification: Some upgrades, like replacing the concrete driveway, were postponed. While it needs attention, it’s not critical for immediate functionality.
Crawl Space Optimization: Instead of pouring a concrete "rat slab" in the crawlspace, we opted for plastic sheathing encapsulation saving on concrete costs. We will, however, retain the insulation, passive radon mitigation, drainage, sump pump and a dehumidifier. This will be a significant upgrade from current conditions.
Natural Light Alternatives: We initially planned for skylights but found that covered patio spaces and carefully placed windows provide sufficient natural light. This will be coupled with a multi-faceted lighting plan that incorporates recessed, ambient, task and accent lighting.
Material Adjustments: Switching the main entrance structure from steel to wood and eliminating the awnings also help to reduce costs. This was a harder decision as incorporating steel throughout the exterior and interior of the house was an intentions design consideration. Some of the design elements in the interior may also change like wrapping the living room feature wall in steel plates. At the end of day, coming in under budget was a higher priority than this particular design element.
Cabinetry Prioritization: We focused on essential kitchen and island cabinetry, delaying less critical areas like pantry and closet storage.
Lessons Learned
Through this renovation journey, we've learned that flexibility and prioritization are key to staying on budget. By carefully considering our needs and making strategic compromises, we hope we will be able to achieve our vision without breaking the bank.
Remember: Every home renovation is unique. By defining your must-haves, being open to alternatives, and exploring DIY options, you can create a beautiful and functional space that fits your budget.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into specific areas of the renovation, such as energy efficiency tips and DIY projects.
