12 WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR BUDGET

Sometimes what you have to spend on big projects, such as kitchens and bathrooms, is less than you might like. Here’s how to make your money go a little bit further

It’s about dollars and sense

1 have a spending plan

Whatever the project, draw up a realistic budget and stick to it. “Make sure the budget is re lective of the problem at hand rather than how much you have to spend,” says designer Darren Genner of kitchen and bathroom company Minosa (minosadesign. com). “If the budget is tight, make sure you really understand your brief and the issues or desires that are most important to you. It’s easy to be swept up in the project once you’ve begun, so stay true to your real needs. Create a good brief and desired result at the start, and stay focused on this.”

2 shop around

“The sharing community online is an amazing resource when looking for a ordable appliances,” says interior designer and The Living Room presenter James Treble. “Check out discounted appliances that may be slightly used – plus some never opened – on sites such as Gumtree, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the regular sales at the big retail chains.”

3 go small

Consider the space available for your kitchen and decide whether you really need to ill it. “Compact can be functional and cost-e ective,” says Watershed Design architect Carolyn Miles (watersheddesign.com.au). “A compact kitchen means less walking and having everything at arms’ reach. Think about what you really need in terms of storage and pantry space – most of us keep way too much stu that we hardly ever use. Reducing the size of a kitchen is an obvious cost saving and comes with the bonus of being more e icient.”

4 ask for trade discounts

“My hottest cost-saving tip is to get your tradies on board early!” says builder Patrick Toner of All Things Building (pat@allthingsbuilding.com.au). “Even before employing the builder, ask them who their regular suppliers are for kitchen and bathroom products, and whether they’re happy to pass on their trade discounts.” Patrick points out that this can save you 20 to 30 per cent o the cost of major purchases.

5 resist floor-to-ceiling tiling

“Save on materials and labour in bathrooms by tiling only 1.2 metres up from the loor (except for the shower recess), then paint the rest of the walls,” suggests Lana Taylor of Three Birds Renovations (threebirdsrenovations.com). “This will cut your tiling bill in half and give the bathroom a much softer feel, with fewer hard surfaces.”

6 refresh don’t renew

“Re-use your cabinetry where possible,” suggests interior designer Victoria Waters (victoriawatersdesign.com.au). “Companies such as Dream Doors Kitchens (dreamdoorskitchens.com.au) will reface your doors and give your kitchen a fresh new look, while Granite Transformations (granitetransformations.com.au) will update your benchtops with a stone veneer at a fraction of the cost of replacement.”

7 think slim

Opt for a thinner benchtop, says builder Patrick. “A 40mm benchtop will cost $500 to $1500 more than a 20mm benchtop,” he says. Patrick also recommends getting quotes from three di erent suppliers. “Prices on stone can vary widely.”

8 choose wisely

Select cost-e ective options for ixtures and inishes. “A thermal-wrapped door has a similar look to two-pack polyurethane at a much cheaper price point,” says interior designer Victoria. She also suggests tiles instead of stone as a splashback and loor tiles instead of boards. “Also, consider a top-mount sink instead of an undermount – stonemasons will charge extra to install undermounts – and a back-to-wall toilet instead of an in-wall cistern, as the purchase price and installation costs are much cheaper.”

9 forgo a flush finish

“If you’re renovating a bathroom, you’ll probably be asked by your builder if you want him to lower the existing bathroom loor so the end result is lush with the hallway,” says renovator Lana. “In a perfect world, all loors would be lush, but if money is tight, a little ramp or step is a small price to pay to avoid the costs of lowering the loor for the sake of a lush inish.”

10 tailor to suit

A little customisation can give you luxe looks without the price tag, as interior designer Petrina Turner (petrinaturnerdesign.com.au) explains. “As a budget-saving option, I’ve used an existing recessed shave cabinet (or you could use a cheap o -the-shelf option) and then have mirrored doors custom-made for a designer feel,” she says. 11 buy in bulk

“You would be surprised how much cabinetry knobs and handles can cost,” says Lana. “You can pick up a bulk pack from Bunnings or IKEA for as little as $5 and get your carpenter or cabinet-maker to use those instead.” 12 stick to the design “One of the single biggest ways for costs to blow out is if you change your mind mid-reno,” says Lana. “Seemingly small changes like swapping in a di erent tap or bath can cost you if your plumber has already ‘roughed-in’ for something else. If your tradie has to redo work or do extra, he will charge you for a variation.”