Every contractor dreams of unlimited resources to work with. But if you’re like most contractors, you’re always looking for ways to keep the project within budget. Along the way, your clients may look to you for guidance on where they should focus their funds. Should they go for the less expensive option or is it time to splurge? To help decide where to direct the funds, use this contractor’s guide on when to save and when to splurge.
Kitchen
Whether your clients are budding home chefs or are just reheating some leftovers, the kitchen is a room they’ll use each and every day. High-quality countertops are a great area to channel funds into. Whether they’re marble, granite or quartz, countertops are a splurge they will never regret.
A surprising way to save when designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one is with appliances. Today, appliances have better designs than ever. By doing a little research you can easily find savings on everything from dishwashers and refrigerators to ranges and cooktops. You’ll get the same level of quality and save significant funds for use elsewhere in the budget.
If your client is looking to save some cash to help accommodate other projects throughout the house, consider refinishing kitchen cabinets. If you’re doing a renovation, this can depend on the style of the current cabinets. If they’re a simple design, a coat of paint in an updated color can help give them a fresh face while keeping funds available for other areas.
Bathroom
Many people tend to think of a bathroom as being pricey when building or remodeling. It can be, but there are ways to save by using less expensive vanities or toilets. Where you want to consider a splurge is fixtures. They’re the finishing touch on a beautifully-built or remodeled bathroom and worth the extra cash. They can take even the most simple bathroom and give it a high-end aesthetic.
Flooring
There’s nothing like the feel of lush carpeting under your feet. But this can be an area where you can save a little bit when it comes to the carpet itself. Select a slightly less expensive carpeting option, but be sure to splurge when it comes to the pad underneath it.
If the project is a home renovation that already has old hardwood floors, they may be salvageable. Refinishing the hardwood flooring can save time and money that can be spent elsewhere.
Paint
When you think about how much wear and tear happens in high-traffic areas of a home, high-quality paint should be an obvious splurge. Cheaper paints can be low quality, thin in texture and prone to fading. Higher quality paint will give better coverage and hold up to scrubbing, fading and day-to-day use for your clients for years to come.
As you monitor your construction budget for where to save and where to splurge, make sure you don’t have to think about how to offer financing as a contractor. Let HFS Financial pair your clients with the right loan for their home project. Application only takes 60 seconds, and you’ll be kept in the loop as to how their financing is progressing. Give us a call at 1-800-254-9560. “You Dream It, We Finance It.”