If you are in the market for an apartment remodel for your New York City apartment, you are probably already prepared to drop a significant financial investment to get the property of your dreams. But the question is, will you end up overpaying for that remodel for things that you probably did not need in the first place. It is important to know that far too many people who drop money for an apartment remodel had opportunities to save a lot of money if they excluded some unnecessary features, or had done a little bit of leg work ahead of time to prevent an elongated timeline. So here are things you can do that should help you save money on your next New York City apartment renovation.
Do the Project Yourself
For basic apartment remodeling projects, always consider if you can do the project yourself. Depending on the scope of the project and your skills, avoiding a general contractor can save you anywhere from 10 to 40 percent on a project budget. Or if there are certain parts of a project that you feel you can do yourself, work with a contractor so that he only works on tasks you do not feel comfortable doing.
Examples of tasks that most apartment owners should be able to handle are things under a basic interior renovation like painting, replacing light fixtures, and maybe some basic plumbing skills. If you have the equipment, then you may be able to do even more complicated work such as tiling or re-flooring. There is an inherent risk however if you make mistakes, especially if these are tasks that require approval from the building department. So, work with your contractor if need be and figure out where your skills could be best used in all of this.
Cabinetry
Among the more common types of apartment remodels is a kitchen renovation project. These also tend to be the most expensive apartment remodeling projects around. So, if you are trying to save money during a kitchen renovation, always look to cabinetry. This is where costs can generally skyrocket, based on the quality of materials, how many cabinets are installed, and the labor costs that come with it.
A more modern approach that is becoming more mainstream in NYC apartments are the use of open shelving concepts. This means rather than the standard box cabinets, more apartment owners are looking to open shelving which appears to give a kitchen more space. Working with an interior designer, they can recommend how to organize glassware and plates in a way that is vibrant on these open shelves and can really bring out your kitchen.
Avoid a New Layout
A lot of times when homeowners undergo a bathroom remodel or kitchen renovation, they feel that to get the best bang for their buck and love of their space, is to go for a full gut job and redo a layout. Maybe they feel that functionally the sink is too far from a refrigerator, or they do not like having a toilet close to the shower. While in some cases the functionality can be a concern, in many cases it ends of becoming a waste of money without considering a plan B where everything is left intact.
When moving around appliances and fixtures, this is what can make a project cost skyrocket. Not only do you have to remove old appliances and fixtures, but then you must open walls in order to relocate utilities. In dire situations, you might find that when a contractor opens a wall, they come across code compliance issues, and right away that can jump the cost up. A contractor is obligated to fix any code compliance issues they discover if they are going to go through with any upgrade. So always consider a plan B vision where appliances and fixtures can stay put. Odds are, a plan B can deliver a similar level of satisfaction than a new layout.
Consider Where You Shop for Appliances and Fixtures
It is highly likely that when you shop around for new appliances, you come across some nice high-end models that you feel will bring in that wow factor to a new apartment. But with high-end models comes a high-end price. What many people do not realize is that if your willing to settle for a product with a little less aesthetic, the cost of these appliances can go down astronomically and save a lot of money in a project.
Always consider shopping for appliances at a big box store, as there is always a lot of inventory and models to choose from that may speak you, but at a fraction of the price of those high-end places. You could even consider going to a warehouse or clearance center to save even more, by shopping for models that are being discontinued or have minor blemishes that force a company to knock off the price.
Use a Design-Build Firm for Large Projects
If you are in the market for a full apartment renovation, then you should consider using a design-build firm. These firms handle both the design and construction of a project and can communicate effectively between the architects and the contractors to communicate your vision. On big projects, this can save a lot of time as they are able to handle a lot of the preparation and minimize the amount of time needed to be invested in the design process.
Conclusion
So, the next time you are in the market for a bathroom remodel, an interior renovation, or just a full apartment remodel, consider these tips for saving money on your NYC apartment. These projects are not cheap, but with that in mind you want to always make sure that you get the most bang for your buck, and you are not dumping money into features that achieve the same satisfaction at a discounted price.