My husband and I have been watching HGTV a lot lately, and I’m always amazed by how expensive the home renovations are!

I can’t help but wonder how any average person can afford to pay tens of thousands of dollars to remodel.

I did some research and discovered that there are plenty of ways to renovate a home on a tight budget!  Here are the 8 best tips I found.

*Disclosure: This is a partnered post. Read our full disclosure policy here

Start Small

If you’re interested in increasing the resell value of your home, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive ways to do so.

You could try painting the walls, replacing old doors, and/or deep cleaning the carpet. De-cluttering and taking a more minimalist approach to decor can also make the rooms feel larger.

These small changes can make a big difference!

Plan Ahead

A home renovation is not something to take lightly. Plan well in advance and start saving ASAP. As a rule of thumb, save 20% more than you think you’ll actually need. That way, when unexpected expenses come up (as they often do), you’ll be able to cover them.

It seems like every episode of Love It or List It shows some kind of mini disaster occurring after renovations begin. Mold might be found in the walls, or something wasn’t up to code and needed to be fixed.

These issues can add thousands of dollars to the cost of a home renovation. Hope for the best but plan for the worst!

Don’t Forget About Trash

When planning a major remodel, one cost that might slip your mind is the price of throwing out your trash. If you’re throwing out drywall, appliances, trees (during a landscaping renovation), or other large items, you’ll need to rent a dumpster.

Make sure to use a reliable dumpster rental company like Eagle Dumpster Rental so you can get the best value for your money.

DIY

Many HGTV couples include a spouse who’s a contractor. If you have the ability to do any of the renovations yourself, do so! You could save an enormous amount of money this way.

Even if you hire professionals, there are still certain things you can probably take care of yourself, like painting, sanding furniture, assisting with clean up, or demolishing a deck.

Helping out will reduce the amount of money you give to the pros.

Use Recycled Parts

Recycled parts can save you a bundle! If you flip houses regularly, you might have a bunch of extra items sitting in storage somewhere. Use those if you can!

If not, check out one of Habitat for Humanity’s 400 ReStores, which offer salvaged materials for 50% off.

Make Minor Changes

Certain types of renovations will be significantly more expensive than others. Knocking down walls and rebuilding will be quite expensive.

More minor changes, such as changing the hardware on kitchen cabinets, will be much less expensive.

Shop Around

Don’t stick with the first price you find. Get a few estimates from different contractors and compare the cost. When buying parts, make sure to comparison shop.

Check out online prices (including the cost of shipping) as well as in-store ones. Take advantage of sales whenever possible.

Only Buy What You Need

You can easily overspend if you’re buying the highest quality items you can find, but do you really NEED the most expensive brands?

Odds are, you can find items that are sufficient quality without the hefty price tag. Be reasonable about your expectations and make sure they’re aligned with your budget.

Renovating on a Budget

Home renovations don’t have to cost a small fortune!  If your budget is small, start with minor changes that can make a big difference.

Alternatively, if you’re planning a major renovation, make sure to start saving early, comparison shop, and only buy what you need.

Happy renovating!