Budgeting a Home Renovation: What You Should Know Before You Start

Split your budget into three parts, not one

Instead of calculating a single figure, split it into: labor cost, materials cost, and a reserve of at least 15-20% for the unexpected — old walls often hide surprises (outdated wiring, hidden damp damage, and so on).

Get at least 3 comparable quotes

Prices for the same job can vary significantly between companies, not necessarily because of quality — sometimes simply due to each company's current workload. Comparing several quotes gives you a realistic picture of the market price.

Ask specific questions about timelines

"About two weeks" is not a deadline — ask for a concrete start and finish date, and what happens if the work runs longer for reasons outside the company's control (weather, material supply).

Do not pay everything upfront

A typical payment structure splits the cost by completed work phases, not 100% upfront. This protects both parties.

Document every change during the work

If you decide to change something during the process (e.g. a different tile type), make sure the price change is clearly agreed in writing before work continues.

Post your renovation request and start getting comparable quotes today.