Addicted to DIY? These 5 Tips Could Save You Money

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Are You a DIY Addict?

Do you find that you spend too much on your DIY projects? Do you need a bracelet that literally shocks you for spending too much? It could help.

Some projects can quickly spiral out-of-control if you’re not careful. Here are five things to keep in mind when determining your DIY addict budget.

Plus, check out these 12 home renovation budget tips.

1. Set a Budget

A specific projects budget can very, but to truly ensure that you are getting the most out of a project, it is important to set a budget right off the bat. Be sure to do your research before beginning the project so you can estimate how much each material and tool will cost.

Something to keep in mind when doing a home renovation project—you should spend no more on each room than the value of that room as a percentage of your overall house value, according to Zillow. Think of it this way: A kitchen generally accounts for up to 15 percent of the property value. That means if your home is worth $200,000, you’ll want to spend no more than $30,000 on your kitchen remodel. These 20 home renovations will instantly add value to your home.

2. Don’t Overspend

If you truly are a DIY addict that always over spends, break your bad habits with the Pavlock 2 bracelet. This bracelet is used by over 50,000 people to break habits ranging from spending to much to smoking to oversleeping. Set up the Pavlock by downloading the app, and choosing the habit you want to break.

According to the product page “Pavlok allows you to speak your reptile brain’s language by adding an unpleasant element (a safe and harmless ‘zap’ of electricity on your wrist) to what you have been taught to love (your nasty lingering habit). Quickly conditioning your mind to associate an “unpleasant” feeling with your bad habit… and stopping it all together.”

Get this device on Amazon.

3. Invest in Quality

To start honing in on your DIY addict spending, practice balancing durability and cost and always get the right tools for the job. Sometimes going cheap on products can actually harm your budget in the long run.

For example, expensive paint has more pigment and resin, and though it may look the same as the cheap stuff, there are big differences in the ingredients and in long-term performance.

Check out these pro-quality products all DIYers should have at home.

4. Test Products Out If Possible

Before purchasing an entire order of tile for your new kitchen backsplash, ensure that you really like the product by instead ordering one box.  This will help you see first hand if you like the look of a product first before moving forward with rest of the project.

Another way to test out tool products is to rent them. The aisles of The Home Depot are filled with tools of all sizes and prices. Each one of them is brand new, never used. But there’s another place in the store that has an even better deal on tools: the rental shop. Rental tools are available to DIYers of all skill levels to try out or to use for one-off projects. As the various tools start to pick up scratches and dings or get replaced by a newer model, they’re put up for sale. Usually at a big discount. Of course, you can always simply rent tools to save money

5. Think About Alternatives

You like the look of natural stone countertops but don’t want the high price tag? Conduct some online research about cheaper products, and ALWAYS read the reviews, or you can ask a contractor or other expert about how you can get a high-end look with lower-cost alternatives. Check out these 12 ways to fake high-end looks in your home.

Using reclaimed materials can save you some money on a project. Look for architectural salvage companies in your area and ask your contractor if they’re working on any other projects where there might be discarded materials, like a rustic wooden door or vintage hardware, that could work well with your renovation. These 13 home improvement fails will make you cringe.