How can I renovate in a recession?

When times are tight, travel and recreation expenses are usually the first to go in the family budget. This has prompted a new type of vacation, aptly titled the staycation. This is when you take off work and vacation at home instead of hitting the oceanfront rental. This is a great opportunity to beautify your biggest asset: your house. Not only will this provide enjoyment for your family, but it will also pay off when you decide to sell.

Another good reason to renovate during a recession is because of the availability of good contractors. If you were trying to get a construction project done during the housing boom, your contractor of choice may have not been available within your timeline. But in 2008, new construction work took a sharp decline, and contractors with the six-month waiting lists suddenly became more available. The bad contractors are generally weeded out as well once things slow down, so your chances of getting a quality crew goes up when times are tough. And since supply outweighs demand, sought-after contractors offer more competitive rates to get work and keep their crews busy.

The do-it-yourself (DIY) route is another great way to go in a recession. Most of the costs associated with contractor budgets are labor hours, so if you opt to take on projects yourself, you stand to save a lot of money. Couple that with the fact that building materials are marked down in a recession and a DIY-er can save even more. Keep an eye out for sales at your local building supplier.

Painting is the cheapest way to make a dramatic difference to a room. A gallon of paint costs less than a meal out and can be enjoyed for much longer. A fresh coat of a cool blue over that drab beige in your living room can transform the mood of the room immediately. Make sure that the paint colors you choose in each room complement the overall aesthetic of your home.

While a full landscaping project may not be in the budget, planting flowers is a great quick fix to perk up the exterior of your house. You can buy small packs of annuals early in the season for considerably less than full-grown plants. Bulbs are also inexpensive and easy to care for, and many come back year after year, providing delightful ranges of color. And if you want to be really thrifty, you can start seeds early in the season and transplant them to your yard once the weather warms up.

Bathroom redos are big right now because they're one of the main things that buyers look for when purchasing a house. So, if you have an out-of-date bathroom, you can make several inexpensive improvements to get it up to the times. Updating your tile is affordable, and this is usually a project that a novice renovator can complete with success. New vanities can be expensive, so you might want to consider retrofitting an old nightstand or dresser with a sink. This kind of customization is highly desirable to buyers and kind to your wallet.

Kitchens are another hot ticket for buyers. Replacing cabinets is a huge job, but refacing or painting them is a great way to make a splash without breaking the bank. If you do want to replace your cabinets, you might want to consider open shelving, which is all the rage in design magazines and considerably less expensive than new cabinets. Replacing the hardware and drawer pulls is a great way to alter the look for little money. Granite countertops are highly desirable in kitchens these days, but they can cost a lot. But installing granite tiles with a complementary grout color can provide a custom countertop.

The key to a profitable renovation is seeking out the maximum return for the minimal investment. Fortunately, there are many deals to be had, even in a bad economy. You just have to know where to look. Most towns and cities have some kind of home supply liquidation store. These places take overstock and lightly used items and sell them at a big discount. Windows, doors, molding, drywall, vanities and kitchen islands can all be had for a fraction of the price you'd pay at the big-box store.

Having the right tools is also incredibly important. You don't want to use a handsaw for a task that requires a circular saw. If you don't own a stock of tools, many hardware stores offer tool rentals, as well as advice on how to use them. If you want to get into more home projects, consider buying some major tools, but if it's a job that requires a specialty tool, then you should rent.

Look to your big-box retailer for free classes on home renovation projects. They instruct you in everything from tiling and laying wood flooring to hanging drywall and building a fence. There are also a dozens of TV shows aimed at the DIY-er that provide helpful tips and how-to's for the adventuresome homeowner.

You can also save big bucks by buying used. Go to salvage yards, flea markets and garage sales -- nothing is off-limits as long as they're selling something you need for cheap. Other DIY-ers leave perfectly good used building materials on the street for the taking, so keep your eyes out in your neighborhood for that old nine-panel interior door that would be perfect for your bungalow's office.

The Internet is another outstanding resource. EBay, Craigslist and Freecycle are the trio to go to as far as finding great used materials. You can also hit Craigslist to find an inexpensive handyman, plumber or electrician. Just make sure they're licensed and check references first; remember that you generally get what you pay for, and you can spend more money in the long run fixing the work of a bad handyman. If a hired worker won't furnish references and a written quote, walk away and find someone who will.

If you're ready to begin the work to upgrade your home, see some links on the next page that can also help with your project.