You want to renovate, but cash is scarce? No problem. You've got a number of "recessionary renos" to choose from to make your living space better on a budget.
For penny-pinching results, "nothing beats plaster and paint," says Barry Berman, owner of Berman Renovations.
"Filling in the holes and then repainting a room brings it back to life. Even if you do the same colours again, walls that were dirty now look clean and fresh. For the money, you can't get a better recessionary reno value."
The next-best way to renovate on a budget is to change the details within a room, to make it look different than before.
"For instance, people can revamp their kitchens by putting up a backsplash using peel-and-stick tiles or small ceramic tiles," says Anne Legault, Home Depot Quebec's merchandising manager. "They can also update their faucets, change the handles on their doors, and replace their lighting fixtures -- perhaps adding dimmers to create a little ambience. There's a lot you can do without spending much money."
The same logic works in other areas of the home. In the bathroom, for instance, new paint and matching towels can revitalize an old space. If you have the money, change the faucets and mirrors, too.
When possible, upgrade a feature within a living space to impart more class.
"Home Depot has painted crown moulding that can dress up any room," Legault said.
"We've got textured wallpaper that you can paint to enhance a den, or wallpaper with realistic-looking brick for adding an urban touch to a rec room."
Besides these details, a lot can be achieved by simply tidying up your home, both inside and out. Keeping the lawn weeded, cut and watered will make your house look better, even though the only real cost is your time.
Inside, take time to "edit" your space, getting rid of items you no longer use or have kept stored for years.
Remember, some of this stuff can be sold to other people at garage sales. The cash you make can be used to further fix up your home.
"Whatever your plan, do things that are pleasing to the eye," said Bruce Vineberg, president of Vicon Construction.
"In the basement, put in drywall and carpet rather than leaving concrete and painted floors; put in light fixtures instead of light bulbs. Little things can do a lot to make a space feel better."
In general, recessionary renos preclude hiring someone to do the work for you. After all, you're trying to save money by doing it yourself.
But don't be unwisely thrifty; there are some jobs, such as plumbing, wiring and complicated carpentry, that are best done by professionals.
"It's not cost-effective to do renovation work yourself if you are not up to the task," Berman said. "Quality counts inside a home. You don't want to live with ceilings covered in paint splotches, simply because you don't have the experience to paint lines cleanly.
"The same is true for kitchen cabinetry, flooring, drywall borders, and anything else that catches people's eyes.
Sometimes, the best recessionary-reno strategy is to save up until you can afford to have the renovation done right."
The moral here is that tight times don't have to mean an end to home renovation. Rather, a recession means approaching projects more carefully -- sometimes by doing a whole lot of little projects you can afford, as opposed to one big one you can't.
Whatever you do, don't let the economy stop you from revitalizing a living space. For $50, a gallon of paint, a roller and a brush can do wonders in any room.
GIVING YOUR HOME-RENO BUDGET A BOOST
Good news: The federal Home Renovation Tax Credit will apply to renovations (and new construction) from Jan. 27, 2009, to Feb. 1, 2010. "You just keep your receipts, then use them to file for the tax credit next year," said Home Depot's Anne Legault. "The credit applies to work done inside and outside, including decks . . . and other items that improve your property." The credit, which is worth 15 per cent of eligible expenses on your 2009 tax return, applies to total expenditures not less than $1,000, but no more than $10,000, with a top credit limit of $1,350. Find out more at www.cra-rc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/-2009/fqhmrnvtn-eng.html.
Also: Retailers such as Rona are offering incentives to lower material costs for credit-eligible projects. Before buying your renovation supplies, be sure to ask your local retailer if they have such a program.
("Recessionary renos" prepared by James Careless/Vancouver Sun
