So You Bought a Fixer-Upper to Save Money—Here Are the Projects to Prioritize
TABLE OF CONTENTS
On This Page
Before Remodeling
Paint
Flooring
Exterior
Kitchen
Windows
Drywall
Value
Final Considerations
The vast majority of people who purchase fixer-upper homes do so for financial reasons— because they generally can't afford a turn-key property. A recent report from Buildworld, a UK company that connects buyers with building materials, reveals that 73% of people who buy fixer-uppers do so because of money issues. This financial reality, however, can present a perplexing challenge when moving into a home that's in need of a little (or a lot) of TLC. Which renovation projects should you focus on first if your budget is tight? And why?
According to Buildworld, the average spend on "necessary repairs" is about $13,000, and "practical upgrades" cost about $6,000. We asked experts to help identify the fixer-upper projects that make the most sense right out of the gate as well as those that will give you the most bang for your buck. Here's what the industry insiders had to say, along with a few tips on how to get organized as you embark on your fixer-upper facelift.
Kim Cornelison
Before You Start Remodeling
First things first: It's essential to understand what work should be done for safety reasons and to prevent costly challenges down the road. The best way to do this is to have a professional assess your newly purchased home and use that insight to develop a game plan.
"Create a priority list and start with what must be fixed," says Robbie Maynard, San Diego-based interior designer and owner of Robbie Interiors. "Hire an inspector to look for potential issues or hazards with electrical, plumbing, and the roof. It's a good idea to start with the structure and take care of items like electrical, which can be a potential fire hazard, as well as plumbing issues so that you don't end up with major problems or damage in the future. You will not see a great transformation, but it brings peace of mind."
Hiring an expert to create a cost estimate for your renovations can give you a realistic assessment of how much money you'll need to accomplish each item on the list and help you decide what you can afford to do first. And remember, while safety repairs are likely to be among the most expensive, they're critical to laying the proper groundwork for subsequent projects.
"Upgrading plumbing and electrical is always expensive," says AmyLynn Schwartzbard, owner of New York City-based Life Designs Group. "A two-bedroom, two-bath home could run $25,000-plus for all new electrical wiring and outlets. Plumbing could run $15,000-plus. But the additional work isn't worth doing if the inner runnings of the home are in disarray."
John Bessler
1. Refresh Rooms with Paint
Once you've addressed safety matters, you can turn your attention to aesthetic renovation projects and upgrades. Adding a new coat of paint throughout your home can make a big difference without a big investment, says Stephanie Lindsey, principal designer with Texas-based Etch Design Group.
"A fresh coat of paint on walls goes a long way for our mental health," says Lindsey. "We feel rejuvenated and like we have a clean slate to start a new chapter. You can paint walls, cabinets, or even your front door for a fresh new look."
The best part: a paint project can cost as little as $50, depending on the scope. Maynard also notes that paint almost always needs a refresh anyway when a home transitions from one owner to the next. "New paint is the first thing that makes a huge impact," says Maynard. "The great thing is you can paint yourself and save on this one."
For an added style boost, consider painting an accent or focal wall, which is generally the wall you first see when entering a room. It might also be the wall where your sofa or your bed is located. "Dark gray or smoky green or blue are all popular colors," says Maynard.
Werner Straube
2. Install New Flooring
Another project that can make a tremendous and immediate difference in a fixer-upper is flooring. Maynard recommends luxury vinyl plank flooring to save money, which runs about $5 a square foot.
"It's the best thing since sliced bread," says Maynard. "It looks like real wood for a fraction of the cost. I love the chevron or herringbone patterns, which I have been specifying in many of my projects. Luxury vinyl plank is also water-resistant and can be used in bathrooms. New flooring and paint will transform your fixer-upper right before your eyes."
Not only will new flooring brighten a fixer-upper visually, but tackling this type of change early on can be much easier logistically. Once you've moved in and your furniture and personal belongings fill every room, redoing flooring can be challenging at best.
"It can be downright unbearable while the work is being done," says Ron Leffler, of Virginia-based Ron Leffler Real Estate. "It usually takes several days from beginning to end. The smell from the fresh polyurethane [if you're refinishing hardwood floors] can also take a day or two to dissipate."
One additional consideration: the color you select for your vinyl flooring or floor stain will also help set the stage for future updates in your home.
Kim Cornelison
3. Upgrade the Exterior
Exterior upgrades are also an important consideration for fixer-uppers and can be more affordable than interior changes, which often require plumbing and other system improvements. The 2020 U.S. Houzz & Home Study found that 21% of renovating homeowners tackled roofing, windows and skylights, and exterior paint projects at a median spend of $8,000, $3,900, and $1,000, respectively. Outdoor yard and landscaping projects are also a good idea, says realtor Jennifer Thomson.
"Don't forget about your fixer-upper's curb appeal; the neighbors will thank you and you will be able to enjoy your yard in the summer months," says Thomson, who recommends adding grass for starters. "If you use fast-growing grass seed, you will have a lush lawn surrounding your home in no time. Most homeowners spend between $450 and $900 on lawn seeding a 5,000-square-foot lawn. When it comes time to sell your fixer-upper, the curb appeal will add thousands to the value of your home."
Bermuda grass germinates in as little as seven to 10 days, while Buffalo grass can take two weeks to 30 days, says Thomson. Yet another option is Centipede grass, which has a germination time of 14 to 21 days.
Edmund Barr
4. Remodel Your Kitchen
It's no secret that kitchens are often among the priciest renovations homeowners embark upon—because who doesn't want a dream kitchen with all of the bells and whistles right? The good news is that a kitchen renovation doesn't have to cost a small fortune. And furthermore, you might want to prioritize your spending on this space given just how big of a role kitchens play in everyday life. (Not to mention the solid return on investment you're likely to get.)
"The kitchen is one of the most used and important spaces in the home," says Maynard, noting that one way to save costs on improvements in this room is by simply painting your cabinets if they're in good shape, or refinishing them. Taking this approach could cost anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500, Maynard estimates.
If the doors are not in good shape and won't be much improved with paint, refacing (replacing the doors) can be another budget-friendly cabinet upgrade option. Costs range from $5,000 to $7,000, says Maynard. Bottom line: kitchen renovations do not have to cost in excess of $15,000 or $20,000.
"Everyone thinks a kitchen remodel is super expensive, but it doesn't have to be. The Home Depot cabinets can look great. There are discount granite shops that will cut and install your countertop for much less than the high-end showroom places. I flip houses in California and can get an entire kitchen remodel for under $12,000," says Nancy Chillag of 23rd Street Investors.
Chillag's tricks of the trade include sourcing granite at warehouses, not showrooms, where you can purchase more affordable materials for a countertop upgrade. She also suggests searching for kitchen fixtures and other items at Lowe's or similar big-box, high-volume stores as opposed to high-end showrooms.
Peter Molick
5. Replace Windows
Installing new windows might not be the cheapest project to tackle initially, depending on who you buy them from (and you should definitely shop around.) But this is an improvement that can pay for itself over the long run by saving you money on utility bills.
"Old windows might have air leaks, which can cause your furnace or HVAC system to work overtime and increase your bills," says Andrew Wilson, a home improvement contractor based in Madison, Wisconsin. "Plus, it also makes living in the home comfier when you don't have to worry about the cold breeze or warm summer heat entering through the windows seasonally."
John Granen
6. Repair Drywall and Ceilings
Yet another home improvement project to consider early on for logistical reasons is major drywall or ceiling repairs, including moving walls. Like flooring, this type of work is best tackled before moving in.
"Removing popcorn ceiling texture? It's a messy job and much easier to do when you don't have to worry about getting furniture or floors wet and dirty," says Robert Taylor, a rehabber based in Sacramento, California, who's been fixing and flipping homes for more than 15 years.
While most homeowners can remove popcorn ceiling on their own, you'll likely need someone to come through to retape and texture the ceiling, says Taylor, owner of The Real Estate Solutions Guy. Expect removal of acoustic ceiling texture and retexturing to cost around $2 to $3 per square foot, says Taylor.
How to Get the Most for Your Money
Whether you choose to start with new flooring, kitchen renovations, updated ceilings, or drywall, if you're hiring a professional to do the work, it's best to shop around to make sure you're getting a good price. This will also help you develop a more complete picture of the expenses involved.
"Get at least three qualified quotes from contractors to do the work," says John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada, a platform that helps homeowners manage renovations. "This is where you start to see what the total cost of the project is beyond material costs, because the contractor quotes will include their labor costs, their tools costs, insurance costs, and their goals for profit on the project."
One more point about selecting a contractor: the lowest bid is not always the best bid, even when you're on a tight budget.
"Hire the right contractor, don't hire the cheapest contractor to save money," says Chillag. "It will cost you more money in the long run. Get recommendations for contractors, interview them, and talk to their prior clients. A good contractor will look at your remodel wish list and give you advice on how to save money and what order to do things in so that you're not undoing work later on in the remodel process."
Final Considerations
Buying a fixer-upper can be a wise way to get into homeownership on a budget. It can also be a monumental undertaking and a labor of love, particularly if you intend to stay in the home for the long haul rather than simply flip it in a few years. No matter which camp you're in, make sure you thoroughly understand the work that needs to be done and why before diving into any projects. After all, mistakes can be costly and if your budget is already tight, it's best to spend your money judiciously as a new homeowner. Doing this requires being educated about your choices.
"One of the biggest tips anyone should know about renovating a fixer-upper is ensure the correct thing is being fixed. A common mistake is people thinking for instance that if floors aren't leveled correctly, they need to replace the flooring. That's a costly mistake since most of the time it's not a flooring issue, but instead a problem with the home foundation," says Wilson, the home improvement contractor. "It's essential to be sure that what's actually causing the issue is what's being fixed."
Television stars Dave and Jenny Marrs share more about renovating a fixer-upper on our new podcast, The Better Buy, where they share more information about budgeting, DIY ideas, and finding your dream house.
