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Home design and renovation is an expensive task. There’s no point trying to sugar coat and pretend it isn’t: it costs money. As yet, humanity has yet to evolve the ability to envision something, snap our fingers and poof! It

appears in front of our eyes like magic. (Come to think of it – we should really get on that…)

You know when you embark on a home improvement project that it’s going to cost you. It’s going to cost you financially, as you wave goodbye to hard-earned dollars in the worthy pursuit of a pleasurable home. It’s also going to cost you in terms of time and potentially in terms of your peace and quiet – there’s also no sugar coating that the process is pretty stressful.

Whether you’re improving a new house you just moved into or adapting your same old abode, you acknowledge the cost and then… you fight back. The first time you glance at the price of materials, you recoil from the figure that is far higher than you were anticipating.

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Still, you’re modern. You know you can use that new-fangled computer box thing to hunt down some quick fixes and cheaper options. You might even be tempted to DIY things – after all, it seems everyone online is doing it, so why should you be any different? You can save yourself a fortune!

Or… maybe not.

1. Cutting Cost Means Cutting Quality

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While the above is not always a hard and fast rule, in many cases, it will apply. Say you’re looking for new kitchen countertops. You might be tempted to try and make them yourself or to go for a cheap option, figuring that you can cope wit

h the difference in quality in exchange for the lower cost.

And sure, you might be able to – but it’s a big chance for a big ticket purchase. If you find you can’t cope with the lower quality, then you’re going to find yourself in the hole for a lot more than the original price you ran away from. If the original countertops you liked were $1000 and you bought a budget version for $500 and you then decide you hate them, then you’re going to wind up paying $1500 in total.

For items that are frequently used – hardwood floorings, countertops, bathroom cabinets – then it’s best to spend more… but only have to spend once. It’s with smaller items that are less frequently used – such as shelves, decor, wall art – that you can cut the costs.

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2. Think Health

Health considerations might not be at the top of your list when renovating, but it’s another area that you can’t afford to ignore.

When an item looks identical to another but has a much lower price tag, your first question should be: “why?”

There are non-nefarious reasons why it might be lower, of course – but there are also some unpleasant side effects. For example, they might have used chemicals that other, more ethical, companies would avoid due to known health issues. Mattresses are a great example of this; some of the fire-proof chemicals used by cheaper options are known to be hazardous. So always do your research and don’t be afraid to query a manufacturer to find out why they’re cheaper – genuine retailers should be willing to explain.

 (All posts may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy)

So, the big day is finally here! Yep, after months of planning and a LOT of stress, you are finally moving out of your old house and into your shiny new one. With the process being as difficult as it often is, you are probably breathing a sigh of relief that the whole thing is coming to a close. But remember that it’s not over until the fat lady sings – you still have a day to go before you turn the key in your new place, and this day is more important than you might think. There are plenty of specific things you need to go the day before you move – and even if you think you’re the most organized you’ve ever been in you

r life, you are bound to forget something! Here’s a foolproof checklist for that all important last day before you move.

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Packing– Yep, it goes without saying, but make sure you have everything packed and organized within an inch of its life. The golden rule is to leave any ‘essentials’ until last – so phone chargers, your children’s favorite t

oys, toiletries, etc. Ensure that you have plenty of boxes – more than you need, in fact. The last thing you need on moving day is being caught short and having to carry the last of your possessions into the van one by one! Make a point of hiring moving companies who will be able to help you dismantle certain pieces of furniture – if you don’t, you’re on your own with that one. Don’t forget any other fixtures such as curtains or lamps, if you intend to take them with you. Disconnecting your electronics before you leave is also very important, and you will need to defrost the fridge freezer too.

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Create a ‘moving day’ package– When the big day arrives, you are going to need to have certain items to hand. Once everything is packed up there’s no going back. So make sure you have all the things you need within easy reach to make the day go as smoothly as possible. These could be toys for your children, as they will get easily bored or even emotional on moving day. You may also need high-energy snacks available – after all, moving day doesn’t tend to leave much time for meals!

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Planning the route– If you are moving towns or even states, you need to be fully

prepared for a lengthy journey. Make sure your removal company knows exactly where they’re going – you may decide that you drive together, one following the other, so you guarantee that you end up with everything you need all at once. Check your satellite navigation system the night before and make sure it’s fully charged up, and the same goes for your cell phone. You never know what can happen on move day, so you will need to be contactable at all times. With any luck the day should go without a hitch, but it is a

lways better to be prepared.