How do I prioritize my spending when renovating?

I’ve had this conversation with almost every client I work with. Rarely are budgets endless, and when shopping for finishes the most expensive selections have a tendency to find you!

One common thing I always tell clients:

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Let me explain; don’t compare that group 4 granite you love to the less expensive group 1. Instead, ask yourself - if my renovation was done with this group 1 granite, would it still be beautiful? Do I like it? Do the colours work? Is the only reason why I am steered away from it is because I saw the group 4?

The second, is an explanation of what is harder to remove or replace later. Here is what I mean, broken down by selection:

- Lighting can be sold and swapped out easily and quickly, but the placement of the light fixture requires a few more steps.

- Flooring is one of the hardest things to replace, so I always suggest a lot of thought goes into these selections, especially if it is something other than click vinyl.

- When building my own home, I opted for laminate counters (they have come a long way!) in the second floor bathrooms and laundry - I knew that I could easily swap them out for quartz when/if I ever wanted to.

- Plumbing is mostly similar to lighting in the sense that swapping out a kitchen faucet is pretty easy, but be careful in the shower - rough in valves aren’t compatible with every trim kit you may want in the future.

- Cabinetry, especially in the kitchen, is something I give permission to splurge on! It is the most used by you and the most seen by guests. It is also usually one of the highest investments during a renovation and if it isn’t quality - you will be able to tell within just a few years if not sooner. When it comes to resale, a renovated kitchen is a huge value since everyone knows how much of a pain it can be and how it can easily snowball into replacing flooring, paint, wall tile, etc.

- Interior doors and hardware are a pretty easy swap later on, however there is often a lot of them, so the cost can add up very quickly!

- Lastly, we all know paint is an easy and affordable DIY for most, but repainting a whole house can be quite the task! Many designers offer paint consultations, so it may be worth your while to get a professionals opinion on this one.

A renovation or new build requires A LOT of decisions, and they all end up affecting and intertwining with one another. After helping more than 50 people selection finishes, prioritizing where to spend and where to save has become quite the art form!

If you need help prioritizing with your next renovation - hit that contact button and lets chat :)