If you’ve ventured into the world of renovations, you know that running low on renovation funds is a genuine issue. You might have set aside a budget for what you thought the renovations would cost, but we all know that this can get blown completely out of the water, often leading to expenses 2x, 5x, or even 10x higher than anticipated.
However, all is not lost. We’ve discovered that taking on free or low-cost jobs for a few months can really help you buy some time to re-save, all while continuing to make progress on your renovation. Let’s be honest, these are probably jobs you’ve been putting off anyway!
Take a look at our list below:
1. Wallpaper Stripping
Some people love it, some people hate it, but when you’re running low on renovation funds, wallpaper stripping is a great job to get done. If you enjoy this kind of task, I envy you—it bores me to tears! However, it’s very cost-effective. All you need are:
- Washing up bowl
- Fairy liquid
- Wallpaper scraper
- Black bin bags for disposal
And that’s it! With these simple tools, you can start stripping wallpaper in your home. If you’re in the midst of a renovation project, there are likely plenty of walls to tackle.
Even if you start in a room you haven’t yet touched, you’ll be doing yourself a favour. This way, when your renovation funds are replenished, you can focus on the more enjoyable tasks without worrying about the tedious wallpaper stripping.
2. Sanding
Another tedious task in my eyes, but an important one nonetheless. If you’re low on renovation funds, beggars can’t be choosers—you’ll need to find these kinds of jobs to keep the renovation moving forward while waiting for more money to come in.
There’s always sanding to be done in a renovation project. Areas that typically need sanding include:
- Skirting boards
- Coving
- Door frames
- Doors
- Handrails
- Bannisters
- Floorboards (if you’re keeping the original boards)
By tackling these sanding jobs while waiting for your next paycheque, you’ll be well ahead when it comes to finishing off that room or space once your funds are replenished.
3. Trips to the Recycling Centre
Who doesn’t love waiting in the queue at the local recycling centre with a car full of 50-year-old dust and carpets that should never see the light of day again? That’s why this next job is a great free project when your renovation funds are running low.
We often rip stuff out of the house and pile it up, ready for the tip run that never seems to happen. This results in an enormous pile of junk that we should have taken to the recycling centre the day we removed it.
I’ll tell you now, there’s nothing more satisfying than a clean and tidy renovation house, especially if you’ve been living in dust for weeks due to ongoing projects. So, this is your sign to load up that car and spend the weekend ferrying all your rubbish to the tip. You’ll be thankful once you’re back and the house isn’t full of months of renovation waste.
4. Have a Good Tidy Up
Everyone has that one room in the house that becomes the dumping ground. If you’re living in a renovation like my wife and I are, you’ll know that stuff just gets shuffled from room to room depending on which one we’re renovating next.
This next job is perfect for when renovation funds are running low because it costs absolutely nothing to roll up your sleeves and organise the dumping ground. Get in there and have a big throwout (this can link with your tip runs!) and start putting things where they need to be. Even if it’s just temporarily until you renovate that room, the satisfaction you’ll feel when you walk into a tidy space will fill you with joy, trust me.
5. Get on Top of Your Life Admin
Use this lull in renovations as an opportunity to get on top of your life admin. When renovation funds are low, it’s the perfect time to sit for a minute and catch up on those essential tasks. Here are some jobs to tackle:
- Make sure you’re not overpaying for bills
- Cancel any unnecessary subscriptions
- Update your address on your driving licence, with your bank, and on other legal documents
- Create a budgeting spreadsheet (you’ve run out of funds, so you clearly need one)
- Check when your car needs its Tax/MOT sorted
- Update your diary with any upcoming weddings, parties, birthdays, etc.
- Plan your next renovation project
There are so many jobs you can catch up on, getting everything in order and ready for when the money rolls back in and you’re extremely busy again.
6. Garden Clearing
Much like having piles of renovation waste hanging around, the garden often gets overlooked until the end of the renovation jobs. So, why not tackle some of the following tasks in your garden when renovation funds are running low:
- Weeding
- Mowing the lawn
- Clearing the borders
- Planning out what you want the garden to look like
- Cutting down any overgrown trees and bushes
- Organising your greenhouse
- Cleaning and tidying the patio (if you have one)
Use this downtime to create a solid plan for your garden, ready for when you have the funds again to make the big changes you’ve always wanted.
Conclusion
Renovating your home can be thrilling but also a serious strain on your wallet. Running low on renovation funds is a common issue, but it doesn’t mean your project has to come to a grinding halt. By tackling these free or low-cost jobs, you can keep things moving and make real progress while you save up again.
Stripping wallpaper, sanding, making trips to the recycling centre, having a good tidy up, getting on top of your life admin, and clearing the garden are all brilliant ways to stay productive without spending more cash. These tasks help you push forward with your renovation and ensure that when your funds are back, you can dive straight into the fun parts.
So, roll up your sleeves, get stuck into these jobs, and make the most of this downtime. You’ll thank yourself later when your renovation funds are replenished, and you can focus on the big changes that will make your home truly shine. Happy renovating!
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