Budget Cuts Not For Major Items

The trouble with cutting costs by substituting a lower quality item(s) is that in the long run you can actually spend more money - and lots of it. For example, if you buy a cheap fiberglass tub and shower unit and it falls apart or the finish dulls in 3 to 5 years, imagine the cost to replace it!

The same is true for any major component. If you install a low quality furnace or air conditioner, they might cost you more to operate. They are also fairly expensive to change out in the future.

Think Ease of Installation

If you must trim your budget, look at items that can be replaced in three hours or less. Doorknobs, water heaters, an actual interior door -not the frame, carpeting, etc. If you have to do lots of demolition to replace an item, that tells you it is going to cost lots of money to replace.