What will you do if you have $2000 to renovate your house ?

7 Comments

1. grey_sky_morning84 says:

   February 24, 2010 at 11:06 am

   I’d go with new countertops in my kitchen, because mine are pretty shabby.
2. messy says:

   February 27, 2010 at 6:38 pm

   liefde-zetel (bank)
3. Woodworkingmenace says:

   March 2, 2010 at 12:25 pm

   Well, first I would take care of “cosmetic” things, such as painting the entire house. Inside that is. 500 max for painting… (and thats good paint “Sherwin Wiliams or Sears” if you own your own home, cheap “Odd Lots, or Big Lots” if your renting…because most landlords in my area paint everything either pink or blue…sheesh, what gaudy colors!).

   Now, since you dont ‘have anything’, check out the thrift stores and get some furniture in there, so you can live. Few houndred bucks and you can outfit an entire house with furniture and nik-naks and make it a home.
   Goodwill, or Salvation Army thrift stores have a lot to offer… (They are HUGE Business around my area!)…

   I figure about 500 for everything you need, since you have fridge and beds…

   Out door furniture “300 bucks”, (you did say this was a house, hopefully a yard too), and a lawn mower “200 bucks” should take care of that 2 grand for you and you should be happy with your new found paradise:)

   I wish you well…

   Oh, my first house? I went on trash day, “clean up” its called around my neck of the woods, (They have it for several weeks in the Spring and Fall pick ups), when they throw out everything and got all the stuff I needed for the entire house! From carpets, to stove and refridgerators…(I am amazed at what people throw out, that is still usable! Cause I used a lot of that stuff for years, until I could afford better…)..

   Jesse
4. charlottedjones says:

   March 5, 2010 at 10:16 pm

   I would start by painting and then find some larger furniture pieces. I don’t think I would do the “used” furniture route for a sofa, something about laying your head on something and you don’t know where it came from grosses me out. Ashley furniture has quite a few styles under $400. After the sofa, I would shop at places like Ikea for storage furniture, some of the items are quite nice in quality, you just have to look at the material it’s made from and make sure it’s solid wood. You can go to a carpet store and get a carpet remnant for about $40 to use as an area carpet. Then you can hit the thrift stores for accessories such as lamps, picture frames, etc. For artwork, go to art.com, you can find posters in most subjects for under $10, mount it in your thrift store frame, it will look great. If you have anything left, get fabric, Wal-mart usually has a $1 per yard section and make curtains. You don’t have to sew them, you can use the iron on tape, they will add a lot of impact to the room for not a lot of money.
5. waterwidget says:

   March 7, 2010 at 2:38 pm

   $2000 ain’t gonna take you very far
6. ktbelle_1 says:

   March 8, 2010 at 2:21 am

   Jesse has some really good suggestions. I would change a few things:

   Paint – Since you are on a budget I wouldn’t go for the most expensive paint – Lowes (or any home improvement store) sells a good quality paint at a medium price. You could do a faux finish in some places to add a little punch.

   Furniture is also important. Before you go out and buy anything – talk to family, friends and co-workers. Lots of times people will have something they want to get rid of and would be happy to give it to you if you’ll just go and pick it up.

   From your comments it sounds like you need a stove too. Some repair places fix up old stoves and resell them. If not check with your local home improvement store – you should be able to pick up a basic stove for about $300.

   For a dining table and chairs check with a local super store, walmart, kmart, target. You can get a table and four chairs for under $200.

   The thrift shop route is the way to go for sofa, chairs, coffee table, throw rug, lamps, etc…. You could even find some wall art or things you can use to create wall art. If the sofa and chair don’t match – slip covers are the answer. If you sew, you could make your own. I’ve made several with material I got for $1 a yard at my local walmart.

   Jesse is right, you’ll need a lawn mower. I’d also get some Round-up and spray it around the edge of everything – it will save you from having to get a weed eater to trim around the edges of everything. I’d limit the outdoor furniture to a couple of those resin chairs and a small table and spend some money on the actual landscaping. A few plants in the right places will add alot to the curb apeal of your home.

   Start with one room at a time, hang on tight to your money and use your imagination.
7. violamom74 says:

   March 9, 2010 at 2:03 am

   I would look at what is most needed?
   In no order of priority:
   1. Roof-else you have nothing
   2. Heating-if you are north, you need heat
   3. Windows-if your windows suck, you literally throw your money away
   4. Wiring/Plumbing-no fire hazards or leaky pipes
   5. Do you have any water problems such as leaky basement?
   6. Then go cosmetic, if you have all your appliances taken care of.