5 tips to save money on home renovations

Ready to remodel?

Let's face it: Home renovations can be expensive. It's tough nowadays to find the kind of money it requires, but you may not need to put off those upgrades. Other Americans aren't. There's been a 17 percent increase in kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects over the past two years, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders. Other popular projects, according to the survey, are replacing windows and doors, repairing property damage, and adding rooms.

If you want to start your dream renovation project, you can do so by finding creative ways to work within your budget. One of the best ways to save is being flexible in your design. It's not hard to find stores carrying discontinued, overstock or unneeded special-ordered items, and that can mean big savings for you. Leah Ingram, founder of SuddenlyFrugal.com, saved 50 percent on her patio pavers by shopping at a store that was closing. "It may limit your color or what you're able to do with design," she says, "but for us, price was more important."

Here are five other ways to save when renovating your home.

Buying lights, tile, faucets and even appliances online can make sense, but know what you're getting and don't let delivery costs eat up the savings.

The pros: You can save hundreds of dollars on an item by searching online for the best price using the model number, says Dan Fritschen, author of "Remodel or Move? Make the Right Decision." Make sure to include shipping costs, he adds.

The cons: If you haven't seen the item in person, it may look different than its online photo. And if it's not what you want or is damaged, returns can be a hassle. "My issue with buying stuff online for home renovation is if you have a problem," says Ingram. "I'd feel much more comfortable buying that stuff in person."

Keep in mind: If you want to buy online, do it far in advance, says Fritschen. It could arrive damaged or delayed. "Delaying your remodel to save $100 is typically not a savings," he says. Also make sure you know the store's return policy and customer service availability before buying.

Are you buying a lot of tile for your bathroom? Ask for a volume discount. Think outside the box: Get more customers for the vendor, and use that to wrangle a lower price. When Ingram installed a new fence, she contacted interested neighbors. "By getting more business for the fence company, we were all able to get a discount," she says.

The pros: "If you are friendly and considerate, oftentimes you can get a small discount of up to 10 percent," says Fritschen. If you're not comfortable with being nice and asking for a discount when hiring a contractor, just be upfront and say, "This is what I want to get done, and this is my budget. How can you work with me?" says Ingram. An interested contractor will offer creative ways to save money, such as sourcing closeout products or leaving easier jobs for you to do.

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5 tips to save money on home renovations