Spring is just around the corner, and many homeowners are thinking of making minor and major household improvements. With some careful planning and smart choices, you can shave thousands off the cost of renovations. Here are four terrific ways to save when remodeling!

1. Don’t do a complete remodel.

It is tempting to go all out once you are remodeling, but unless structural damage demands that a room or area be completely gutted, there’s rarely a reason to start from scratch. Instead of knocking down walls and hallways, try to envision the outdated area with a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures and some minor décor changes.

Is your kitchen a total blast from the past? Instead of giving it an overhaul, consider replacing the drawer handles and knobs, staining the cabinets and refacing the moldings. Perfecting old cabinets can be a full 50% less expensive than putting in brand new ones.

2. Shop around for a contractor.

Choosing a contractor is not a decision to take lightly. You will want to find someone honest, professional and reliable – and willing to give you a decent price.

Don’t hire anyone on the spot; check out at least three different contractors before making your decision. Ask for references and meet with each contractor in person to get a feel for their character and professional conduct. Take note of whether they show up on time and their willingness to answer questions. Doing these simple tasks will provide you with important clues about their reliability. Be sure to ask your prospective contractor if they generally stick to their schedules or tend to fall behind. In this business, time is money, and a delay in a project’s completion can cost you a pretty penny.

Finally, be sure to sign a detailed contract before making any final decisions. The contract should stipulate the final cost and estimated timeframe for the project.

3. Consider long–term costs and benefits.

You don’t want to choose the most expensive option for every remodeling decision you’re going to make, but it often makes sense to pay more now if it will save you money down the line.

For example, if you are installing clapboard siding, you will save in the end by paying more for pre-primed and pre-painted boards. Using the more expensive prefinished boards means you will need half as many paint jobs in the future.

4. Pick decent but midgrade materials.

Choosing the cheapest materials usually ends up costing more in the future. However, that doesn’t mean you should select the most lavish and expensive options. In general, it is best to go with the midgrade option whenever possible.

One significant area where you will see this at play is in carpeting. Basic olefin and polyester carpeting will run you $1 to $2 per square foot, while wool costs upward of $9 to $11 per square foot.

There is a variety of financial solutions to help you pay for your renovations: Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit (HELOC), personal loan, or a SeaComm Visa® Platinum. As a member, you might already be pre-approved for a personal loan or SeaComm Visa® through our loan pre-approval program, LoanEngine™, which allows you to view and accept loan offers without having to come into a branch or fill out an application! If you qualify for a pre-approved offer, you’ll be presented with it through our SeaComm Mobile app or NetTeller™ in the “My Offers” tab, via email, and/or a letter through the mail.

You have the ability to accept offers immediately by following the prompts, or by calling into our call center at (800) 764-0566. Click here to login to your NetTeller™ to view your current offers! If you don’t have any offers at this time, be sure to check back every 60 days.