If you were going to make a cake, you would need to purchase the best quality ingredients if you were going to create the most delicious bake. Similarly, if you’re considering embarking on a building project, it’s essential that you get the best quality materials in order to achieve the best results. To get the best cake ingredients, you would need to go to the best supermarket – to get the best building supplies, you need to go to the best supplier. There are so many different options available on the Materials Market, but the key to all of them is getting the right costs to fit your budget. How can you do that? At a time when everything is going up in price, how can you save money on building materials without skimping on the quality? Here’s a few suggestions that should help you to get the best you can with the money you have to spend:
- Shop around.
As with most purchases, it pays to shop around when you’re looking for building materials. Get quotes from lots of different suppliers and don’t go for the first price you get quotes. Visit different dealers, shop around different suppliers, collect several difference quotes. You will be able to work out which supplier offers the best value for money by comparing the quotes you work hard to collect. Avoid the disappointment that comes when you opted for the first choice, only to realise that better offers would come along later. Take your take and compare prices to get yourself the best deal. Also make sure to get a sample of the material along with your quote so that you can fully understand the quality of the material being offered and compare that too. This will take a little time and patience, but it will be worth your diligence in the future.
2. Hop on board clearance sales.
Let’s be honest, we all love a bargain, so when you can get a material of high quality at a fraction of the cost in a clearance sale, that’s a happy day. In order to truly get the benefit of a good sale, you may need to visit a material supplier in person and browse their store in person. Many suppliers only have a limited amount of storage space for keeping all the materials they sell, so when new stock comes in many stores offer sales for the older, slower moving stock. Significant discounts will save you a lot of money while allowing you to purchase a quality of material that may previously have been out of your budget. Keep an eye out for sales and visit stores regularly to see what offers they have available. The one word of caution is to make sure there is the stock available to complete your project. Discounted stock may only have a limited amount available to purchase, and you don’t want to get half way through a flooring project only to realise that you’ve run out of vinyl and it’s no longer available to buy!
3. Take the initiative and ask for discounts.
It might feel a little cheeky and take a little courage, but you could save yourself a lot of money by being proactive and asking for discounts. This could especially pay off if you are buying building materials in bult. Some dealers are happier to accept cash and will take a lower price if cash is available. Other suppliers may offer a free delivery service as part of a discount. Whatever form this discount takes, be sure to make the most of it. It will save you money and help you to keep the whole project below budget. As they say, if you don’t ask, you don’t get! So don’t be afraid to ask for a discount where you can.
4. Do your research.
Look beyond the brand and check for quality, testing, and certification. Particularly, if you are wanting to purchase sustainable construction materials, it’s important that you check reviews and legal certifications to ensure that you are spending your money in the right places. Don’t just go for a supplier with a flashy advertising strategy or a household brand name. You’ll come to regret your decision if it simply based on hearsay and not solid evidence. Getting to know the brand and the quality it provides will help you to make the best decision and get the best price.
5. Don’t be afraid to be bold.
Stand your ground, be upfront and don’t be a pushover. When you get faced with an eyewatering price, don’t take it lying down. You don’t want to end up paying more than you need to, and there will likely be some room for haggling if you persevere with it. Be open and upfront with the supplier and challenge a price that you think is too high. Even if they can’t match the price you want, they may be able to meet in the middle and offer other compromises to help you close the deal in an amicable way. Showing this boldness and perseverance will pay off and you could eventually find that you’ve saved yourself a lot of money by simply being a little more forthright.
You Can Save Money on Your Project
Whether you’re planning a project of building or renovation, there are lots of tips to help you keep the costs down while still achieving the highest quality results. Set a clear budget from the start and do all you can to complete the project beneath that. There are always going to be hiccups and unexpected expenses, so if you can cut some costs in the ways we’ve discussed today you’ll be glad you did. It’s never too early to start planning and researching, as locking in on materials, suppliers and prices from the start will help you to deal with the uncertainty of inflation as your project continues. With time, effort and thought, you can recreate your home without breaking the bank.
