How to cut costs on a DIY garage reno project   

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How to cut costs on a DIY garage reno project   

Getting ready for a low-budget garage remodel? Save yourself money and stress MI-BOX mobile storage.

Summer is right around the corner, and that means remodel season!

The most common reno projects are bathrooms and kitchens for apparent reasons. Garages may not be as high traffic, but a functional and well-organized garage can alleviate a lot of clutter, allowing for smoother day-to-day living.

So, what does a dream garage cost?

A professional reno project averages at about 11k and can easily slip upwards of 15K…yikes. 

It’s no wonder that a ton of folks opt for DIY renovations to save a substantial amount of cash. It’s obviously quite the journey, so here are some tips to help cut down on cost. 

Planning and budgeting ahead can save you a lot of $$

Rule number one for best practice is to always lay out a realistic plan and budget to try and limit overspending. 

This will mean creating a wishlist and doing some in-person or online research to get a better feel for cost and what will fit. That wishlist will turn into a realistic checklist that will keep you organized throughout the project. 

It’s also best to keep a bit of money on the side in case there are any unexpected issues ahead. 

Once you’ve got your plan, stick to it, and you’ll save yourself a lot of future headaches.  

Keep, sell, donate and demolish

Arguably, one of the most tedious parts of a renovation is going through all your belongings to figure out what stays and what goes…ew.

At this point, you’ll probably want to throw in the towel, but don’t give up! There are some amazing benefits of decluttering. 

  1. Clean looking space, which makes it easier to find what you’re looking for, so you can get back to doing the things you like or need to do. 
  1. Make some extra cash by selling what you don’t want or need, so you can pick up a few more things on your project wishlist or treat yourself to something else. 
  1. Donate stuff that is taking up too much space in your home, and feel good for making a difference in the community and in someone’s life. 

These are all major wins for everyone, even though it’s probably the least enjoyable part of the construction project. 

Now the fun begins! Let go of all the frustrations and annoyances of the day, week, month, or even year, with demolition tools. Sooo satisfying. 

Deep clean time

Maybe I lied a little…THIS is probably the least enjoyable part of the project. Definitely, a reason for most people to put the rest of the project on the back burner, but you’re halfway to the finish line! 

It’s a good time to call in any favours from friends or family. Sweeten the deal a bit with some pizza and a few drinks, and you can turn this phase into a not-so-bad experience. 

Also, take a trip to the dollar store and save big on garbage bags, cleaning supplies and cleanup gadgets. Don’t forget to make your way down the treat aisle to stock up on serotonin-boosting snacks. You might as well tackle cleanup with a snickers bar in hand. 

Hate to bring this up right after talking about food, but this part of the project is a great time to look for any signs of invasive pests living in your garage rent-free. Take a look at some Youtube videos for DIY preventative pest control protocols to make sure you have no issues later down the road. 

Paint, Construction and done!

Does your garage already have drywall installed? You’re lucky and can move straight to a fresh coat of paint. Homedepot, Canadian Tire and even Wal-Mart have some great and inexpensive paint options. However, you can test your luck on Kijiji or Facebook marketplace for even cheaper or free paint. 

For those who still need to add drywall or replace it, you COULD hire a pro to get the job done, but if you’re trying to save your budget, there are great DIY video tutorials on Youtube. Another option is browsing through Kijiji to see if any experienced labourers are looking for a side project. You’ve got some inexpensive options. 

If you haven’t already picked out new shelving units, workbenches, tire racks or even freezers for extra food storage, take a look through some ads on Kijiji, Facebook marketplace, garage sales and even second-hand stores. Summer is a moving season, so you never know what treasures you can repurpose.

Have you saved a lot of your budget for brand new shelving and furniture? Take a look at IKEA shelving, as it’s some of the most customizable units at competitive prices. They often have sales and incentives that you can take advantage of. 

Once everything has been built and secured in place for safety, you can enjoy an often overlooked part of the home as a functional extension of everyday living. Well worth the effort and every penny spent.  

Where to store everything while you work

As you have read, a garage reno is a lot of work, but there are ways to help make things easier. A lot of folks may not think about where they are going to store equipment, supplies and garage furnishings while they work.

You could shove everything into a room in the house, but let’s face it, it interrupts the daily flow, and every time you need something, you’ll have to walk in and out of the house. 

But what if you had a portable renovation storage container placed just a few steps away from the garage door with secure 24-hour access?  

That’s precisely what you get with MI-BOX mobile storage units. They are designed to fit right on your driveway with easy step-in access for ultimate convenience. They are also built tough to prevent your belongings from being damaged and from being targeted by sneaky thieves. 

When you’re done for the day, simply lock up and for the night until you’re ready to keep working on your dream garage. 

And the best part? You can keep the unit for as long as you need. 

How does MI-BOX residential storage work? 

Just give us a call or contact us online. Let us know the size of the project and roughly how many garage furnishings and tools you’ll need to store. We’ll help you choose the best size mobile storage for your project. 

  • Small: 8ft – perfect for quick and smaller facelifts 
  • Medium: 16ft – an excellent choice for larger projects with all new garage furnishings 
  • Large: 20ft – your best bet to store tools, new drywall, furnishings and new freezers

Once you’ve chosen a date, one of our expert drivers will drop off your mobile unit and level it perfectly on your driveway using our impressive state-of-the-art lift technology. Once you’re done with the unit, give us a call, and we’ll pick it up. It’s that easy. 

Worried about your driveway staining during rainy days? No sweat! Each storage container is made from galvanized steel, so your driveway will be rust-free. 

Let us join you on your DIY adventure! 

Here at MI-BOX, we understand how stressful a new construction project can be, so we strive to make your experience with us 100% hassle and stress-free. 

Ready to team up with us and get your mobile storage? Click here to get your free online quote today! 

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