Our reno decisions to save 💵:
1️⃣ No major hacking
We only hacked what was necessary so our vinyl flooring and new skirting could sit properly.
2️⃣ Retain features still in good condition
🛁 Toilets: kept them since they were renovated less than 5 years ago.
🚪 Doors: kept all the existing doors. Replacing a fire-rated front door can cost over $1K, so we left ours as-is.
🗄️ Built-ins: reused some of the shelves and storage left behind by the previous owner.
3️⃣ Mini upgrades, not full replacements
🎨 Painted the front door to match our new gate (the old gate couldn’t be saved).
🛠️ Swapped out rusty room door handles ourselves — cost us ~$50 each vs. $500+ if done by contractor. Proud of this little DIY win 😅👏
🚿 Toilets: replaced only what mattered (toilet bowls, shower sets, mirrors → upgraded to mirror cabinets).
What would you keep these if you were renovating a resale flat? Let us know!
When renovating a resale flat, it's tempting to replace everything for a fresh look, but practical restraint can save a lot of money and time. For example, keeping existing doors, especially if fire-rated or still in good condition, avoids costly replacements. We also retained all window grilles and built-ins left by the previous owner, which provided useful storage without additional expense. Doing small upgrades instead of full replacements made a huge difference. Painting the main door to complement a new gate gave the entrance a refreshed look without the cost of a new door. Swapping out rusty door handles ourselves was a rewarding DIY win, costing just around $50 each compared to contractors quoting $500+. Simple changes like upgrading toilet fixtures and adding mirror cabinets also improved the bathrooms without a full renovation. In addition, minimal hacking was done only where absolutely necessary for fitting new vinyl flooring and skirting. This careful approach keeps the structural integrity and saves on labor costs. I also liked that we avoided unnecessary spending on items like blinds and wardrobes, inheriting them from the previous owners in good condition. Overall, patience, planning, and DIY effort can keep your renovation budget under control while still achieving a fresh and comfortable home environment. If you’re thinking about remodeling your resale flat, assess what’s already in good shape and focus your budget on targeted improvements rather than a full overhaul.
if u intend to make blinds, you can try JB. It cost me less than $1k, more than 50% savings. The people came over to take measurements and the quote on the spot