What's Worth The Money:
- Revamp exterior components — including the front door, windows, roof and siding — or replace an old brick facade on the front of your home.
- Upgrade the electrical system to a minimum of 100 amps if you’re in an older home.
- Add moulding to ceilings and floors in living- and dining-room areas.
What You Can Do Yourself:
- Do low-skills jobs yourself. For instance, clean up the site after contractors leave each night.
- Purchase building materials (e.g. tiles, paint, plumbing parts) yourself, rather than pay someone to pick them up.
- Pay by the project, not the hour. Some professionals will stretch a job out just to pump you for money.
What To Watch Out For:
- Overcharging for faucets and other kitchen hardware purchased at a discount and then marking them up — by up to 200 per cent — is a common contractor scam.
- Contractors may recommend replacing air-conditioning systems, heating units and water tanks when all that’s needed is a new filter or for a line to be unclogged.
- Be aware that contractors may do the minimal prep work before painting a house. Make sure upper areas have been properly scraped, sanded, patched and primed.
http://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/money/how-save-money-home-renovations?id=2