1. DIY

If you’ve never lifted a hammer in your life, now is the time to start. Buy a book, take a class, but goddammit, learn about that house you’ve just spent your life savings on! No skills? Come on, there must be something you can do. Demolition is fun. Or how difficult can it be to paint a room?

2. Be your own General Contractor

Even if you don’t have the skills, there are still some ways to save money by going the DIY route. Do you have management skills? GC your own job. There are very few contractors out there who are great at everything they do. And if they are, trust me, they charge for it! If you have the time, hire and oversee each individual contractor….the plumber, electrician, floor guy/gal, plasterer, rocker, painter, etc.

3. Salvage! Salvage! Salvage!

I’m not just saying that because I like old crap. Why create waste in the landfills when you can reuse materials? Try to salvage existing flooring and cabinets in your home. If you cannot, you can always find second hand material Build It Green or Green Demolitions. Places like Eddie’s and Silver Fox have all the antique details you’ll need to properly restore your old home.

4. Sales, Liquidation and Inventory Overrun

Sometimes companies list sales, but even if you don’t see it, it’s always good to ask. Think discontinued items, slightly damaged goods and returned custom orders. They don’t want to sit on this stuff and the price difference can be significant! Check out Overstock.com for kitchen and bath hardware and tools.

5. Craig is your man!

Craig for Vice President! My life revolves around Craigslist. Forget buying from companies. They want to make a profit. There are people out there who just want to get this stuff out of their homes. They ordered too much flooring. The brand new kitchen isn’t their taste. They want a modern look and that marble mantle just doesn’t fit in. Be sure to search the free offerings first.

6. Save on paint

You know you can buy previously opened cans of paint for a song? Sometimes people buy the wrong thing and need to return it. I just did it the other day. They gave me semi-gloss when I asked for flat. I painted half a wall before I figured it out. I know that Home Depot has them. Not sure about other paint store. Places like Hudson Valley Materials Exchange in New Paltz sells them too. You’ll just have to settle on the colors they have available, is all.

7. Again with the Craig

Some DIYers buy tools for the job and resell them when finished. There’s no need to buy new tools unless you’ll be doing this all the time. Things like the Silent Paint Remover, tile cutters or old cement mixers can be good buys. If you rent these tools, it could possibly cost more than buying if the job takes a long time.

8. Appliance rebates and tax incentives

Check out the Energy Star site for new appliance incentives. You’ll not only be saving money when purchasing them, but running energy efficient appliances over the long run will help in a big way.

9. High end contractors for less

Retired contractors. Fireman contractors. Guys or gals working for a high end company, but looking to take on extra work for themselves. All trained and highly skilled, but at a fraction of the cost because it’s just a side job.

10. Negotiate

I don’t like doing it, but I hear it works. Try it with everyone from contractors to kitchen showrooms. Let’s make a deal, Monte!