How to get the cheapest remodel

One way to not do it, is to skip the planning phase, then rush decisions or change your mind halfway through. Don’t talk to the subs and tell them what to do behind the project managers back or start building without clear drawings, pricing, or priorities. Then get really upset when things go sideways. That’s not fun, for anyone.

The data does not lie, homeowners who save the most money are not the ones who cut corners. They are the ones who plan early and plan thoroughly.

Most people think planning is an added cost. In reality, it is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy during a build.

The Construction Industry Institute found that every dollar spent on pre-construction planning saves between three and ten dollars during construction. That is a 300% to 1000% return on investment before a single shovel hits dirt.

Why does this matter? Because every decision you do not make early becomes exponentially more expensive once construction starts, labor is on site and materials are ordered.

Once permits are pulled, changing direction at that point is not creative.

It is catastrophic to your wallet.

The real cost of “we will figure it out later”

Here is what bad planning actually looks like in dollars.

The Business Roundtable studied 1,500 construction projects and found that inadequate planning increases project costs by an average of 33%. One third of your budget evaporated because you did not do the homework upfront.

Harvard Business Review analyzed billions in construction spending and discovered that projects without detailed planning phases experienced cost overruns averaging 27% above initial estimates. Meanwhile, projects with robust planning phases came in within 2% of budget.

This is why I preach about designing and planning the project before starting. I have done it that hard way, trust me. You don’t want to deal with that and neither does your contractor.

When homeowners take time to finalize layouts, materials, and scope before breaking ground, crews work faster, materials get ordered once, and timelines compress. Time saved equals money saved.

Planning controls material and labor costs

Material cost fluctuate and labor availability changes. Planning early gives builders the ability to lock in pricing and schedule trades efficiently.

According to research from Stanford University and the University of California Berkeley, poor project planning and last minute deviations, are the single largest contributor to construction waste, responsible for up to 85% of schedule delays and budget overruns.

Every change order adds 5% to 15% to the affected scope. Stack enough of them, and you are suddenly 30% over budget wondering what happened.

A calm intentional process leads to better decisions and better results.
FMI Corporation research proves this out. They studied residential construction projects and found homeowners who invested in thorough planning reported satisfaction scores 47% higher than those who rushed into construction.

You sleep better. Your family experiences less disruption. And your finished home actually reflects what you wanted instead of what you settled for under pressure. Guess who else sleeps better? The contractor.

Planning is where winning happens.

Anyone can build, not everyone can lead a process.

The best builders front load decisions, align expectations early, and treat planning as the foundation of every successful project. That approach protects your investment, your timeline, and your peace of mind.

If you want the cheapest way to upgrade your home, do not wing it.
Start with a plan. Start with a design.

Because the most expensive construction project is the one that could have been done right the first time.

Ryan Chowansky is the owner of Bluffton Builders, LLC, www.bluffton.builders.