Just read a home renovation blog that said the average DIYer spends 40% more on materials than a pro for the same job, which explains my kitchen cabinet budget disaster.

Has anyone found a good way to estimate material costs more accurately before you start a project, maybe an app or a simple spreadsheet trick?

3 comments

3 Comments

markt2318d ago

James is on the right track adding a percentage, but 15% for waste is often too low for a beginner. The standard rule for lumber is 20% extra for simple projects, and it can go much higher for complex tile work or flooring with lots of cuts. A spreadsheet helps, but the real trick is breaking the project into small pieces and calculating waste for each part separately. Just adding a flat percentage to the total bill will still leave you short if you don't plan for the hardest parts.

troysmith18d ago

Did you account for waste and cuts in that budget, or just the raw materials? That's where I always mess up lol.

jamesf4118d ago

Honestly I always forget that part too. I'll buy exactly what the plan says then end up short a board or two. Now I just add like 15% extra for mistakes and weird cuts.