Looking for Flat

Anyone who has ever renovated knows how horrifyingly expensive the whole process can be. Whoever dreamt a bathroom tap could cost the same as an air fare to Bali, or that the price of a medium-sized kitchen compares with that of a medium-sized family car?

Renovating is expensive at any time, but especially now, with interest rates on a steady upward climb, and inflation keeping building materials priced increasingly high. More than ever, it helps to know where you can save cash on your renovation.

The good news is there are all sorts of ways to get discounts on renovating materials and fittings, and it doesn’t always mean buying second hand. Auction houses, online trading sites and factory seconds stores are among the ways to save serious dollars on everything from building materials like tiles and timber, to fittings like sinks and taps or even an entire second-hand kitchen.

Whether they’re new items sold at wholesale prices, never-used factory seconds or top-quality second-hand items, you’re guaranteed to find items of equal quality to those you would find in mainstream retail stores, at a fraction of the price for your flats.

People are often put off by the effort involved in unearthing discounts, participating in auctions and finding alternative spots to shop. But the fact is, all renovating shopping takes time and research, and technology has in fact made it easier, with many factory stores and auction houses now operating online. So there’s a lot you can do without even leaving home.

So, dont buy new, buy cheapy!