Hi I am looking for ideas on how to do a nice refurb but also save cost on it. Example, to use polished concrete instead of tiles on the bathroom. Another example, using re-claimed wood to make some furnishings. I wonder if anyone has interesting ideas to share?

I think polished concrete requires specialised skill and machinery that Somchai the builder may not have. Not worth it for a small area. Unless polished concrete imitation tiles are cheap. Cost saving really involves something that everyone has so is easy and any local builder can give you a quote.

The number one way to save money is diy....period

 

Then when you become adept at diy there are further endless opportunities to be creative by buying 2nd hand and reclaimed items.

 

Good design is not about throwing money at it, its about skill with ideas, concepts and great use of materials.

 

Personally i think to achieve all that you need to have a background in construction or design be an expert in managing money and budgets and most importantly you need to be left handed

33 minutes ago, eyecatcher said:

The number one way to save money is diy....period

Are you sure it isn't the long black haired supervisor also wanting to be economical,???? at number 1? 

I've heard that DIY for beginners can prove very expensive. Especially when you have to call in the professional to repair the damage caused by the amateur.  

Polished concrete on a bathroom floor is a waste of time unless you seal it in which case it'll be slippy when wet. It'll also crack eventually. Tile it.

 

Polished concrete can look great in the right place. My pool surround wall is done that way.

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

I've heard that DIY for beginners can prove very expensive. Especially when you have to call in the professional to repair the damage caused by the amateur.  

or a trip to the A+E to sew your fingers back on

Get a local tradesman around, and get him to give you some ideas on lower cost alternatives. Get a good one and they will be more than happy to help, plus throw some ideas your way with estimated savings. Might find that for small quantities alternates are not really cost effective.

23 hours ago, grollies said:

Polished concrete on a bathroom floor is a waste of time unless you seal it in which case it'll be slippy when wet. It'll also crack eventually. Tile it.

 

Polished concrete can look great in the right place. My pool surround wall is done that way.

Ha Ha! So its not good for a bathroom, becuse its slippy and cracks, yet its okay aroud the pool??

20 minutes ago, Pdavies99 said:

Ha Ha! So its not good for a bathroom, becuse its slippy and cracks, yet its okay aroud the pool??

The pool deck is tiled. The ''pool surround wall'' (that's the sticky-up bit) - the clue was in the word 'wall' - is rendered and cement polished.

Here you go

 

 

7 minutes ago, grollies said:

The pool deck is tiled. The ''pool surround wall'' (that's the sticky-up bit) - the clue was in the word 'wall' - is rendered and cement polished.

Which does infact stop people climbing out.....because its slippy

3 minutes ago, eyecatcher said:

Which does infact stop people climbing out.....because its slippy

Eh?