Passover is also considered a kind of “renovation holiday.” According to statistics, tens of thousands of families renovate their homes before the holiday.
Who decided that it needed to be renovated? Was it a planned expense? If not, then why now, when it is so expensive? If you do decide to renovate, before getting into all the tips, here’s the first and most important one: Make a list of the things that need renovation the most and prioritize them according to your budget.
The Sages have already said that “Renovation is a road paved with stress” and therefore, the following should be considered:
- Set a budget ceiling for renovations and factor in an additional buffer of at least 15%.
- Ensure that the professional is reliable and has performed similar work to what you need. In addition, everything must be documented in writing, including a deadline for completion of the work.
- Consider buying materials yourself—this can sometimes lower costs.
- If you decide to replace the flooring, check whether it fits the existing doors to prevent one renovation from triggering additional unplanned ones. Also, before proceeding, consider whether polishing the floor would be more beneficial—this option is significantly cheaper.
- The cheapest option is not always the best one—or in other words, “You get what you pay for”.
- Read up on the subject online—there may be simple tasks you can do yourself (and even involve children and friends).
- Check for available storage space before ordering materials—order only what you need; no need to keep extra stock.
Renovating on Your Own
If your budget does not allow for renovations costing tens or hundreds of thousands of shekels, you can still renovate your home for just a few thousand. If you are doing the work yourself, and unless you have the necessary knowledge and skills, it is best not to touch the plumbing or electrical systems to avoid causing damage—or even disaster.
Here are links to videos and websites that guide you on how to renovate on your own:
- Guides for renovating apartments – Apartment website
- DIY guides – HomeAid
Important: If you have not planned and assessed everything properly, and you are unable to make a significant change but only a minor one, don’t waste your money. Instead, save it for a well-planned renovation at the right time that will be effective and precise.
General Renovation Tips
Painting
You can paint almost anything—from furniture to walls—creating a fresh, aesthetic look at a low cost. Any building supply store sells color fans that display a wide variety of shades, allowing you to bring one home and choose the perfect color.
To paint a room yourself, you will need:
- Brushes, rollers, and plastic sheets to cover furniture
- Sandpaper for smoothing surfaces before painting
Estimated cost for self-painting one room: About 100 NIS, including materials.
Additional painting tips:
- Fill grooves in the walls with plaster before painting.
- To create a framed effect in a different shade, use thick masking tape to outline a frame on the wall. Once the tape is removed, the frame will be visible.
- Use a sponge to create a cloud-like texture, or purchase special rollers that imprint patterns directly onto the wall.
Ceramic Tile Installation
Ceramic tiling can be done independently. You can purchase tiles from ceramic warehouses or clearance sections of major retailers and buy ceramic glue (available at most supermarkets) to adhere them to the existing floor.
Before installation:
- Thoroughly clean the floor.
- Apply acid to the surface to improve the adhesive’s grip.
- If some tiles need cutting (which requires using a cutting disc), measure them first and visit a ceramic store. Many stores offer tile-cutting services—ask in advance if this is available.
Applying Sealant (Rifle Application)
Applying sealant is very easy to do yourself. Simply clean the surface thoroughly and dry it completely before applying the sealant.
Gypsum (Drywall) Work
Gypsum is a relatively inexpensive material used for building walls, partitions, and even furniture items such as niches, shelves, TV stands, and wall panels. While working with gypsum requires some skill, it is very possible to do it yourself and save significant costs.
Example: Building a TV stand from gypsum, including paint, costs no more than 1,000 NIS.
Gypsum tip: It is very important to properly secure all connections and rails where the gypsum is placed to prevent future damage.
