There's no doubt that repairing a home yourself can be costly.  There's also no doubt that hiring a contractor to repair your home is likewise costly.  It is expensive to repair or remodel a home, that's just a given.  But following these four tips might help you save a few bucks even for such a demanding project. 

1.Decide what you need or want ahead of time.

A homeowner not really knowing what he or she wants is a contractor's dream.  Before going into the project, you should already know exactly what you need, what you might like depending on the cost, and what you really don't need.  You should even have your own estimate of the total price in mind.  Even if you're hiring a professional to do the job, the more familiar you are with your house and what specific work needs to be done, the less you can be taken advantage of.

2.Avoid construction as much as possible.

Is there a way to repair your home even without demolishing and rebuilding so much?  If possible, avoid moving bearing walls, rooflines, floods or windows.  Electrical systems should only be worked on if they are in need of major repair, not simply redone to accommodate other items.  In plumbing, try to plan bathrooms and kitchens so that they can share major drains, pipes and vents.  Plumbing fixtures should be arranged against one or two walls.  Construction is expensive-especially the kind you don't really need.

3.Do some shopping.

Shop around at all the top stores and also online to find out differences in price and quality of materials.  Becoming familiar with all your options can only help.  Some materials (such as custom made items) are needlessly expensive and stay that way because many people never bother to compare prices.

4.Get it in writing.

If you're dealing with a contractor, then make sure that you are in total agreement about the work that is to be done and the cost.  After all the promises have been made and all the trust established, then get it in writing!  Shady contractors can take advantage of homeowners who really aren't prepared, and can convince them to pay extra for something that wasn't necessary-or even agreed upon.  Estimates mean nothing until they are documented.  Reducing the labor of a contractor is also an effective way of saving money.  You can always purchase the materials yourself, and perhaps even perform minor tasks on your own.

There are ways to reduce your costs in home repair.  It's just a matter of knowing your house and what you expect to be done better than anyone else.