"Value Engineering" is contractor-speak for reducing costs without cutting quality or function. It's about finding smart swaps that give you the same aesthetic impact without the premium price tag. Here is how to apply it to your project.
Custom is expensive. Designing your kitchen around standard cabinet widths (12", 18", 24", etc.) allows you to use semi-custom lines instead of fully bespoke millwork, saving 30-40% instantly.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) has come a long way. High-end LVP can look nearly identical to white oak, is waterproof (great for basements and kitchens), and costs half as much to install as real hardwood.
Love that $100/sqft marble tile? Use it as an accent feature—like a stove backsplash rectangle or a shower niche—and use a complimentary, affordable white subway tile for the rest of the wall area.
Moving a toilet or sink across the room involves jackhammering concrete and re-venting stacks. Keeping fixtures in their original locations allows you to spend that money on better finishes instead of rough plumbing.
Smart choices make for a beautiful home and a healthy bank account.