Thousands of pounds of waste is generated each year from commercial and residential renovations, and a certain amount of waste must be generated in order to make improvements to the building. While there’s no need to cut back from renovation altogether, we can all make an effort to build smarter by wasting less materials. The basic idea is to only buy the quantities you’ll use, and we’ll cover the guidelines below.

How Much Paint Should you Buy?

The best way to estimate how much paint you’ll need is by using a paint calculator, and buying the closest amount of paint to that amount. If you’ve already set your mind on a particular shade from a specific brand, and in order to get the amount of paint you need to finish the project, then there may not be much you can do. Keep in mind that paints are often sold in a variety of container sizes, and if the hardware store you’re buying from doesn’t offer the paint in a smaller size, they may be able to order it for you so don’t hesitate to speak to the sales associate there.

Tip: don’t overestimate how much extra paint you’ll need for future touch ups since paint doesn’t always keep well over a long period of time.

Recycling your Materials

If you’re doing a serious overhaul of your home, chances are you’ll be renting a container to haul away your trash. When considering which company to rent your container from, make sure that your final choice recycles your waste. Recycling materials from construction waste is different from sorting the waste that regularly comes from your home, so it’s not feasible to do it yourself.

Reusing your Materials

If you’re going with a contractor, they will most likely have leftover materials from other jobs, either ongoing or complete. In addition to reducing waste, you’ll also lower the cost for yourself. If you’re willing to put the work in, you can always find previously owned fixtures for reuse in your kitchens and bathrooms, which aren’t always a bad deal. In fact, old fixtures are probably made with sturdy hardwood that would cost you a small fortune today.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Redoing a job is the most wasteful way of trying things out. 3D modelling has come a long way and will help you imagine your ideas for the space without making permanent changes. Also, take paint samples, look at staged homes for sale, and talk to designers to make sure you’re making the right choice.