Property Brothers: Drew Scott's Tips For Using Your Reno Budget Wisely

Whether you're selling your house or ready for a change, a home renovation can be a great way to reimagine your living space. It can also, however, be a costly investment if not well planned. That said, how do you choose between renovating vs. rebuilding and how do you do it without breaking the bank? Drew Scott, co-host of HGTV's "Property Brothers," has all the answers.

As real estate and design experts, Scott and his brother share tons of quick yet insightful videos on renovation planning, design inspiration, and everything in between. On one of the YouTube videos on the Drew & Jonathan channel, Scott walks you through all of the do's and don'ts when it comes to upgrading a home and learning to use your reno budget wisely. His top tips? Make every renovation throughout the house flow well, where no particular area outshines the other. More importantly, Scott highly recommends you have a contractor come in to quote the renovation project before you make a decision. You don't want to spend all of your budget on a full kitchen makeover, only to later discover it'll also need plumbing repairs.

The goal, Scott explains, is to spend money where it counts, especially when selling your house. According to Realtor.com, home renovations can range from $25,000 to well over $76,000, depending on the size of your home and any major repairs or replacements needed. In Scott's walkthrough tour below, he demonstrates key areas in the house to focus your reno efforts to make the most of your project and budget.

While touring through a staged house on the market, Scott immediately points out the visual differences of the flooring from room to room. Upgrading some areas, but not all — what Scott refers to as "spot renovating" — is not the way to go. He goes on to explain that this can make your interior design look choppy. Instead, you want renovations to visually flow with the look of your home, enhancing while still complementing what is there. If you're selling your home, put yourself in the buyers' shoes. For example, instead of investing in new carpet (which Scott explains is something buyers nowadays don't want) you can upgrade the common areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen.

Also, look for areas within the project where you can financially cut back. Scott insists on small upgrades, where easy swaps and touch-ups can create a whole new look. For example, when upgrading your kitchen, Scott tells Architectural Digest that painting or resurfacing your cabinets is an easy and low-cost way to refresh the look instead of replacing them. This is one of many home renovation hacks that fake an expensive look and give off luxe without burning your budget. As for staging, make sure that every room has a purpose. Scott highly recommends that every staged room has a feature element — simple things like a new light fixture or tasteful decor. Unsure where to start? Check out these budget-friendly tricks for staging your home.