How To Save On High-End Home Upgrades - Hartford Courant

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Cut corners on high-end home upgrades with these suggestions from This Old House magazine:

tLook for gently used, professional-style appliances. Because they come without warranties, have a repair person look them over and make any necessary repairs. Even with that expense, you're likely to save quite a bit over buying new.

tSave on a granite countertop by choosing a square edge instead of a more elaborate detail. Avoid rare blue colors, which cost up to three times more than grays, whites, blacks and earthy tones. For a small job, such as a kitchen island or bathroom vanity, check a stone yard's remnant area.

tDark wood flooring is trendy, but woods such as mahogany and walnut are expensive. Instead, buy oak and have the installer apply an ebony stain. You can get away with lower-grade flooring, but order slightly more than the standard 10 percent overage in case any boards have cracks or other defects that the darker stain accentuates.

tGet the look of a custom, built-in media center for less by assembling the unit from stock kitchen cabinets. Finish it with matching crown moldings, filler strips and glass-front doors.

tForgo the jets in your new tub to save both money and maintenance. If you want a claw-foot tub, choose a vintage one at a salvage yard and have it reglazed.

— Mary Beth Breckenridge, Akron Beacon Journal