I'm wanting to do a more eco-friendly renovation in my house, but I'm unsure if it ends up being so much more expensive than using conventional materials. Have you guys done this before? How did your budget turn out?
It really depends on what you're going to renovate and where you buy from. In the early years I noticed that yeah, sustainable materials do tend to have a higher upfront price - certified wood, eco-friendly paints, natural insulation, all that stuff costs more when you're buying it. But there are nuances, you know. Some materials like cork or reclaimed wood end up being competitive over time because they last longer and don't need maintenance as often. If you're doing a complete renovation, the price difference can be significant, but if you're doing it in stages or focusing on certain rooms, you can manage it better.
What I learned working with contracts and budgets is that a lot of people don't count the total cost - it's not just the price of the material, it's also labor, transport, waste. Some sustainable options actually reduce waste and the labor ends up being the same. Do your research on local shops, because there are some specialized in eco materials that have way more accessible prices than what you see in the big chains. Talk to a few contractors and ask for detailed quotes - the same project with sustainable materials vs conventional ones side by side. That'll give you the real picture of how much more it's gonna cost.
Anyway, there are incentives in some regions for sustainable renovations, so it's worth looking into that too before you start. In the medium term, some people say it pays off in energy efficiency and durability, but that's more of a long-term bet.
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