If I have one piece of advice for anyone starting a renovation, it's track every expense.It's incredibly tempting to buy the nicest tools on the shelf but remember that this is only the beginning. Costs add up faster than you expect. Buying a less expensive brand isn't always a bad decision. Yes, premium tools can make the job easier or faster, but you have to decide which ones are actually worth the extra money.

I created an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of every purchase. I also saved my receipts because I kept returning things.

Once I had a plan, I went over everything with my other cousin, who was moving into the house along with his girlfriend. I made it clear from the start that he was going to be my unpaid helper. At the end he was still down to help.

The only thing I really asked of him was to decide what he wanted for his bedroom and buy the paint for it. Everything else, all the materials, supplies, and expenses would go through me. It was my house and ultimately my responsibility.

Sanding is no joke. It is the most time consuming and messiest part of the whole process. The importance of wearing the right mask and eye protection cannot be overstated. Even with all the protection, dust still finds its way everywhere. Luckily for me, my brother-in-law lent me his sanding machine, and that was a game changer.

Ugh, taping is also annoying, but it's crucial. We used orange painter's tape that was recommended by my cousin the consultant. One lesson I learned is that if you're painting multiple coats, take the tape off right after you're done, then reapply it before the next coat. It's a pain, but if you leave the tape on too long, there's a good chance you'll peel the paint off with it.

A hammer, a utility knife, and a screwdriver became my best friends. They were small but essential tools for removing hardware that had been painted over for decades. This is something my cousin the consultant showed me.

I will confess that when it came to tools, I was a very lucky girl. My cousin and my brother-in-law generously lent me most of what I needed throughout the renovation. There were even times when I had two power sanders and two drills at my disposal. These two pieces of equipment I probably used more than anything else. 

The list goes on for materials but just mentioning a few that came to mind