The Most Common Remodeling Mistakes
(And How To Avoid Them)
Some things you can learn by doing, but remodeling isn’t one of them. Taking the ‘dive in and find out’ approach can lead to mistakes that are expensive, time-consuming, and stressful to undo later on down the line. Ultimately, a remodeling project should improve your enjoyment of your home, boost property value, and simply lead to a better home than what came before.
There are no guarantees that your remodeling project will be an all-out success, but there are ways to increase the chances. For example, by learning from the mistakes of other homeowners. In this post, we’re going to guide you through some of the most common remodeling mistakes, so that you don’t make them yourself.
Failing to Set a Budget
If you have an unlimited amount of cash, then you don’t need to worry about this point. However, if you live in the real world and you do need to keep costs under control, then pay attention. The cost of even small remodeling projects can quickly spiral out of control if the homeowner doesn’t have a firm grip on their budget.
Setting a budget before you get too deep into the planning project will allow you to have a good sense of what you can afford. It’s also important to create a realistic budget, not what you wish the budget would be. Once you have a final figure, add an extra 20% as a buffer. You’ll hope that you won’t need it, but you never know what additional costs might pop up when renovating. If/when they do, you’ll be happy that you have a little extra cash to play with.
Rushing the Project
Nobody wants a remodeling project to go on forever. In an ideal world, everything would be done as quickly as possible.
But rushing through a project increases the risk of making a mistake that you have to undo later (or, even worse, have to learn to live with). Taking your time allows for thoughtful decision-making that often leads to better results. You might want to get your home exactly as you want it quickly, but think about this: what’s better, doing things fast or doing things right?
With that said, you can also make the mistake of moving too slowly with your renovation project. These things usually benefit from momentum, and if there’s no timeline in place, then it’s possible that you’re living in a half-completed building site for much longer than you ever thought. As with your budget, create a realistic timeline, and get to work.
Failing to Speak to a Structural Engineer
Many homeowners go into a remodeling project focused on how their property will look once it’s complete. It’s usually that line of thought that dominates discussions and plans.
But remember that there may also be practical aspects that you need to consider, too. For instance, if you’re making many changes, such as knocking down a wall, then you’ll need to call in structural engineers to ensure that your plans won’t have unintended consequences on the property’s structural integrity. Remember, all walls can come down, but not all walls can come down safely.
It’s best to get in touch with an engineer early on in the project. Many homeowners get deep into the planning, only to then discover that their ideas are not feasible. Speaking with an expert from the beginning will allow you to come up with a workaround plan, if needed.
Assuming All Contractors Are the Same
Having a great remodeling plan in place sets you up for success, but it’s the quality of the contractors you hire to do the job that ultimately determines the overall success or failure.
As with everything else, not all contractors are created equal. Some will do outstanding work at a great price, some will do below-standard work that has to be redone later on. You’ll save yourself a lot of money, stress, and trouble by choosing the right contractor from the beginning.
Don’t choose a contractor on blind faith. Get recommendations from friends/family, see examples of their previous work, and/or check their online reputation. A few simple steps can prevent you from making a costly error.
Focus Solely On Aesthetics
It’s easy to get sucked into focusing on how your property will look once the remodeling project is complete. Aesthetic value counts for a lot.
But it’s also not everything. You won’t just be sitting back and admiring the beauty of your new home; you’ll be actively using it. Too many homeowners get drawn into creating a beautiful space without thinking about its practical functions. If you’re working with a designer, then telling them your preferences, wishes, and limitations can help ensure you get the right space. For example, if you hate reaching up to high cupboards, then it would make a lot more sense to keep cupboards lower down.
The bottom line? The impact of aesthetics will eventually wear off, but the practical virtues of the space will last forever.
Not Having a Plan For When Work Is Taking Place
Finally, one of the most overlooked factors relating to remodeling projects is what the homeowner will do when the work is being carried out. Remodeling projects can be mildly inconvenient at best, outright disruptive at worst. There might be times when you can’t use your kitchen, bathroom, and other key areas of the home for quite a while, so what will you do during those periods? You might decide that it’s better to go on vacation to a beautiful beach destination for a week or two, plan on showering at a gym or friend’s place, or make a list of all the restaurants you’ve been meaning to try.
Conclusion
A home renovation project will never be a complete walk in the park, but it also doesn’t have to be an overly stressful period. If you can avoid the mistakes that we’ve outlined above, then you should find that you can go a long way towards making your journey to a better home all the more straightforward.
