If you talk to people who have conducted a home renovation, they will often provide some heartfelt advice: don’t get started without the proper research and preparation. Before you can enjoy the final results of a beautiful remodeling project, there’s a long road that must be navigated carefully by you and your contractor.
Here are 5 of the most common and significant home renovation mistakes to avoid:
1) Basing the Budget Too Much on ROI
If you base every financial decision on resale value, you end up checking off a lot of boxes for things that buyers want — but you might wind up with a house that simply does not function correctly. And you may be unhappy for the rest of your time in the house.
It’s not throwing money out the window to pamper yourself a little or choose finishes that you personally enjoy. Keep resale value in mind — but remember that other people will like the same things as you. You will only need to find one buyer. A boring house with only generic, oatmeal choices may be less enticing than a home with personality and character.
2) Being Timid About Changes
Depending on your personality and budget, you may feel inclined to err on the side of saying “no” to big changes. Your appetite for change should be considered, but home renovation should be performed based on what the property needs.
With an open mind, you can decide to keep some things the same — staining the cabinets instead of replacing them, for example. But perhaps you have worn-out cabinets or a bathroom layout that will never feel right. Intrinsic problems need to be addressed, so be prepared to welcome radical changes.
3) Focusing Only On the Sexy Stuff
Things you cannot see or touch deserve as much attention as the highly visible features. Does your home renovation plan account for ventilation, plumbing, and electrical? Are the countertops and floors you love really the best choice for your family, pets, and lifestyle?
Common regrets include skimping on insulation, failing to set aside budget for unforeseen problems like mold or rotten wood, or even simple oversights like correctly placed electrical outlets. Make sure that you and your contractor have covered the basics when making updates and esthetic changes.
4) Overdoing the Sweat Equity
You want to be involved, and that’s wonderful. The DIY chores can be fun and rewarding. Still, many homeowners wish that they had left more of their home renovation to the professionals.
The issue has less to do with knowledge and tools than you might think. The major drawback: the amount of time and stress involved with DIY renovations. Make sure your involvement level matches the energy you have available.
5) Choosing the Wrong Home Renovation Contractor
Some people choose the first contractor they find. Others talk themselves into accepting the lowest bid despite fears of substandard quality. Although you may know exactly what you want, home renovation plans can go awry in the wrong hands.
The wrong contractor might substitute inferior parts when you aren’t looking — or worse, fail to pay subcontractors or disappear in the middle of the project.
The right contractor for your home renovation will demonstrate excellent communication and understand your goals. You should receive upfront explanations of the estimate, and the contractor should be able to delineate exactly how the project will progress.
The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to discuss your home renovation with multiple contractors. Get a realistic idea of the process, and find the contractor who can successfully bring your vision to life.