Doing a home renovation can be traumatic for some. It’s easy to fall into costly and tricky mistakes. Homeowners who are eager to remodel their way towards their dream house should pick their projects carefully. Otherwise, applying the wrong upgrade will only reduce the value of their home, making it harder to sell when they’re planning to move.
According to the 2021 True Cost Report by HomeAdvisor, a kitchen remodel costs $35,317 while a bathroom remodel is at $13,401. Prices are constantly changing for home service projects. There are plenty of drivers of project costs, such as materials supply and labor. Some homeowners even turn to home loan officers for mortgage applications to deal with remodeling costs.
Navigating a renovation efficiently is a rewarding investment for your home. But if this is your first time doing a home remodeling project, you are likely to encounter mistakes that can harm your finances, and most of all, your safety. To maximize every hour and money spent on your upcoming renovation, we are sharing some all-too-common mistakes in home remodeling.
Mistake #1: Too much confidence in DIY skills
It is an obvious fact that home renovations are extremely expensive. Watching renovation shows may have given you an idea of how much a remodeling project costs. Aside from the materials, you need to hire a designer, contractor, and laborers. That’s why it is no surprise why most homeowners are taking the DIY route as the only solution.
Doing a DIY project is a cost-efficient plan if the budget is scarce, but you have the proper skills. But if your project will depend on guesswork, you’ll end up causing bigger problems in the future. While you can save thousands on certain repairs, doing the remodeling yourself is life-threatening. At the end of the day, it is best to consider that some projects are best left to a professional.
Some projects that require a professional’s help are gutter replacement, electrical panel replacement, bathroom remodel, new flooring or roofing, and furnace installation. If you think you’re knowledgeable about construction, the first thing you should do is recognize your limits. Ask yourself questions if you have done any large-scale home repairs in the past or have specialized knowledge to perform difficult projects, such as plumbing and electrical work.
Mistake #2: Taking the cheapest route
Before hiring a contractor, make sure they have the experience and reputation to undertake a remodeling project. Substandard workmanship will only make the house less appealing. When turning to professional help, do your research, read customer reviews, and collect as many estimates as possible from reputable contractors.
When the quotes are in, it might be tempting to choose the most affordable option to save more money for the materials. But a cheap service cost is low for a reason. These companies are likely cutting corners by lacking important services that are actually worth the additional expense.
When comparing estimates, identify the common figures. If a certain price remains constant, it is likely the actual cost. From these data, pick which contractor to hire based on research and price estimates. To help your search, look for local listings that include contact numbers and customer reviews. If you find yourself turned between two options, pick the most comfortable choice.
The same goes when buying cheap materials and equipment. Some may look similar, but others offer more features than the cheapest option. Investing in quality resources and tools such as air compressors, sand blasting machine, conventional sprayers and helmets will save more time and money in the long run. But avoid blowing your budget despite having unlimited financial resources. You’ll never know if you’re paying too much for a particular remodeling project.
Mistake #3: Working on too many projects at once
This remodeling mistake is likely one of the most common among homeowners. They are very eager in establishing a fresh appearance in their home that they want to include as many rooms as they can. As a result, they tackle too many projects that they end up skipping prep work, setting unrealistic expectations, measuring incorrectly, ignoring important details, and not considering the workflow.
This approach will leave the entire house in complete disarray. It will lead to a never-ending mess that leads to frustration instead of the feeling of satisfaction for a job well done. If you find yourself rushing to complete a project, allow yourself to take things slow and tackle each project one step at a time. Although renovating is quite stressful, putting your energy in one area will make things a lot easier.
Mistakes will likely occur at some point during your home remodeling. But we hope the suggestions above are enough for you to avoid these common remodeling pitfalls. If you’re having a hard time on a certain project, the best thing to do is to leave it to a professional. Designers and home repair companies have years of experience to make your remodeling plans efficient and functional.
