These home renovation mistakes should be avoided at all costs
Home renovations can be intimidating for homeowners to take on. Unfortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong and often those mistakes can end up costing you a lot of money to fix. Although it’s unlikely your renovation will be mistake-free, being prepared for all possibilities will help you have some peace of mind going into the project.
So if you’re planning on tackling home renovations soon, here are 5 mistakes that commonly trip up homeowners. Try to avoid them if you can!
Not researching your contractors
Hiring a contractor is a big step in the home renovation process and not one you should take lightly. Make sure to do your due diligence to avoid getting scammed or ending up with a job you’re unhappy with.
Get recommendations from friends and contact references for contractors you are interested in. You might also want to use a site like Angie’s List to read reviews for potential projects. Additionally, ask your contractor to verify that they are licensed and insured for the job they are going to do. A legit contractor should be able to happily supply you with all of this information and more.
If a contractor is hesitant to provide you with information, wants to cut corners or is just giving you a shady vibe, don’t be afraid to continue searching for someone else. You’re going to be letting this person into your home to work, so you don’t want to take any chances with someone you don’t completely trust
Picking a trendy design
Hopefully your home renovations will last a long time, so think twice before you go ahead and install the current trendiest options in your home. Will you love this style for a long time or are you going to be sick of it a few years down the road? Additionally, is it something that will be functional for your life or do you just love the way it looks? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself when you’re choosing a design for your home.
As a rule, try and stick with a classic look for larger purchases like countertops and flooring and play around with trends using paint or decor. This will also help you appeal to a variety of potential buyers and hopefully boost your resale value if you decide to sell down the road.
Running out of money
Not budgeting correctly for a project is a common issue that homeowners run into when they’re making home improvements. Make sure to do your research and get quotes from several contractors before you agree to anything.
Do some reading on what common remodels usually cost so you’re not going in blind either. Once you’ve determined the cost of the labor and materials, don’t forget to factor in an emergency fund for any unexpected costs that pop up. Nothing could be worse than running out of money and not being able to finish a major home remodel project.
Once you have a good idea how much everything is going to cost…start saving. Start putting money away each month into a savings account. You could look at CIT Bank because they have some of the highest interest rates available right now.
You could also look into a home improvement loan with a low rate here to help you easily afford your project and avoid being stuck living in a permanent construction zone.
Thinking your project will be done on time
Let’s be honest, even with the tightest of schedules something is bound to go wrong and throw you off track. Especially with older houses, you’re likely going to discover a few bumps in the road once you start doing some demo.
Although it’s good to have an ideal timeline in mind, be sure to build in some buffer room so that you’re not disappointed when a project takes longer than it’s supposed to. Also, try to avoid any hard deadlines like an important holiday or gathering in your home. That’s a recipe for disaster when your renovations aren’t done in time!
Not measuring correctly
Everyone knows the old saying “measure twice, cut once” but it’s even more important when you’re talking about spending thousands on a home renovation project. You don’t want to blow your budget when you realize you ordered a countertop too small or your appliances don’t fit in your kitchen. Take your own measurements and double check them against your contractor to ensure accuracy.
Additionally, don’t forget to add 20 percent when you’re ordering materials like flooring or tiles. You’ll need the extra for any pieces that end up broken or need to be trimmed to fit the edges. You don’t want to end up in a panic when you need a few extra pieces of flooring and the style is completely out of stock. Save yourself a headache with careful measurements!
Attempting a difficult DIY
If you’re handy around the house, there are a lot of simple projects you can DIY to save money. But a common mistake homeowners make is taking on a DIY project that should really be handled by a professional.
Plumbing and electrical work are two areas you probably shouldn’t try and handle yourself. Mistakes in these areas can result in a hefty bill at best or a dangerous error at worst. If you’re going to DIY, make sure it’s an easy project that won’t have a lot of impact if something goes wrong.
Many times, homeowners attempt DIY upgrades on their own with hopes to increase the overall value of their home, with the intent of attracting a buyer and selling a house. Fortunately for them, Offerpad will provide an offer on a home within 24 hours, and sellers can choose their closing date – no renovations needed. Avoid the renovation mistakes and sell your house the easy way.
