Being a homeowner gives you the flexibility to change your home into something that fits your tastes and lifestyle. Thanks to countless magazines, blogs, and shows, home renovations are more popular than ever before.
That said, home renovations aren’t for the faint of heart. They are not only time-consuming, but they can also be quite expensive. Not to forget that there is a lot that can go wrong during the process.
In this article, Bigham & Associates share with us 8 home renovation mistakes to avoid. Avoiding them will dramatically boost your odds of completing your project on time, on budget, and with absolutely delightful results.
Home Renovation Mistake #1: Hiring the wrong contractors for the job.
The results of hiring an unqualified home renovation contractor can be catastrophic. It can cause significant damage to your home and cost you a great deal of money to get it redone.
So, when thinking of renovating your home, take the time to find the right professionals for the job. Don’t make the mistake of hiring the first person that calls you back or one that offers the lowest costs.
Your home is probably your largest financial investment, and you should entrust it to the right professionals.
Home Renovation Mistake #2: Neglecting safety measures.
If you are helping out with your home renovation, make sure to take some safety precautions. Hard-toed shoes and goggles might not feel very sexy, but if you drop the hammer or splinters go flying, you will be pretty happy you indulged in them regardless.
So, ensure you follow the best safety practices if you are lending out a helping hand. And, if you are hiring, ask your contractors about their safety practices when interviewing them to make sure everything is in order.
Home Renovation Mistake #3: Choosing unsustainable materials.
Whether you are environmentally conscious or not, going “green” in regards to building materials and upgrades has a lot of merits.
For one, they can really boost your property’s value when the time to sell comes. That’s because a green building is often associated with better health, water efficiency, better indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, and overall low maintenance.
So, whenever renovating, upgrades such as solar panels, and low-flow showerheads or toilets might be worthwhile.
Home Renovation Mistake #4: Choose the wrong paint.
Choosing the wrong paint can equal frustration and plenty of lost money. So, when shopping, make sure to consider the paint’s purpose as well as its color before buying.
Paint comes in a variety of finishes and price ranges, as it’s meant to be used in many ways.
Home Renovation Mistake #5: Using the wrong tools.
Construction tools are meant to do a particular job and to do it very well. That said, it’s pretty tempting to use the wrong tool, especially if you are missing the correct tool or don’t use those tools every so often.
The danger, however, of using the wrong tool is potentially causing damage to the tool itself or to the materials. Not to mention that you can end up seriously injuring yourself pretty badly.
Home Renovation Mistake #6: Following trends.
This is also another mistake that homeowners doing renovation often do. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring a super-trendy home, but nothing dates a home quicker than a trend.
Do you remember the once-trending avocado-green kitchen appliances and shag carpeting?
If you are really in love with one of the bathroom or kitchen trends that’s been making rounds lately, ask your contractor about a contemporary spin or twist on a classic look that might satisfy your desire for the trend.
This will ensure your home gets a timeless look, one that is as fresh and relevant today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow.
Home Renovation Mistake #7: Starting without having a plan.
You may overlook this for a smaller project. However, if you are renovating an entire house or room, then you certainly need a game plan for what it is you are doing and when.
If you are doing the project yourself, then make a plan based on the available time you will have. If you are outsourcing this, make sure to ask your contractor for a timeline of the project.
Home Renovation Mistake #8: Going cheap with materials.
Tempting to try to discount yourself through a home renovation is a mistake that far too many people make. But always resist this temptation at all costs!
When it comes to home renovation, this statement couldn’t have said it any better “you get what you pay for.” Also, “cheap is always expensive in the long run.”
If you are like most Americans, then your home is probably the largest investment you own. As such, it only makes sense to ensure that your home renovation process goes as smoothly as possible by avoiding these 8 home renovation mistakes.
