We all know an amazing home renovation will not only add value to your home but also enhance your life and bring many benefits for years to come. Unfortunately, many homeowners make some mistakes along the way that end up making home renovation longer and cost more than initially planned. Here are 5 common renovation mistakes homeowners should avoid to get the dream house you’ve always wanted without any glitches.
Hiring the wrong contractor
Spending time talking to different contractors does take time but it’s worthy. Many homeowners rush into hiring the first contractor they speak to or the one who is highly recommended by a friend and then end up finding out they don’t share the same sentiments in mid-renovation. For this reason, conduct the research ahead of time, about six months before moving date. Taking the time to get different quotes and look for past customer reviews to make sure you hire the right contractor for your project.
Setting an unrealistic budget
When it comes to home renovation, it does not come cheap and needs a proper financial planning and budgeting. Otherwise, you will run out of money halfway through the project and you may have to live in a half-finished house in the future. Remember to set a reasonable budget and keep an extra of 10 to 20 percent in reserve in case anything pops up along the way.
Cutting cost on materials
Homeowners often choose materials based on how they look instead of its quality and life span. Keep in mind that there’s a thin line between “inexpensive” and “cheap” and sometimes it’s worth paying more. Quality products often have additional features that make living easier and they will cost less in terms of repair or replacement in the future. Thus, saving a few dollars in the short term may not be a wise choice in the long run.
Going into a project without a contract or set plan
A detailed plan will help you stay on schedule and on budget. Sit down with your contractor and discuss a proper timeline before starting the work. A good contractor will guide you through every phase and have a clear schedule for completing each phase, from drafting plan to executing the project. Be flexible as there’s likely some delays and the leeway will give you time to have the project back on track.
Not having a proper design/concept laid out
Going into the home renovation without any design or concept laid out? Chances are you will be get carried away by popular trends and follow them blindly. Surely an industrial theme may look interesting at the beginning but would you want to spend a large amount of money to live in a house that looks like a warehouse for the next 5 or 10 years? Having a clear concept laid out will help you decide what’s needed or what’s redundant, sticking to what suits your living requirements and fully reflects your lifestyle and personality as well.