8 Mistakes Everyone Makes
During A Home Renovation
(And How To Avoid Them)
Taking a sledgehammer to your outdated living room may sound like fun, but realistically, reviving your home is a process that requires a lot of time and care. Deciding to gut the bathroom and add a master walk-in closet is a great idea until you realize you need to do a plumbing update throughout the house and you already blew your budget on a heated floor, clawfoot tub, and those lighted closet bars you had to have. Focus is key, as is a bit of thoughtful planning. Today, we'll explain the eight most common mistakes that nearly everyone makes before and during a big renovation, and share how to avoid them before making that huge, gaping hole in the wall.
People often do not invest in the rooms that are the heart of the home, like the kitchen or living room. It’s important to prioritize these spaces. Its extremely important that functional spaces like the kitchen and bathrooms are up-to-date, especially when considering resale value. Only after these rooms are in great shape should you move onto less-crucial spaces like the bedroom or an office.
Spending too much on the wrong things.
If you’re going to invest in higher-priced items like kitchen appliances or bathroom fixtures, you can always balance it with more affordable items somewhere else. Just avoid doing the reverse: spending a lot on an accent wall and then economizing by installing laminate floors instead of hardwood. Think about what will make the most impact when you go to sell the home. It’s a give-and-take process.
Ignoring the bathrooms.
It is so important to renovate the bathrooms in your home so that they are always up to date—this is very important for resale value down the line. You can keep the renovation super simple by replacing outdated tile with classic stone or swapping in beautiful new fixtures. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul.
Forgetting about the landscaping.
This is the prelude to the interior. It sets the mood and creates an atmosphere. It should tie into what is happening with the interiors. There should be a point of view in regards to the landscape, no matter what room you are sitting in. They all relate to create the most dynamic spaces inside and out.
Not respecting the bones of the house.
Mixing and layering different styles and time periods is great, but you should always know and understand what the bones of the home are and respect the original architecture. Not sure what to do with your space? Hire a designer or architect for their expert opinion.
Choosing a contractor on a whim.
People who are renovating often choose a contractor too quickly. It’s best to take time to research and go with a referral. If you don’t have a referral, make sure you bid out a few and compare prices to find the best match for your budget. Also ask that contractor to speak with previous clients of theirs or try to go see their work in person. If you need a place to start, let us point you in the right direction with a list of local contractors we know & trust by clicking HERE.
For major renovations, hire an architect or designer.
Having an architect or designer on board will help to streamline the project and give you the best version of what you’ve envisioned for the home. They will also have relationships with vendors to make buying fixtures and furniture both more affordable (with a designer discount) and less stressful. DIY is great in theory but you never want to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to home renovations. All hired help should be welcome.
Setting a budget without overages.
You should budget for approximately 10-15 percent in overages. But don’t tell anyone in your camp—push your “hard” number, but know that you have a bit of room if something goes wrong. Things will definitely run over—there are almost always unforeseen issues once you start to tear down the walls!
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MAZE LUMBER
1100 Water Street
P.O. Box 449
Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742
Fax: 815-223-1752
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon
Sunday: Closed
