You’ve decided to remodel your home. It’s a big decision and can be an even bigger job. But when done right, remodelling your house can also be an incredible experience that makes you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished and excited about the future. When done wrong, however, it’s like investing all your money into a stock that doesn’t pan out. You end up with a lot less money and a mess on your hands. So here are five common remodelling mistakes homeowners make, along with tips for avoiding them.
Not Staying on Budget
You don’t want the money to run out before the job is done. When it comes to remodelling your home, you want a project that is done right and stays roughly within budget. Before you get started on a remodel, make sure you have an idea of what the cost will be for each project. How can you stay on budget? First, include materials in your plan. There will be some waste, so account for that amount as well. Include labour costs and permits. You might be doing some of the work yourself and using skilled tradespeople for other roles. You also need to include the cost of permits for each stage of the project.
Not Allowing Enough Time
Home remodelling projects don’t get completed in a week, contrary to what you see on home remodelling shows. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when remodelling is not allowing enough time. This may seem obvious, but there are a few reasons that you should plan ahead and allow adequate time. First, it will cost more if you rush things. Second, rushing can lead to problems down the road. Finally, rushing through a remodel doesn’t allow for any potential delays by contractors or subcontractors working on other projects.
Remodelling Too Much At Once
Remodelling too much at once is another common mistake. Unless you’re gutting and renovating a home you don’t live in yet; it’s better to do it in stages to focus on one part of your home at a time. Trying to renovate everything all at once will be overwhelming and stressful for you and your family members. You’ll also have to pay for everything up front, which can be expensive if you don’t already have the money saved up.
Not Understanding Your Limitations
If you plan to do the work yourself, it is important to know what you can and cannot do. For example, if you’re a terrible painter, don’t try and paint your walls by yourself. You should hire someone else to do it instead. If you have limited time on your hands and need help with projects around the house, then hiring professionals will save you time while also providing better results. Sometimes you take on a project that you simply don’t have the time to complete in a reasonable timeframe. You can only live without your kitchen or bathroom for so long. If a project has been taking you months to do, maybe hiring a professional to knock it out more quickly would help.
Thinking You Can Do It Alone
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a remodel and think you can handle it yourself. But, as with most home improvement projects, it’s better to leave the heavy lifting to the experts. Some jobs look simple at first, like laying flooring or attic insulation removal, which require more finesse than you realize. Without the proper equipment or skills, you could make a bigger mess and have your project cost you far more than if you’d simply hired someone in the first place.
Find a contractor you trust, get an estimate, and let them do the big things. There are many ways to make a mistake while remodelling, but planning ahead and getting help when needed most can prevent costly errors.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two about homeowners’ top mistakes when they remodel. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to avoid these pitfalls by planning ahead and getting help when necessary. You’d be amazed at what the right combination of DIY and professional help can do for your home.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
Ref: THSI-2923 | ZD. 25739
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