Home remodeling is thrilling but daunting, and it is simple to make money mistakes, time mistakes, or both.
1. Budget Underestimating
- Mistake: Failing to budget for unexpected things.
- Effect: Work exceeds budget rapidly because of concealed problems (like mold or compromised wires).
- Remedy: Budget a 10–20% contingency budget within your budget.
2. Lack of Proper Planning
- Mistake: Barreling into the remodel without plans.
- Effect: Modifications during building construction, schedules, and extra expenses.
- Solution: Plan in advance, taking time to detail all aspects, from materials to design.
3. Selecting the Lowest Bid
- Error: Blindly selecting the lowest bidder.
- Impact: Low quality, delays, or surprise invoices.
- Solution: Look at bids on experience, ratings, and contracts available—not only price.
4. Skimming Permits and Code Compliance
- Error: Work begun without necessary permits.
- Impact: Fines, work redoing, or not being able to sell your home.
- Solution: Find out from local officials what permits are necessary before starting.
5. Not Planning for Future Needs
- Error: Remodeling only for the existing lifestyle.
- Outcome: Room won’t function in a few years (e.g., growing family, aging in place).
- Solution: Consider future use.
6. Placing Aesthetics Over Everything
- Error: Concerned too much with how it looks and not how it functions.
- Outcome: Beautiful rooms that can’t be used or are hard to use.
- Solution: Balance of form and function—consider storage, circulation, and functionality.
7. Poor Contractor Communication
- Mistake: Failing to maintain constant, open communication.
- Outcome: Miscommunications, missed deadlines, or subpar installations.
- Resolution: Establish clear expectations and check regularly.
8. DIY Without the Know-How
- Mistake: Tackling projects that are out of your skill set.
- Outcome: Safety risk, costly errors, or code violations.
- Resolution: Be aware of your limitations and call in the professionals when needed.
9. Trendy Over Timeless
- Mistake: Choosing design trends.
- Impact: Your bedroom can age quickly overnight.
- Cure: Add easy-to-reverse trends (e.g., accessories or paint), and invest in large pieces of furniture so they won’t become dated.
10. No Resale Value
- Mistake: Overcustomizing or overinvesting in the room.
- Effect: Negative return on investment.
- Cure: Observe what brings value in your neighborhood and add intelligent upgrades.