HOME REMODELING MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
Home renovations begin with big dreams. Until you actually start the work.
It starts with big potential and beautiful possibilities, but the fun collapses quickly when you’re sleeping in the garage, cooking in the bathroom and your bank account is drained.
The headaches and stress that come with home remodeling can be avoided by preventing some of the most common home renovation mistakes. Review our list and check it twice before starting your next remodeling project.
- Choosing The Wrong Contractor
This is a big problem with most remodeling projects. The first bid, or the lowest bid, is usually not the home remodeling contractor you want to use.
Reflections of You, by Amy brings credible and affordable contractors to your project. Always providing written estimates and contracts including a full description of the work to be done step by step including demolition and waste removal, permits, and insurance.
The legwork has been done for you. No need to ask for references of past work. Our contractors are honest, reliable, and easy to work with.
- Balancing The Renovation Budget
If you can afford it, home remodeling is one of the best investments you can make. They make your day to day life easier, and they can pay off big – if they are done right.
However, if you can’t afford it, cutting corners on cheap materials and DIY remedies for construction projects can make things much worse.
When you make your budget, always include costs for unexpected surprises. Once you add up the total project cost, add 15 percent on top of the total to account for additional expenses that might pop up, more if you’re working on an older house or if you’re attempting a larger construction project like a kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation.
- Don’t Assume Remodeling is Easy
If you watch Fixer Upper for very many hours, you become convinced that putting in tile and installing a window is a piece of cake.
All of the sudden, a home remodel looks easy and basic updating appears simple. Of course, they make it look stress-free because they are professionals and have only a one-hour show.
Carefully assess your skill level before attempting any job. Have you done anything similar before? Do you have the right tools? Do you have the time, energy, and patience?
These are all important questions to ask before you even think about attempting a small home renovation project. If you are uncomfortable with power tools, electricity, pipes, or whatever you’re working on, hire a home remodeling contractor to protect yourself and your Louisville home from serious injuries.
- Skimping On The Unseen
Most people are willing to spend more money on the carpet they love, the tile they can’t live without, and comfortable furniture for the man cave. But when it comes to the materials you don’t see, a lot of homeowners don’t want to spend the extra money.
Other areas that are worth the extra cost are energy-efficient windows, proper subflooring, insulation, etc.
- Mis-Measuring
This is one of the most expensive mistakes. Measuring wrong is not always as obvious as simply making sure something fits.
A lot of time, people may purchase cabinets for their kitchen renovation and then realize that although the cabinets fit in the space, the fridge doesn’t. This can be a hassle to fix and impossible to repair.
Measure twice, three, or even ten times before getting started.
- Too Many Hands
Help is great, but not if that help is both unqualified and opinionated.
If you need help from friends and family, ask those who have the experience or ability to do what you’re asking them to do. Too many hens in the henhouse can lead to costly mistakes, injuries, and more damage than good.
Use well-intended offers for other areas like child care, meals, or cleaning during your renovation and keep the remodeling jobs to a qualified Louisville area remodeling contractor, or others with extensive experience.
- Pretty Not Practical Renovation Ideas
Hardwood floors are beautiful, but they aren’t practical for every family. If you have four kids, two dogs, and a cat then I would not recommend real hardwood floors in your house.
Laminate gives a comparable look that is much more durable.
If you like to eat in the family room, that dictates the type of carpet or furnishings that should go in that area. Think carefully about home updating areas that will be both beautiful and functional for your everyday life.
- Going With The Crowd
Trends are for clothing, not for home updating.
A bold, edgy, modern, trendy, or unique space may be exactly what you love, but it will crush your resale value. Any type of home updates that are eclectic or style-specific are extremely risky.
Keep the house design simple and classic and then you can make it your own with accessories, décor, and small accent pieces that you can take with you when you move.
- A Weekend Remodel Is Never A Weekend Remodel
We recommend giving yourself a 15 percent cushion in your budget, the same goes for time.
Give yourself at least one extra day than you actually have planned. If you are taking off work or doing a bathroom remodel over the weekend, don’t plan a big event, or make travel plans for Monday morning.
Allow an extra day with no plans so that if your project takes longer than anticipated, you aren’t scrambling and frustrated.
- Do It, But Do It Right
Don’t assume your dreams are unreachable. Take things one step at a time to be sure you do them right. You don’t have to remake your entire kitchen in a weekend, do one part at a time.
Make sure you have all the materials, components, plans, and permits necessary first and then begin one small section. A home renovation in stages may take longer, but it’s worth it to take the time to do it right.
Whether you’ve started your project and can’t complete it, or want someone to take the reins from the beginning, we are here for you.