4 Common Home Renovation Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them

Home renovation mistakes happen. Owning a home is an incredible feat. And one of the many joys of homeownership is getting to live in a space you can customize to your liking. Home renovation presents an opportunity to create more space, modernize outdated features, house more people under one roof, and curate the oasis you’ve always wanted.

When you’re ready to renovate your home, be careful not to make these four common mistakes:

1. Going DIY for professional tasks

DIY can be a budget-friendly, rewarding route for home renovations if you have the right skills, resources, and time to complete the task. However, those who aren’t fully prepared to take on the project themselves often run into trouble – and that can be frustrating and costly.

Let’s face it: Home renovations can be expensive. But before assuming DIY will be less expensive than hiring a contractor, research all the potential costs on both sides. If it’s a larger-scale project – or one just completely out of your wheelhouse – consider working with professionals from the start to avoid having to undo DIY work if things go awry (and potentially spending even more money).

As a general rule, if your renovation involves coming into contact with hazardous materials, be sure you have a professional ready who can remove health hazards with the proper safety protocols in place.

2. Setting your budget too low

Underestimating the budget of a home renovation project is a tale as old as time. In order to complete the project exactly as you had imagined, set a realistic – or even inflated – budget from the start. This will give you some wiggle room if materials and labor cost more than anticipated, and it’ll help you feel more prepared.

Another thing to keep in mind: prices will vary by market depending on cost of living and accessibility to the right resources.

3. Not having the right permissions in place

Some home renovations require permits from local government, especially if they impact the property’s zoning – like adding an extra bathroom, a basement, or an apartment over the garage, just to name a few examples.

To set yourself up for success, ensure you have the proper permissions in place for your project before breaking ground.

4. Sticking too much to trend – and not to your own taste

When it comes to interior design, it can be tempting to chase the flavor of the moment. For home renovation projects that involve more permanent designs and patterns, assess whether you truly love something, or if it simply feels on trend.

For example, if you’re considering a bold pattern for a kitchen backsplash but aren’t sure how long you’ll love it, opt instead for something more neutral. Then, seek out home accessories – like a trivet for the kitchen or throw pillows for the living room – with that pattern.

At the end of the day, your home should reflect your personal taste, whatever it may be. While neutral colors and patterns typically bode best for resale, it’s up to you – the one living in the house day to day – to curate a space that makes you happy.

Regardless of whether you’re leaning toward timely or timeless styles, make sure you feel confident in the materials you choose. To be cost savvy, some people opt for lower quality options, but this can backfire in the long term. While the cost may be lesser upfront, they may not be as durable over time – which means you could be renovating again sooner than you’d like.

Would you rather buy anew than deal with home renovations? Connect with a local REMAX agent today to get started on your home buying journey.