Home renovation can be a long and stressful process, but
depending on the project's purpose, many of you happily undertake them. Some
people renovate their homes to upgrade the look; others want to expand their
houses or add rooms. While many make changes to their homes in order to
increase their market value. In either scenario, errors are likely and common to
occur.
Human errors can be unintentional, caused by carelessness,
lack of planning, sudden changes, and many more reasons. In some situations,
these mistakes can cost you a lot of money, wastage of time and energy.
Therefore, it is critical to be extra careful of these mistakes and avoid the
consequences. If you have decided to take up a renovation project, make sure
not to make the below-mentioned home renovation mistakes and avoid costly
fix-ups.
1. Storing all your
belongings inside the house
When undergoing home renovations, it is common for people to
keep all their stuff in the house, leaving them vulnerable to damage. It could
be that they don't trust anyone with their belongings or have no place to store
them. Renting a storage unit near the house is one practical solution.
You can search online for a storage unit based on your
location. Those living in any part of the states can use the location tag in
front of the self-storage keyword. Let’s say you live in Boise, then you may
need to search for Boise ID storage
units. With this method, you can actually locate nearby storage units
easily. A nearby storage facility offers you the convenience of being able to
access your things at any time. Safety isn't an issue in these units since they
are managed well.
2. Making an unrealistic
budget
Making an unrealistic budget is a result of inaccurate cost estimates.
Renovating a house involves numerous expenses. Additional costs include general
contractor fees, expert contractor fees, material expenses, tools, and more.
Inflation is also a factor to consider. Material prices can spike during a
project. You may fail to make a budget that is adequate to cover your total
project costs if you do not include these costs.
Constrained budgets do not mean one can save money. To
ensure you are successful and that your project is completed on time, prepare a
realistic budget. As a rule of thumb, pay 20% more than your calculated budget
to cover unexpected expenses.
3. Assuming that your project
will be finished on time
Renovation projects often take longer than expected. Some
people fail to consider this fact and, therefore, rush their projects to finish
on time. Keeping to the schedule is not necessarily a bad thing, but too much
rushing and speed can affect the quality of work as well. Hence, giving a
contractor a hasty deadline won't serve your purpose. They may be able to speed
up the process, but their quality will suffer as a result. Keeping a flexible
schedule will allow you to plan ahead for delays.
4. Taking on a complex
project yourself
Even if you enjoy spending time in your home, it does not
mean you can complete every home renovation project. If you need to replace a
few basic fixtures, tile the bathroom, or perform similar tasks, you might
consider DIY. If your renovation project includes repairing complicated water
damage issues or redesigning your kitchen, you need an expert contractor. Make
sure you choose the right contractor for your project.
The general contractor often works with multiple projects in
the house and has their own equipment and team of experts. On the other hand,
professional experts specialize in a specific area. It may include water damage
restoration, plumbing, and electrical installation, so look for one who is
experienced in your area of work. To ensure the quality of your contractor, ask
for references and pictures of their previous work and sign a formal contract
only once you are satisfied with their work.
5. Contracts without penalty
clauses
Nobody cares more about your house than you do. There have
been numerous instances in which careless behavior has led to property damage.
It is therefore essential to specify the penalties for property damage in the home
renovation contract. You must clearly define the person or organization
responsible and the fine levied against them.
6. Ignoring what lies behind
the walls
There's a possibility you'll be knocking down some walls as
part of the project. It may be to create an open floor plan or to increase
space in your room. Either way, it can be very costly if you don't consider
what lies behind the walls before making any drastic changes. Most houses have
plumbing and electrical wiring networks behind the walls. Thus, felling
structures without thinking and planning can be dangerous for the project.
There are many cases in which carelessness can lead to
additional repair costs. Before making any drastic changes, always consult with
an interior designer or architect. If necessary, they may suggest that you
modify your floor plan or add structural support to your design. Having this
experience will help you make any changes to your home in a safe and secure
manner.
7. Choosing cheaper materials
Most homeowners are limited by their budgets when they
decide to modify their homes. As a result, they make the grave mistake of
choosing low-quality materials. It may seem like a big deal at the time of
purchase, but in reality, cheaper material usually costs you more in the long
run because it doesn't last as long. In areas where there is a lot of humidity
or heat, such as the bathroom and kitchen, cheap material can deteriorate
faster than you expect. So, if need be, shorten your project and plan some
changes for the next round, but just be sure not to cut corners. You will be
able to enjoy your house for many years to come with high-quality tiles,
fixtures, and ceramics.
Conclusion
There are always going to be mistakes in a home renovation
project. If you carefully plan your project while considering all its aspects,
you can minimize the chances of these mistakes. A realistic budget, timeline,
the quality of the material, and your contractor's ability are some of the
aspects that can make or break your project. To avoid regrets later, take the
time to discuss all the details and your requirements with your contractor and
the designer during the planning phase.
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