Five Home Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

If you’re going to remodel your home, you will want to be sure to avoid as many home remodeling mistakes as possible!

After staring at a design you haven’t liked for years, you’ve finally made the decision to remodel your home. Whether you’re focusing on one project, like a basement finish or multiple projects like kitchen and bathroom remodeling, it can be a daunting task to figure out all the specifics.

You have to determine direction of the remodel in order to determine if you’re going to do it yourself or hire a contractor. You will need to account for how much you want to spend and countless other things that will undoubtedly pop up throughout the process.

Be sure to avoid these five home remodeling mistakes and you will get the most out of your money and time.

Don’t do it yourself if you can’t do it yourself.

A lot of people watch home remodeling shows on television or watch tips on YouTube or any other medium and think that they can handle a remodel themselves. They see contractors putting up drywall so easily and laying the hardwood with no problem and think it’s something that anyone can do. It’s not. A home remodel is something you want done right, and any small issue that comes up from not knowing exactly what to do will almost always lead to a big issue down the road that will probably cost more to fix than the original remodel price.
Don’t go cheap on a contractor.

It’s fair to say that a lot of home renovation mistakes come from the home owner trying to cut corners and save money somewhere. There are certainly places to save costs, but the person who you let into your home to turn it into your dream is not the place. You certainly don’t have to hire the most expensive contractor, and there are times that the least expensive bid actually does work best for you, but you’re better off going with a contractor with experience and with people who can vouch for them. With a little research, it’s apparent who the good ones are and who to ultimately avoid.
Don’t get angry or frustrated during the remodel process.

No matter what it is you’re having done to your home, the project in its middle stages can make you tear your hair out. Maybe a room is torn down to the studs and you thought it would look bigger or you think you’ve changed your mind about something. Whatever it is, let the process play out. Sometimes you have to make a bit of a mess before you can get to where you want to be, and that’s very much true in a remodel. Obviously situations occur when you need to make changes on the fly, but largely, it’s important to trust your vision and your contractor’s vision.
Don’t ignore your neighborhood.

It’s possible to renovate your home and end up with something too nice for your neighborhood. If you’re staying in your home for a long time and aren’t doing anything visible on the outside, this isn’t quite as important, but if you’re either selling soon or doing something on the outside, it can be vital. If you’re selling, there is such a thing as out-pricing your house from the neighborhood. If you’re not selling, you don’t want to alienate neighbors with a massive addition that changes the complexion of the block. Just be mindful of what’s around you when renovating.
Don’t hem and haw over every decision.

Yes, a renovation can be very expensive, so you want to get everything exactly right. That makes total sense. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to agonize over every single decision. Take your time and make an informed choice on everything, but don’t spend an inordinate amount of time. For one, you can go crazy thinking about all the options you have. There are probably hundreds of light fixtures you like for your home. Many will work and look fantastic. Spending too much time deciding from among your favorite seven can delay work. If you’re remodeling a kitchen and can’t decide between two countertops because the stripe in one is 1/16 of an inch smaller and you’re not sure if you prefer that or the other, you’re likely delaying getting your kitchen in order.

Certainly take as much time needed to make the right choice, but trust your gut. It’ll keep you sane and keep your renovation on target.

Comerio Homes has been in the home remodel and new home building business in the Kansas City area since 2005. Contact us for a free consultation today!