When it comes to renovating, it’s often a massive learning curve, but there are many misconceptions and mistakes that, as homeowners, we all can make. We’re going to show you some of the most common- which of these completely escaped your mind?
Choosing the Cheapest Contractor
It’s always tempting to save money at every turn by hiring the lowest bidder, however, this can often lead to work that is way below par and costs you more in the long run. When selecting contractors, it’s important to balance costs with quality and experience.
Kitchen and bath renovation companies like EKB come with awards and recommendations, and this needs to be a big lesson in hiring the right people for the job. While some local contractor who barely has a Facebook page may come recommended by an old auntie, that doesn’t mean they’re going to help in the long run. What is your mark of quality? Never settle for anything less than what’s fantastic in your eyes!
Not Considering the Long-Term Value
Renovations shouldn’t just cater to your current needs, but you need to bear in mind the property’s long-term value. We all want homes to be fantastic, however, if we improve everything to the point where it exceeds the standards of the neighborhood while also ignoring the local area’s price ceiling, it can mean a very poor return on your investment.
If this is going to be your forever home, so be it, but if you’ve just got onto the property ladder, really ask yourself what you want in 5, 10, and 20 years from now.
Neglecting the Invisible Work
Many renovators focus too much on the visible improvements, like the designs and décor, but this can be at the expense of crucial structural work. We need to prioritize key repairs, for example, timber and roofs, because this will prevent future deterioration.
As tempting as it can be to focus on creating something that looks amazing, we need to address the concept of functionality as well. For example, in bathroom renovations, you may choose stylish features, but they’re not practical for your bathroom!
Overestimating Your DIY Abilities
It’s absolutely fair game if you want to have a go, but complex renovation tasks without the necessary skills can result in far more costly mistakes. We should all know when it’s necessary to hire a contractor, especially for tasks that involve electrical work, plumbing, or structural changes.
Ignoring Building Regulations and Permits
We can make a whole heap of changes to our property, but if this comes at the expense of really costly corrections later because you violated some major legal issue, you should do your research first just to double-check you’re complying with local building codes and regulations. You very likely are, but you never know!
A Lack of Forethought
Many homeowners jump into renovations without giving major thought to design, materials, and potential challenges. We can all underestimate the costs and the time, and it’s recommended to add a contingency fund of between 15% and 25% to cover unforeseen expenses. Rushing into a project without proper planning can be costly in terms of time and your finances.
There are many common pitfalls, so be aware so you can save yourself time, money, and more importantly, stress during the renovation process.
