No one has ever claimed that renovating their house was easy. Even simple projects, like replacing a screen door or refacing cabinets can have some unexpected challenges that surprise homeowners. Renovating your house can boost your homes worth and give it a much fresher and updated look. So if you are planning a renovation, here are some things you should avoid doing.
Starting Without a Plan
Renovations are not something you can simply wing. In order to conserve time, money, and future headaches you should create a detailed plan of all the work the needs to be done. For example, to add a tile accent to your bathroom you will need to gather the right tools, turn off the power to the area, mix and spread the mortar, and install the tile in small sections.
Hiring a Handyman Instead of a Contractor
Handymen are great when it comes to fixing minor things, such as broken windows, replacing ceiling fans, or fixing a leaky toilet. However, for more complicated projects you will want to hire a professional contractor. While you may have to pay more, you can rest assured that the work quality will be higher. You also get an extra layer of legal protection, since licensed contractors typically need to have insurance that protects customers if they fail to complete the job properly.
Overestimating Your DIY Skills
One of the more obvious ways to save money is to do the work yourself, however, that’s not always the best idea. DIY is ok for making aesthetic updates like backsplashes or tile but it gets a little riskier when you start removing walls. Also if you mess up and have to start over you may be paying twice the amount of money to fix the damage you’ve done.
Underestimating Renovation Costs
Pricing out some home improvement projects is fairly straightforward. If you’re replacing a washer and dryer, it’s pretty easy to calculate how much the new appliances are going to cost. However, budgeting for bigger renovations can be trickier, especially if you have to tear down walls, which could reveal problems hiding behind the drywall. The best thing to do is thoroughly research the total cost of your project, and then add 10% to 15% for those unforeseen expenses.
Buying Cheap Materials
You don’t want to skimp on building materials even though the price of those cheaper materials look tempting. However, cheaper materials tend to have a shorter life span and they are also more susceptible to damage. You don’t need to buy the most expensive materials out there but be sure to factor in quality when planning your renovation designs.