Buying Cheap Materials
It’s not uncommon for people wanting to save a little money when renovating their home. Basically, we want the best quality materials but for the cheapest price and most of the time that doesn’t quite work out. When it comes to materials you essentially get what you pay for. So if quartz countertops are really something that you need in your kitchen then don’t try to shop for the cheapest thing you can find. Instead try to cut corners somewhere else, like maybe helping out with demo or placing tile.
Inaccurate Measurements
If one of the ways you are trying to keep your renovation on the cheap side is taking your own measurements, be sure they are accurate. You would be surprised at how much an inch or even half an inch can ruin the layout of any room. If your dimensions are not equal and symmetrical you will notice and you won’t get the impact you were looking for.
Building a Small Bathroom
If you are in need of a half bath down stairs be sure to get a sink and a toilet that don’t crowd the space. Trying to fit a full-size sink into a tiny bathroom is a recipe for disaster. You can buy low-profile toilets and narrower sinks to maximize the space. Pair that with a bold color or wallpaper and you will be good to go.
Too Trendy
Watching HGTV can spark your inspiration and when it comes to doing your own renovation you may want to pick the same trendy stuff they choose on the shows. However, what people don’t realize is trends fade and sometimes they fade fast. You want to go with a timeless, classic look that fits YOUR style.
Not Going Green
Unfortunately, people like to save more money upfront than over the course of time. So going green is normally not at the top of anyone’s list. Either they don’t know how to go green or they don’t want to spend the money. However, not only will your energy efficient home save you money over the long run but you will actually be ahead of the market. Green homes are becoming more and more common so if you invest in it now your resale value in a few years will be through the roof.
Overbuilding for your Neighborhood
The biggest mistake people make when they are trying to figure out what the payback is going to be is overbuilding for their neighborhood. For example, if you have a $200,000 house and you add a $100,000 addition to it so now you have a $300,000 house in a $200,000 neighborhood.