Home renovations are costly in terms of time and money, which is why you cannot afford to go wrong. Whether you want to refresh your home’s look or prepare it for sale, you need to ensure you do it right to avoid disappointments and regrets in the future. To help realize a seamless first-time home renovation, below are five mistakes you should avoid.
1. Hiring the First Contractor that Gives You a Quote
A home renovation requires adequate planning. Doing so protects you from last-minute decisions that may lead you to settle for whatever is available at the expense of quality. One of the most common mistakes you can make when renovating your home is hiring the first contractor that offers you a quote.
Before hiring a professional for your home renovation, it is advisable to compare different quotes from different potential contractors. Doing so allows you to evaluate the various offers and choose one with the best value for money.
It is also a great way to help you save as you can get more affordable services from reliable contractors. Before deciding to work with a contractor for your home renovation, consider the following factors:
- Experience and Skill
- License and insurance
- Reviews from past clients
- Portfolio of past projects
- Pricing
Check: How to Plan the Ultimate Home Renovation Project
While you need to stay within your budget, never compromise quality for a lower price as you are better off investing in quality services that will serve you a lifetime.
2. Making an Unrealistic Budget
Most people do not account for emergencies and unforeseen costs that may crop up during and after the project when budgeting. As you plan your home renovation, you may underestimate the costs, leading to financial shocks and overspending. It may also lead to project delays or even stalling of the project due to low funds.
To avoid making budgeting mistakes, ensure you research the entire cost of your renovation, ranging from labor costs to materials and miscellaneous expenses. When budgeting, write down all the items you need for the project and their cost and add 20% extra to the amount.
The surplus should cater to emergency costs and hidden expenses like residential dumpster rental services, local council fees, and rental payments if you have to move out during the renovation.
3. Leaving No Room for Flexibility
Most people assume that everything about the renovation will go according to the plan. Regardless of how meticulously you plan your renovation, some things may go wrong as they may not be in your control.
For example, foul weather may delay your project, or your ideal materials may not be available in the stores. You may also experience price changes for renovation materials, which will require you to revise your choices.
While it is crucial to stick to your initial plan, you should always be flexible enough to accommodate unexpected changes. You can do this by anticipating roadblocks and coming up with alternatives to ensure you complete your renovation successfully despite the challenges.
Regarding timelines and budgets, provide an allowance by extending the timeline by a few weeks and setting aside more funds than you think you need.
4. Following Trends
When renovating a home, it is common to incorporate trendy looks and features. However, trends are very volatile and change with time, which may affect your home’s resale value. What’s more, whatever may be trending today may not be appealing in the next two years.
As such, when planning your home renovation, always opt for timeless designs that will enhance your home’s aesthetics without making your home look like it is stuck in a particular period.
Look at the bigger picture and think about how your home will look ten years from now so you can be more careful when making your renovation choices. On the same note, avoid focusing too much on appearance and neglecting function.
As you renovate your home, ensure that the designs and features you choose promote the convenience of the space while improving its appearance. The best way to achieve a timeless look when renovating is by consulting a designer.
5. Being Cheap
In an attempt to spend less, most people make the mistake of being cheap, ranging from choosing the lowest quotes to buying cheap materials and going the DIY route. While it is advisable to stick to your budget and save whenever you can, cheap things always come at a cost.
Low-priced contractors may cut corners in craftsmanship while the materials are usually of inferior quality. As such, you may have to replace them sooner or even perform another renovation due to poor technique.
Always invest in quality services and materials that will last you for ages. Also, avoid going the DIY route if you don’t have the right skills for the job.
Although it may help you save money in terms of labor cost, you may end up making more costly mistakes. If you lack the necessary specialized skills and equipment for the job, it is better to leave the job for professionals who will get it right the first time.
With the above information, you improve your chances of experiencing a hassle-free renovation. Consider working with residential dumpster rental services for professional site clean-up during your renovation.