Many people after renovating a home have certain regrets about things they don’t like that could have been prevented before or during the renovation but now are expensive to be fixed. Such home renovation mistakes are frequent when you don’t have a clear plan before starting the work.
Such a project needs to be handled by professionals. Doing it yourself, whether in the planning phase or the work itself is a mistake that can lead to poor results.
Images that look good on paper of beautiful houses and interiors may not look the same in your house, or may not be as affordable as you initially thought.
In order to prevent all the regrets and complaints that you may have after renovating, we reached out to 25 interior designers and asked them to share:
What are the top three home renovation mistakes people should avoid?
It’s always better to learn from other people’s mistakes and avoid doing them yourself. Keep reading to see what are the most important things to which you have to pay attention when planning and executing your home renovation.
Kerrie Kelly
The top mistakes to avoid when renovating your home:
1. Be realistic with your budget.
As the remodeling process moves along, there may be structural surprises along the way like plumbing, dry rot, and electrical issues.
In some cases you may need more material or want to modify the design a bit, requiring a change order, all of which will cost you.
When thinking about your budget, account for an additional 15-20% for anything that may come up along the way.
2. Don’t design your space based on current trends alone.
Identify elements that are trending and those that are timeless and marry the styles together. You will want to design a space that is going to still be beautiful 10-15 years from now.
For example, if you’re into brushed brass but feel that it will eventually go out of style, incorporate it in ways that are easy to change down the road—think hardware, lighting, plumbing and even decorative accents.
If you want to bring in a little color, try painting the kitchen island, adding colorful artwork or vibrant accessories. This will allow you to easily the change the color down the road, giving you the feeling of a brand-new space without a major cost.
3. Hire the right contractor.
Although contractors are very busy in today’s market and hard to pin down, securing a good one is a top priority. You don’t necessarily want to go with the lowest bid and fastest timeline.
Saving money is great; however, if the contractor doesn’t produce great work, you could be spending a lot more to fix mistakes down the road. In the process of finding a great roofing contractor, it’s essential to take your time and conduct thorough research to ensure the best possible outcome for your roofing project. Interview multiple contractors, compare bids, ask for references and a portfolio of their completed work.
Lastly, make sure you like each other, as you will be working together and in constant communication through the entire process.
Heather Mastrangeli – Innovatus Design
Three top renovation mistakes to avoid:
1. Not sticking to the budget.
Projects that go over budget are common as a result of poor planning (or unforeseen costs come up during the reno).
It’s important to decide how much you can invest into the renovation, and break this down into what is realistic.
For example, in a bathroom renovation, you could spend anywhere from $4,000-$20,000 depending on the room size, labor, and material costs.
It’s crucial to get quotes from multiple trades to start quantifying each stage and product needed.
2. Purchasing cheap fixtures and fittings.
Anything that has regular use is always worth investing in, such as faucets, lighting, and large furniture.
The best products will come with long and competitive warranties to guarantee the level of quality. The bottom line – it pays to invest in quality products.
3. “Doing it yourself” instead of hiring professionals could cost homeowners more money in the long run.
While skipping corners and saving a few bucks is tempting when the budget is tight, you could do more harm than good.
Doing things yourself could be dangerous, whereas professionals do these jobs every day! Consider hiring an experienced designer or general contractor to manage the project.
Matt Riley – Tonic
1. Start with a clear vision of what your current home is missing and what you need to add or change that will make the most impact on your experience of the home and its future potential value to others.
2. Avoid getting caught in current style trends.
What’s popular today may not be popular tomorrow. Choose main elements and finishes that can be adapted over time.
3. Planning is everything. Work with a professional.
If you have a vision for your home – work with an architect on a concept design which includes and explores the best options for the renovation.
They can help you find creative solutions that avoid adding wasted space, ensure best response to climate, and ensure your renovation is flexible enough to last longer as your life needs to change.
Tristan Gary Design
1. Never begin a project before you have a complete design and budget!
We have been guilty of this in the past because clients are in a hurry or need to be in their house by X date. Experience has taught us that rushing the design process will cause cost overruns and changes to a project.
If a proper scope and budget are done, then a client can either increase the budget or reduce the scope if needed. Once the demo has been done, those opportunities are much smaller.
2. Don’t start the project without materials ready!
This can cause delays from backorders or materials arriving damaged. We don’t begin projects until we have at least 80% of our materials on site.
We can schedule projects much better this way, have happier clients, and have fewer second-guessing tile choices because it’s all ready to go.
3. Avoid micromanaging!
Have renderings done to ensure everyone sees the same vision. Have faith in your contractor and subcontractors.
Remember that everyone is on the same page and in the end, everyone will be very proud of the work they have done. Have fun with it!
Andra DelMonico – Trendey
1. The biggest mistake people make is with their budgeting.
They either fail to create a budget or overestimate what they can do with their budget. This leaves them spending more than they planned or finding themselves financially stuck mid-project.
To avoid this mistake, homeowners should create a realistic budget that they can afford before they start planning any project.
It should have a cushion built into it to allow for unforeseen issues that inevitably arise throughout a project. Then you can scale your project expectations to fit the budget.
2. Another common mistake is being too focused on looks and trends.
The result is a renovation that looks beautiful but isn’t very functional. Then in a few years, trends will change, and your home will look old and dated.
If you’re going to invest money in a home renovation, ensure it’s going to be a lasting investment that will enhance the value of your home and last for longer than a few years.
3. The third most common mistake that homeowners make is buying new furniture and home decor too early on in the process.
Plans and ideas change throughout a project, and that sofa or bedroom set that you fell in love with may no longer work. If you buy pieces too early, you’ll need a place to store them while you finish your renovation project.
Finally, people feel pressured to buy everything for a room right away, which can lead to compromises and buying pieces that they aren’t totally in love with.
Sara Plaisted – Lori Dennis
The top three home renovation mistakes people should avoid are:
1. Continuing to shop after selections have been made.
It can be tempting to continue to look at different designs or products during a remodel, or to show friends in excitement. But this can get confusing, overwhelming, and you tend to second guess yourself.
It’s best to go with your initial response to a design and keep the project moving forward without causing any delays or making major changes to the design as a whole.
2. Waiting until the last minute to make decisions.
If possible, order everything ahead of time, have it stored on-site and ready for construction to begin. This will save the sub-contractors time and will help your project move ahead smoothly.
It will also avoid any need to reselect items that have been discontinued. Purchase all the plumbing, appliances, lighting fixtures, hardware, and finish materials (like tile and flooring), and have the contractor order the windows and doors.
Don’t forget to order an extra 15%-20% overage on materials, and have light bulbs available so the electricians can check the fixtures they’ve installed.
3. Not keeping expectations in check.
A remodel can be an unsettling and emotional time, but worth it in the end. Unexpected things come up during the process which may cause delays.
The building structure may have an issue that was unknown during the original walk-through. There might be permit delays, purchased items that are now discontinued, supply chain delays, or additional work that needs to be done.
It’s best to add at least 20% to the proposed timeline and budget, just to be on the safe side. And remember, this is a time to practice patience. Everyone is working hard to make your project exactly what you dreamed of.
Ben Soreff – House to Home Organizing
In terms of home renovation mistakes people should avoid, there is certainly a long list, but for me the top three are below.
1. Money
At the end of the day, whether it is a home reno or anything else having to do with the home it almost always comes down to money.
While creating a home renovation budget is important it is more important to factor in the things you can’t control. Especially, recently, the cost of supplies has, in some cases, doubled.
You may start a project and mid-way through the cost may spiral out of control. It is very important to have a very sizable cushion in your budget. In fact, the very first step may be to see if you can afford the project at all.
Another way to protect yourself is to purchase all the supplies and items first before even starting the project.
Another trick is not to get carried away with possibilities (see Instagram) but triage the renovation on the bare minimum and figure out that budget first.
2. Hiring
Ask yourself if you are doing the work yourself. Most people don’t finish what they start and even if you are an expert and feel you can do the work yourself, remember you have a job, a family and many other time commitments.
If you can hire a general contractor or various specialists. Do your research. Get references. The cheapest contractor may be super affordable for a reason.
I have been in many new buildings and home remodels and have never seen them 100% complete. Getting over the finish line seems impossible for most projects, they are never done.
Your contract is very important, especially with the delivery of the final payment. That being said, if you trust your contractor then trust their expertise and guidance.
You may think you want something you saw on HGTV but the contractor may have an expert reason that it simply does not make sense for your home.
3. Life
The disruption on your life, during a home renovation, can be extreme. If you move out into a rental or stay with family know that in most cases you may need to double the amount of time you planned on.
If you stay in the home during the project you need to factor in the disruption to your daily routine, life and sometimes health. There will be dust everywhere. There may be trip hazards everywhere.
You may be cooking dinner in the laundry room and if you work from home the noise will be an issue. Remember even the kids will get sick of eating take out every day for two months.
Darla DeMorrow – HeartWork Organizing
The home renovation mistakes you should avoid are are:
1. Spend less time planning your renovation than doing it.
The planning time may feel like a drag, but fixing mistakes on paper cost you nothing. Fixing mistakes during construction can be costly.
2. Not having every single fixture on site before starting your project.
Not having all the materials on hand will slow down your contractor, who is juggling multiple jobs.
Make it easy on everyone and have every little thing on site before starting. That includes tile, cabinets, doors, faucets, and every little thing that your contractor needs to install.
You don’t want to have the construction project that drags on forever because of that one cabinet that never arrived.
3. Tackling a pro project with DIY skills.
Sure, you could refinish your floors yourself, but since you’ve never done it before, you won’t get pro results.
Bring in the pros to protect your biggest investment, save time, and save your muscles.
Susan Serra Associates
1. Put your trust in professionals in a particular area of expertise.
For example, put weight on the advice of an architect who has knowledge of structural issues, a designer who is a kitchen specialist, and so on.
Those professionals who work in specific areas of remodeling every single day have broad knowledge and experience in their field. Don’t ask the contractor to design your kitchen!
2. Make sure all professionals who work in your home have proper local licensing and insurance.
This assures the companies you hire have a level of professionalism and you have recourse if anything goes wrong.
Likewise, look for professionals who are members of their national organizations – example, NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association), NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industry)
3. Collect and store inspirational images, articles, contracts, drawings, and notes in a simple project management system, categorized for optimal organization. Add all the details about your project in this space.
Robin Burrill – Signature Home Services
1. The biggest mistake people make is going in without set expectations.
That’s true whether the renovation is quick and easy, like resealing a door, or is an elaborate project like a $300,000 kitchen remodel. Understand what you want to get out of a home renovation in the final look, feel, and functionality.
Also know what you expect from your contractor along the way. Only then will you know how to budget and how to find the right professional to work with.
2. One mistake we see made time and again is to consider only how selections look.
Yes, that couch may have a darling color, or that fabric may feel incredible to the touch.
If the craftsmanship of furniture and other selections aren’t the best, however, you will need to be prepared to either replace the item in five years or to get it fixed more than once over its lifespan.
3. Another mistake we see made often in home renovations is to forget to include a contingency in your budget.
A contractor might quote you at $10,000 for some “facelift” updates for your bathroom, for example, but if the contractor finds something behind the walls that needs fixing (like plumbing problems, mold, or any other “surprise”), then your total budget will have to change.
Be prepared for these inevitable “surprises” with a 10-15% contingency of savings above the budget you plan for.
Josie Abate – Ambience
The top three home renovation mistakes to avoid are underestimating stressors, not getting the right help from the start and not getting adequate insurance.
Most homeowners underestimate the psychological effects of home renovation projects. It is common to disagree on many details in the home.
Knowing that it is normal for issues to arise during the renovation will set the expectation that not everything will go smoothly. Having the right team by your side will assist with advance planning.
An interior designer and general contractor can offer fully tailored services to build whatever you have in mind. Through them, you can access a vast network of vendors that can supply materials at a reduced price.
They will oversee every aspect of your project, and have a complete grasp on the scope, timeline, and budget, keeping you informed throughout the process.
If you’re worried about people working in your home, you won’t be held responsible for any injuries or losses that occur on the building site if you have general liability insurance. You will relax knowing that your project is protected by an insurer.
Ana Ochoa – Sunrise Valley Farm Co
1. Do not rush to renovate.
Rushing to renovate (or furnish!) is a huge mistake I’ve seen my past design clients make.
When you haven’t lived in a home long enough, it’s tough to determine what you really want & need, even if you think you know precisely what that is.
Spend some time living in your home before making big renovation decisions. You are far more likely to love what you choose if you’ve had some time to figure out how you and your family live and love in that specific home.
2. Always get at least two quotes – three is even better!
Another big mistake I see clients make is going with the first quote they receive on a particular project.
Without any reference point (to another quote for example), it’s very hard to know if you are being taken advantage of, or if you maybe received a very affordable price from someone not very experienced. Either way, you lose.
So seek out two, even three quotes if you can. Not only does this give you a range of prices, but you can also meet with different contractors or designers to see who you get along with best personality-wise!
3. Thinking that just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t matter.
It’s fun to renovate the things you can see – tile, flooring, and accent walls. But when you have to put money into things like wiring, subfloor, or other things you can’t see with your eyes on a day-to-day basis, it becomes less fun, right?
But don’t let that stop you from investing in those things you can’t see, because most of the time, those are the things that actually make your home comfortable to live in.
They are also the things that become very hard to change later on. Investing upfront in getting good bones for your house isn’t something you’ll regret later, so make sure you’re thinking about those less exciting “hidden” aspects upfront!
Kim Jones – Lock and Key Home
1. Renovating a kitchen purely based on looks and not function.
We organize so many kitchens that look beautiful and appear large, but have zero storage, functional space.
A great example was a recent kitchen that was remodeled to have two dishwashers: one on the island and one by the coffee station on the opposite side of the island. In addition there were three sinks (island, bar area, and coffee station) and two wine coolers.
With the addition of the appliances, there were only 3 top drawers available in the entire kitchen. It made it extremely difficult for storage space to organize the kitchen.
We had to use a lot of the cabinets with bins to make space for items that would usually be in drawers.
2. Spending a ton of money for a renovation, then using builder’s grade wire shelving for the closet.
The closet should not be a last second thought. It should be as important as every detail of a bath, bedroom remodel from faucets to door knobs.
We have often walked into million dollar homes that were breathtaking to only find out the closet was either the awesome one bar wonder or the wire shelving that was about to fall out of the wall any second.
People often think a custom closet is really costly, but it doesn’t have to be. You can easily design a custom closet that will not cost a lot more and it will function and look way better.
3. Lack of a mudroom, drop zone.
It is a newer trend so a lot of new construction homes will have a dedicated space but older homes do not.
In doing a renovation for the first floor, the kitchen area, remember to create space for all the things that ultimately get dropped on the counter creating clutter: coats, bags, purses, mail, etc.
A lot of times perfect vertical space will get overlooked in renovations that could be vital for all these items to have a happy home.
KD Reid
1. Homeowners who attempt to complete these tasks without the necessary skills end up making costly errors.
There’s a lot more to house renovation than you might imagine, regardless of whether you’re planning a complete overhaul or are just trying to redecorate.
Working with a professional will save you time, keep you inside your budget, and ensure that your project is being managed by a specialist.
Hire an expert to help you with your home improvement goals; investigate the professional’s prior work.
2. Homeowners frequently commit the error of failing to factor in the hidden costs of home renovations.
Planning a realistic budget to take into account unforeseen building costs will have an influence on the plumbing, electrical, and structural support already in place, which will have an impact on the budget.
3. Don’t buy cheap materials.
The adage “You get what you pay for” applies here. And it is especially true of the goods and materials used in house construction. You might make a small upfront savings. But the expense of upkeep will rise with time.
The less expensive items frequently have a lesser quality and don’t hold up as well in harsher settings like the kitchen or bathroom. Invest in the top materials and goods you can afford to do yourself a favor.
In addition to lasting longer, they will also improve the appearance and quality of the house renovations completed with them over time.
Don’t cut corners on expensive fixtures or appliances either. These goods increase the value of your house and are long-lasting.
Adrian Ramsay Design House
1. Prioritising form over function
Overlooking functionality will lead to more unnecessary problems. Think about how the space will work for your family in the time you envision living there for.
Ultimately the budget and timeline of the renovation are determined by the needs and functionality of your space.
2. Underestimating renovation costs
Your renovation will always cost more than you expect. Having contingency funds ready if needed will help alleviate the stress of unexpected additional costs during the renovation.
Accepting and acknowledging this will help you to have a more positive outlook on the experience after.
Labour and materials costs are a huge influence on the price, especially in the current circumstances with global material shortages.
Additionally, if you do not want to over-capitalise, invest in the spaces that will increase the value of your home, these are high-function spaces, like the kitchen.
However, never overlook the value of adding a bedroom, it is the fastest way to add value to a house.
3. Not getting professional help
Having a designer on your team will add invaluable knowledge and experience. They can also anticipate any unforeseen problems, such as crucial and necessary structural improvements.
You need someone who will listen, work with your budget and has a creative problem-solving mind. A designer will challenge you to future-proof the home.
Emily Mackie – Inspired Interiors
1. Understand what an overall spending budget is.
Number one, establish your overall spending target. And your overall spending target should be created by what did you buy your home for? And what are the comparable properties around you selling for?
Think of the maximum amount the homes around yours are selling for. These figures give you a spending target to plan your renovation budget at.
It’s great to see what the other homes are doing with their budgets and what they’ve changed to get a little more. It would be useful to compare these figures against your own house.
Does it need a good new kitchen? Is it outdated in some way? Think about what you spend on, like kitchens, bathrooms and other things that can stand to be updated.
2. Create an overall spending budget.
The best way to come up with a budget is to list everything that needs to be updated, whether it’s the walls, flooring, or countertops. You can use a spreadsheet.
Set a realistic budget that you can work with so that you have room to scale up or down depending on your market and buyer research results.
3. Stay away from making a lot of emotional decisions.
It’s like walking into a grocery store with only $100 to feed your family for the week. We would plan what to buy and stick to it because we had to make it last all week.
Once in a while, we splurge on something extra, but we always ensure those extras don’t interfere with the important basics. You can do this, too, by making sure you have a plan and sticking to it.
Megan Dufresne – MC Design
Over the years I’ve come across many mistakes made by homeowners during a home renovation project. Those mistakes range from inconvenient to downright costly.
Here are my top three home renovation mistakes to avoid to save you time, money, and the headache of having to fix them.
1. Not budgeting enough money for your remodel
As a rule, it will usually cost three times what you think it will. I always include a contingency in my budget to cover unforeseen costs and just serve as a safety net. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
2. Being “trendy” in your design choices
Trends are always changing. When you make a trend the foundation of your remodel it will require you to remodel again sooner than if you were to select timeless options.
I like to incorporate trendy pieces into my overall design to keep things feeling fresh and current, but that can also be easily switched out when those trends inevitably become outdated.
3. Not hiring licensed professionals
This will cost more time and money in mistakes than it would have if you had hired the correct team of professionals from the beginning.
Hiring licensed professionals will protect you if things go wrong. Licensing requires that the contractor be knowledgeable and insured in their trade.
Jonathan Prichard – Mattress Insider
Here are some of the top home renovation mistakes I see people make when they renovate their bedrooms:
1. Not measuring the bed and mattress size they want to put in the bedroom before they start renovating to ensure it will fit in the new room design.
2. Building a new bed frame or headboard that doesn’t fit their mattress or isn’t strong enough to support their mattress.
It’s trendy to have a creative bed platform or headboard these days, but don’t give up function for a unique design.
For example, if you know you want a thick king-size mattress, make sure the platform can support that weight plus your body weight.
3. Adding elements to the bedroom design or structure that makes it impossible to fit a standard-size bed.
As a result, the owner needs to buy a custom bed frame and mattress to fit the unique space, which they probably didn’t initially budget for.
This could be a special size or shape mattress or a mattress with cutouts to fit an unusual space. It can be done, but it will cost more. Therefore, it should be considered upfront.
Angela Higgins – Nourished Home
1. Rushing through the planning stage
When embarking on a reno, you must allow for lots of time to get your team and plan in place. Unlike what we see on those impressive home improvement shows, real-life renovations take time.
There’s nothing quick about a major renovation, and decorating doesn’t happen overnight.
Leave ample time to plan everything out and carry out each step properly, with the expectation that things will need to be addressed that you didn’t initially anticipate.
Just the planning stage can take 3-6 months — or longer — depending on the size and scope of project.
2. Setting an unrealistic budget
Renovations cost money — and in the last few years, those costs have jumped significantly. Unexpected things will happen, and the costs will change.
Quality matters; and quality often comes at a higher price. Selecting durable, high-quality materials that you won’t have to replace in a few years is critical to long-term enjoyment of your project.
Enduring some higher upfront costs will save you money in the long run. Sometimes it can be better, when possible, to break larger projects down into smaller ones. This may allow you to maintain the quality you want, while staying within your current budget.
Too many times in my career, I’ve seen the entire budget being spent during the construction phase of the renovation, and then there is nothing left to furnish, decorate, and properly set up the space to use.
3. Being too focused on trends
Following trends can no doubt be fun, especially when you’re envisioning how those trends will look in your own space. But sometimes homeowners make the mistake of relying too much on the trends of the day.
Oftentimes, trends look better on the Pinterest Board than they actually work with your lifestyle.
Have fun with trends — just be careful about using them in permanent finishes like tiles, flooring or architectural features you’ll be living for with a long time.
Instead, try out those trendy elements on things you can easily change up, like décor, lighting, art, pillow and rugs.
Also, be cautious about trying to incorporate too many trends in the same space. This can lead to the space feeling cluttered or overwhelming. Let a few special, mindfully selected details take center stage.
The best trends are the ones that bring you joy and put a smile on your face years after the renovation is complete.
Ashley Spencer – Casart Coverings
As an artist, color consultant, and removable wallpaper designer, I can give my advice on the top three home renovation mistakes that people should avoid from my paint and wallpaper expertise that I provide my clients.
1. Failure to do your research before meeting with a paint consultant or designer.
Clipping magazine examples for the kind of look you want helps prepare you for your meeting.
These visuals help inform the designer about expectations and ensure a time-efficient meeting with the best results for design and color choices.
2. Failure to test paint samples on different walls during different times of the day before painting the entire project.
Light exposure (N, S, E, W), and natural and artificial lighting affect paint color tremendously, which can change with cool or warm hues.
3. Failure to sample different types of wallpaper before purchasing a large quantity.
Testing removable wallpaper samples first on surfaces that you’d like to apply avoids possible shock and an expensive purchase when it might not work on raised stucco or an unprepped, flat sheen painted on drywall.
Bernadette Janson – The School Of Renovating
1. Not starting with a master plan.
Completing renovations in a piecemeal way results in a lack of cohesion in the home and sometimes having to redo areas a second time, and in general a poor outcome.
The masterplan should not only cover the floorplan and construction but also the colours, finishes, and fittings.
2. Making significant changes to the home without using the services of a trained designer or architect.
The outcome is often poor use of space and light and poorly resolved details.
Renovators sometimes avoid using professionals in the design as a way to manage the budget but it usually results in an inferior outcome that ultimately has a negative impact on the value of the home.
It is important to engage a professional to at least determine the design concept.
3. Not managing the budget.
This is a critical skill in the renovation process because running out of money before the renovation is complete is extremely undesirable.
You only have to watch the TV shows like Grand Designs to know that it is common for renovators to pick a figure out of the air and then proceed without any realizing strategies for competing for the project within budget.
More often than not, the money runs out before the project does.
4. Not engaging a project manager.
Some renovators have project management skills and can self-manage but often the outcome of the project is up to the builder and or trades which can be problematic.
The most successful projects have a project manager who has the skills to be able to manage the program, the contractors, and the quality.
Kylieanne Simpson – KASdesigns Country Style
The top three home renovation mistakes to avoid when renovating include:
1. Not doing research.
Renovating is an expensive business if you don’t do your research. Knowledge is power and the more you know about costs and risks the more successful the renovation will be.
2. Employing cheap.
Cheap does not always equate to quality. You get what you pay for and it is best to get at lease 3 quotes when looking for licensed trade and following up with other clients for word of mouth feedback.
This can be the most honest feedback you can get and save you a lot of money in the long run.
3. If you don’t know what you are doing hire a professional to help.
Your stress levels will thank you for it.
Zara O’Hare – Land of Rugs
By far, the biggest mistake people make when renovating a property is underestimating the costs involved with the project.
1. Underestimating the costs involved in the project
Whilst it is very easy to draw up a budget on paper, or a spreadsheet, and say you are going to stick to this, it is incredibly hard to do in the real world.
In reality, deadlines are going to be missed by contractors, materials are not going to make it to your site on time, some materials may not be available meaning you have to invest in a higher-cost material to cover.
There are a whole host of reasons for projects going overbudget. My advice would be to add 20% to your initial budget and ensure you have the funds to cover this.
2. Not hiring an interior designer from the start
Whether you are renovating a property for you to live in yourself or to sell on for a profit once the project has been completed, it would be a major mistake to not hire an interior designer from the start of the project.
Whilst, generally, interior designers charge by the hour so will add costs to your project, you are incredibly likely to save yourself money in the long-term as you will be able to ensure everything is designed and installed properly the first time of asking.
Nobody wants to start a renovation project with a Japandi style, only to realise 6 months down the line that Japandi is now completely out of fashion. Interior designers will be able to keep you informed on this the entire time.
3. Not reading reviews and asking for references
This will apply to your construction crews, interior designers and anyone else involved in the project.
Unfortunately, home renovation is still an industry with a lot of sharks and cowboys around, so you need to take extra steps to avoid losing money and wasting a project.
Save your money, read reviews from previous customers (seek photos too if possible) and ask them to provide references.
This way, you can ensure that the contractors you are adding to the project are reputable and will not add costs to the project unnecessarily.
Christie Bell – Curated Home Designs
1. A home renovation mistake people should avoid are hiring a contractor who isn’t licensed and insured.
This could cause major problems if there are any issues with the buildout.
2. Another mistake is not planning out your renovation.
There are so many steps when involving multiple contractors. You should be thinking about the outcome and reverse engineer on who needs to come in and on what timeline.
3. Finally, a huge mistake I see is not planning out your materials and finishes.
I think clients will oftentimes see an inspiration photo and fall in love with, let’s say the cabinet color, but not note that the existing flooring or backsplash will completely clash with the new cabinet color until they spend the money and have it installed.
Benjamin Nguyen – Full Color Cleaners
Here are the three mistakes people should avoid when renovating their home:
1. Before quickly jumping into replacing a roof, you should consider having it soft-washed.
A soft wash can instantly remove the dark stains making it look like new, and increase the life of the roof for several more years.
2. A mistake homeowners also make is pressure washing their house instead of soft washing it before repainting it.
A soft wash will clean the home much better than pressure washing and help the paint much easier and last much longer.
3. People make the mistake of pressure washing a roof hoping it will help make the roof look more aesthetic.
You should never pressure wash a roof because it is dangerous and it destroys the integrity of the roof. Homeowners should only soft wash a roof to effective and safely clean a roof.
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