Common Mistakes when Remodeling a Home

Are you planning to remodel your home? Unfortunately, there are plenty of mistakes you could be making without even knowing it. Below, are a few common mistakes homeowners make while remodeling their homes so you can avoid the same errors.

1. Overspending

You certainly don’t want to be cheap when it comes to your remodel, but you also don’t want to overspend your budget. You have limited financial resources, so it’s important to consider what you have to spend, and how to spread out your money. After all, everything costs money, from the nails and screws to the construction crew. Even a small kitchen remodel can cost a considerable amount.

However, when you start the construction process, it’s important that you have at least 30 percent more than what your budget demands, in case you need to change your project or your contractor isn’t meeting their deadline and you need more resources to finish your project.

2. Failure to Get the Correct Permits

This may seem like a well-known step, but you’d be surprised how many homeowners fail to get the right permits for their remodel. For example, if you don’t have the right legal permits for the job, your neighbor can report you and force you to undo all the work you’ve put into your house. Plus, if an accident happens during the remodel, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it if you don’t have a valid permit for the project.

3. Ignoring Common Safety Practices

One of the biggest factors to have a successful remodel is to ensure a safe job site. This may seem standard among home constructions, but remodels are known to come with a variety of injuries. This is why it’s important to always make sure you ensure safety practices for your home while your project is occurring and with the contractors working on your remodel. From forgetting to turn off main breakers to fallen ladders, there are plenty of avoidable problems on the job site that you can prevent with common safety practices.

4. Only Caring About Aesthetics

The biggest thing that homeowners care about is the resale value of their property. Often enough, people care more about their new tub or kitchen counter, than serious structural maintenance such as pipes, interior wires, and foundation repairs. Only focusing on aesthetics will end up costing you money in the long run, as well as your own property.

5. Utilizing Cheap Materials

When it comes to building materials and renovations, you really do get what you pay for. Do your research before buying materials and tools for your renovation. More expensive tools can do a better job than inexpensive ones. The same goes for materials, too. These more expensive products are a higher quality and are well worth the investment.

6. Measuring Inaccurately

You should always listen to the old advice, “measure twice, cut once.” Even half an inch can be disastrous and costly when it comes to a remodeling project.A small kitchen remodels can be totally thrown off by a mismeasured cabinet. This is where planning for mistakes in your budget really comes in handy. A little bit of buffer money can protect you if a mistake is made and needs to be fixed.

7. Not Being Eco-Friendly

Whether you are planning on living in your home or selling it, you do not want to skip going green. This is more than just a trend; sustainability is here to stay. Many homeowners seek out environmentally friendly features. Plus, this type of renovation can benefit you as well by lowering your utility costs and your insurance premiums. Eco-friendly resources and materials are available for all kind of budgets and personal preferences.

Hopefully, now you’ll feel better prepared to start the kitchen remodel project you’ve been thinking of.

Author: Jamison Hutton