Renovations quickly come up to par with the excitement of buying a new home. It can be a fascinating, rewarding process where you get to put your spin on an existing place. Renovations allow you to exercise your creativity to the max, as you have to transform an average layout into something stunning. However, renovations aren’t all fun and games. If you’re unprepared, you might end up causing long-lasting damage to your property.
Furthermore, you might end up wasting a lot of money and causing a lot of unnecessary inconvenience to yourself and your family. If somehow it is your first time renovating your home, you might not know where to start to prep properly. However, we’ve got all your bases covered. Keep reading below to learn what you need to avoid to ensure that your renovation plans stay on track.
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Keeping all your furniture at home
It is easily the most common mistake that homeowners make when diving into a renovation project. Unfortunately, it’s also a mistake that even seasoned homeowners often make and one that can cost you immensely in the long run. There are several drawbacks to keeping your home furnished while there’s a renovation project underway. For starters, there’s a high probability that your furniture might get damaged. Furthermore, all that furniture can impede the progress of the renovation team and cause unnecessary delays.
It might feel like you have no other option than to keep your furniture at home, but that isn’t the case. Rather than covering everything hastily with sheets, you can deposit your valuables in a storage unit nearby. Storage facilities are an incredibly safe, cost-effective way to store your belongings as long as you like. Getting storage units makes it easy to make renovations much more manageable. You can clear up a lot of space to help the renovation team move around and work conveniently.
Setting a low budget
Renovations can be incredibly rewarding as you transform your existing space entirely to your tastes. However, they can also be costly, and you should prepare for that. A common mistake that can ruin your renovation plans is keeping your expected budget too low. When the team gets to work, new issues can crop up, adding to your expenses. For example, you can encounter sudden plumbing-related or electrical and structural problems that increase costs. Furthermore, you might not find a company that fits your budget.
However, that shouldn’t make you delay your plans indefinitely. Apart from the aesthetic value, renovations add immense value to your home. They can add a great deal of functionality to your home, making your stay much more comfortable. Furthermore, a renovation helps update an outdated layout, which can add immense value to your home. So, see it as an investment that’ll surely pay off in the end, whether you choose to move out or stay. Rather than setting a low budget, be sure to have at least 20% more than your estimate.
Prioritizing aesthetics over functionality
When diving into a remodeling project, it’s easy to get sidelined and start focusing too much on the aesthetic value of the changes you bring. Of course, aesthetics is essential in any home. They create a sense of belonging and let you feel comfortable in your home. Unfortunately, aesthetics can often come in the way of actual functionality.
You might focus too much on finishes and overlook important structural, electrical, or plumbing-related issues which can ruin your home renovation later. Additionally, you might have misplaced priorities when picking which issues to address. It’s best to invest in long-term solutions like flooring, cabinetry, and new appliances. However, it may not be a good idea to spend heavily on wall finishes or any other purely aesthetic enhancements. Similarly, it’s essential to prioritize your workflow so you don’t create any blockages. Finally, you want to ensure that everything is easy to access to ensure maximum efficiency across the house.
Having too short a deadline
Just as people tend to underestimate the funds for the renovation project, they may also minimize the time it’ll take to finish. For example, your bathroom or kitchen renovation project may seem like a weekend thing. Still, even the smoothest projects can extend beyond the deadline. So, it’s important to schedule your home improvement project when you don’t have any crucial commitments coming up in at least the coming week.
You can also encounter delays if any unforeseen issues come up, which is all too common. The worst thing to do in such a situation is rushing the team and wrapping everything up too soon. You may miss out on essential touch-ups, which can damage your home later. If you’re handling the project yourself, it might take you longer than you expect, especially if it’s your first time.
Trying to handle everything yourself
Another all too common and easily avoidable renovation mistake that many homeowners make and regret. Of course, there are some renovation projects you can handle yourself, such as painting walls or installing minor lighting fixtures. However, changing the flooring, updating cabinetry or tiling, and installing new appliances are all tasks better left to the professionals.
DIY projects may seem cheaper on paper, but they can cost you a lot in the long run. You might end up incurring extra costs if you damage anything, as you’ll need to pay for repairs. Furthermore, handling DIY renovation projects can come with more than just financial costs. You might hurt yourself and cause issues for your family too. You can easily burst pipes, cause gas leaks, and put yourself at risk of electrocution if you aren’t safe.
Additionally, the project might take much longer than expected to complete. Instead of going through all this hassle, you can hire professionals and have a smoother experience from the get-go. Not only will it be safer, but you’ll have long-lasting, stunning results that maximize functionality and increase your home’s resale value.
Conclusion
Getting a home renovation can be incredibly exciting, but making any of these all too common mistakes can put a damper on your project. On the other hand, avoiding these mistakes is easy. It can give you excellent long-lasting results that make your home a much more comfortable place, where you can get a lot done. So, before starting any project, be sure to do your homework and prepare strategically.
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