While renovating your home is an exciting time, it can also be very costly and timely, so a lot of thought needs to be put into it. There are a time and place for renovations, but you need to be smart about it. This is because it is very easy for a kitchen and bath remodeling job, or other renovation, to not go according to plan, due to a number of different factors.
These factors can end up costing you a ton of time, a lot of money and even more stress! They are normally quite simple to avoid, as long as you know what to look for. With that in mind, this article will take a closer look at a couple of different home renovation mistakes to avoid.
Underestimating the Costs
Despite how large or small your renovation job might be, the price tag attached to it might shock you. Renovations of all kind have a lot of costs including materials, labor, transport and more. While you can do your best to predict how much they will cost, you also want to be on the side of caution.
Underestimating the costs could leave you in a lot of financial stress and have you struggling to pay off the bills. Instead of being optimistic, plan for a renovation or remodeling job to cost about 20% more than you expected. This way, you will be prepared if it costs more but will be pleasantly surprised if it is more affordable.
Not Doing Your Homework
Unless it is a very small renovation and you are pretty handy, you will want to hire a contractor or a designer. There is a lot of work and money that will go into the renovation or remodel, so you might as well do it right. These contractors will ensure everything is built correctly and the designer will ensure everything looks good.
However, not every contractor or designer is created equally. As a result, you need to do your research on the various options in your city. You should look at the experience of each contractor, as well as any references and testimonials they can provide. The internet is a great resource to look for a local contractor, but talking to friends and family is a good plan as well.
Going At It Without a Plan
If you try and go through a home renovation of any kind without some sort of plan, outline or blueprint in place, you will be in for a difficult couple of weeks or months. A plan is not only good for ensuring you know what you want every step of the way but will also be a big help to your contractor. It will keep everyone on track and privy to what is important at the current time.
Also, you should have a timeline for the work, so you can ensure every milestone is being met, and the project isn’t taking longer than it should. Of course, you should expect some hiccups from time to time, but overall, a timeline and plan will make it a much smoother process.
Ignoring Functional Rooms
So which rooms should you renovate? Well, any room can be renovated, but you shouldn’t ignore the functional rooms. Sometimes people are apprehensive to renovate functional rooms like bathrooms or kitchens, but you shouldn’t be.
Not only can a great and modern kitchen and bathroom keep your home current, but it can also greatly increase the resale value of your home if you want to sell it. Once these important and functional rooms are taken care of, other rooms like living rooms or bedrooms can be renovated.
