Renovating your home is an exciting opportunity to create a space that better suits your lifestyle and reflects your personal style. If you are considering renovating your space, you should be aware of the potential pitfalls you could face along the way.
Renovation mistakes can be incredibly costly, time-consuming, and stressful. Whether it’s a blown budget, a design that doesn’t work in practice, or a project that falls short of legal requirements, even small missteps can lead to major setbacks.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most common home renovation mistakes and things you should consider before beginning your project.
Why Avoiding Renovation Mistakes is Crucial
Home renovations can be a significant financial commitment. Depending on the size and scope of your home renovation project, costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The last thing you want is to spend even more due to poor planning, unforeseen issues, or preventable mistakes.
Avoiding common renovation missteps not only saves you money, but it also helps ensure your home improvements are durable and practical for the long term. If you’re investing in your home, the changes should enhance your lifestyle, not disrupt it. With thoughtful planning and an understanding of common pitfalls, you can steer clear of costly setbacks and ensure your renovation pays off for years to come.
Poor Planning
A renovation is only as good as its plan. Before any physical work begins, it’s important to have a clear vision for the space you wish to create. This includes not only the design and layout but also how the renovated area will function in your daily life. Once you have a style and purpose for your space, work with renovation specialists to translate that vision into a workable plan.
From there, ensure that all the logistics are in place. Secure the permits you need, confirm the budget (and add some cushioning), and establish a realistic timeline. Choosing the right renovation company is just as important. Ensure to research them thoroughly, view their previous home renovation projects and read reviews to determine if they are trustworthy and do good work.
Poor planning can quickly spiral into delays, budget blowouts, or a finished product that falls short of expectations. The last thing you want is a space that doesn’t flow with the rest of your home, lacks essential functionality or requires additional work. Taking the time to plan properly will help to ensure a smoother, more cost-effective process and a finished space that is uniquely yours.
Underestimating the Costs
Never rely on guesswork or a quick Google search to estimate renovation costs. Every home renovation project is unique and can be influenced by factors like the age & condition of the property, the materials chosen, and the complexity of the design.
One of the most common renovation mistakes homeowners make is underbudgeting. This often happens because people forget to account for unexpected challenges and problems. Working with an experienced renovation company can help you understand where costs can typically escalate and give you a rough idea of how much you should budget for your renovation project.
If you are considering renovating, contact a member of our friendly, award-winning team. We will help you every step of the way.
Ignoring Regulations
When renovating, the last thing you need is a fine for not complying with regulations and requirements that you never knew existed. Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook this aspect of the renovation process, especially for DIY or small-scale projects. Failing to obtain the proper permits can lead to fines and complications if you ever choose to sell your home.
Building codes and regulations exist to ensure the safety and structural integrity of your home. Rules can vary significantly by location and can cover everything from fire safety to energy efficiency standards. Working with licensed professionals helps you stay compliant with regulations, as they will ensure you get the approvals you need.
Skipping Professional Advice: When DIY Can Go Wrong
When doing some small-scale home renovations, DIY work can help you save money, and it can be quite a rewarding experience. However, for larger projects, trying to do some work yourself to save a few dollars may end up costing you in the long run.
Without the proper tools, skills or knowledge, DIY attempts often lead to costly mistakes, unsafe installations and work that does not comply with building codes. These errors can sometimes lead to legal issues, especially if you attempt electrical or plumbing work without the appropriate licenses & permits.
In the long run, hiring a qualified professional often saves you more money, time and stress. If you do choose to do some DIY renovations, try to keep them relatively simple.
Examples of Common DIY Friendly Tasks
- Painting walls & ceilings
- Installing curtains
- Removing old flooring
- Dismantling cabinets
- Caulking around windows, sinks or bathtubs
Examples of Tasks Best Left To Professionals:
- Electrical work (including the lighting & electrical plan)
- Plumbing changes (re-routing pipes, installing fixtures)
- Structural Changes (removing walls or changing floor plan)
- Roofing & waterproofing
- Tiling large areas
Overlooking Practical Details in Design and Layout
When planning your renovation, it’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics, from choosing the perfect tiles to finding the trendiest paint colours/fixtures. However, try not to get too caught up and forget about the room’s functionality and what you are trying to achieve with your renovation.
Ignoring practical details can lead to daily inconveniences, inefficient use of space or potentially even safety issues.
Cleaning
One of the main issues renovators will have is that their chosen style/design is not easy to maintain or clean. After changes are made, your renovations will look fantastic, but ideally, you will want to maintain that look for as long as possible.
Take white grout in showers, for example. It offers a crisp, clean finish, but if your water supply has minerals like iron or calcium, that grout can discolour quickly, requiring regular scrubbing to keep it looking fresh.
Another example is square kitchen sinks. Those who own square sinks will understand how difficult it is to clean the corners unless you have the appropriate faucet. Grime and muck can get caught in the corners, making cleaning difficult.
Storage Management
One of the most important considerations when planning a renovation is how to utilise smart storage solutions. You could always use more storage. For example, when you consider renovating your kitchen, think beyond just adding more cupboards. Add built-in drawers for pots & pans, pull-out spice racks, integrated bins and custom cabinets to make the most out of those awkward corners.
After all, there is no point in renovating your kitchen just to have your new bench top covered with appliances, plateware and other bits and pieces.
Lighting Placement & Functionality
Lighting helps to create a mood within your home. When used effectively, your lights can enhance the look of your renovations to create a bright, beautiful space. However, when done incorrectly, poor lighting placement can create frustrating dark corners, harsh glares or uneven brightness across a room.
Consider how each space will be used during your renovation planning and ensure your lighting plan supports your design.
Choosing the Wrong Building Company
One of the most common complaints within the renovation community is with the hired workers. Online forums such as Reddit are filled with complaints of builders not completing work, running off with payments or just not doing a good job.
Choose a professional renovation company with a good track record, and view their previous projects to assess if they can create the look you want.
Our award-winning team at Navigate Interiors pride ourselves on our high standard of work, and we will work with you to avoid costly mistakes and create a home you can be proud of. If you are ready to transform your home, or if you have any questions, our friendly team is here to help. Give us a call or contact us today!
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