Common Home Renovation Mistakes

Home renovations can be time-consuming and costly. Nevertheless, whether your home décor has grown tired, or your home is just in desperate need of an upgrade, home renovations can revitalize your living space. Still, when it comes time to renovate, there are many pitfalls along the way. Whether you are a do-it-yourself home renovator, or you are hiring a professional, you will want to avoid these common home renovation mistakes.

1.    Unrealistic Grand Plans

Not only have you got to consider your budget before you start renovating, but you also have to consider the time and effort you have to put into that renovation. Even if you are hiring a professional, you should consider how the renovation is going to impact your home life. For the do-it-yourself renovator with a full-time job and family commitments, home projects can quickly become overwhelming. Similarly, when you're working with professionals, you need to be sure that your home can be lived in during the renovations. Carefully plan your renovations and be realistic about how much time and money you can commit to the project.

2.    Going Cheap

There is certainly nothing wrong with trying to get the biggest bang for your buck. Finding a great deal on renovation supplies and materials is one thing but purchasing the cheapest products you can find is quite another. Prices vary for building materials for a reason. Typically speaking, higher quality materials with better durability are going to be more expensive. So, you always want to make sure you're buying the right tools and materials for the job or you're going to face problems with your renovation in the future.

3.    Improper Measurements

With any home renovation project, you're going to have to measure rooms, furniture, and materials at multiple points in the project timeline. One of the biggest mistakes novices make is making incorrect measurements which are essentially the basis for pricing, cutting, and managing materials and resources for your renovation. Take careful measurements, and always double check them to make sure they are accurate. Otherwise, you'll find that you've ordered too much or too little material that your furniture doesn't fit in the renovated room, and other problems.

4.    Hiring Contractors

As handy as you may be, you'll probably need to hire contractors at some point in your renovation especially if you are doing work that affects the heating, plumbing, or electrical systems in your home. Always vet contractors carefully. You obviously want to choose an affordable contractor, but you'll also want to find somebody who is trustworthy and experienced. Speak to friends, coworkers, and family members about contractors they can recommend, and always ask potential contractors for a quote and a list of references.

5.    Permits

Depending on where you live and the type of renovation you are doing, you may be required to have permits. Laws differ from country to country and even from one state or province to the next. Moreover, without proper permits, you may face problems when it comes to the sale of your home. Essentially, home buyers will want to be sure that all renovations are done according to building regulations.