Home improvements and updating your home decor can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but approaching it the wrong way can be a dangerous and costly mistake. The good news is that there are steps you can take to avoid those dangers and get your project done right.
Here are six major mistakes to avoid during your next home renovation.
Not Hiring a Contractor
Some home repair jobs can be done by homeowners, even those with little to no experience. That may include projects like filling holes in a wall, painting a living room, or changing a sink faucet. Other repairs may require you to hire an expert to make sure the job is done right.
Choosing not to hire a contractor for your next home improvements that require more expertise is a costly mistake. Taking on projects like bathroom renovations, kitchen cabinet replacements, or even changes to electrical systems within a home need to be done right to ensure you don’t experience issues from shoddy workmanship.
Not Choosing The Right Contractor
It’s important to do your homework to ensure you hire a contractor that is trustworthy and professional. You want to know that they will get the job done right and on time and, that if issues arise, they will communicate with you and provide an updated timeline for the project.
When choosing a contractor here are some things to look for:
- References or recommendations from previous clients, especially from someone your know and trust
- Photos of previously completed home renovation or home repair projects
- Confirmation of required licenses and workers insurances
Not Planning For Unexpected Issues
Creating a budget for your home repairs is an important part of the renovation process. As part of that budget, you should add a contingency fund for any unexpected costs that may arise once the project gets underway. Things like mold, asbestos, and plumbing issues can require additional work and increase the overall costs.
As a rule of thumb, Alair Homes recommends a contingency fund of 10% to 20% of your budget for smaller projects and 3% to 8% for larger projects that have a budget of $100,000 or more.
Being Too Trendy And Using Materials That Aren’t Right For Your Space
The truth is trends fade, but the home improvements and home decor you choose based on those trends last forever. It is a costly mistake for homeowners if they attempt to follow every trend when completing their home renovation, especially if the trend doesn’t fit with their space. Expensive repairs or changes, like choosing a kitchen cabinet color or layout based on a trend, may mean you’re stuck with that look long after the trend has faded, and once you start regretting your choices.
Not Fixing Issues Behind The Scenes
When completing a home improvement project you may come across unexpected issues behind the walls like outdated electrical, leaky plumbing, or mold and mildew. Although these issues will impact your budget, it’s a dangerous mistake for homeowners to leave them as is and cover them back up without addressing the issues and making necessary repairs.
Electrical issues are a fire hazard, mold infestations can impact your family’s health and wellbeing, and plumbing leaks can cause major water damage. Leaving these issues unattended can cause major headaches and hazards down the road, so they must be dealt with at the time of the home renovation.
Clogged or dirty air ducts are also a hazard that can end up costing you a lot of money if you don’t regularly clean them. Lint and debris in your dryer and air ducts can cause a fire. Additionally, health hazards can be a costly problem if the ducts contain allergens.
Trying To Get It Done Fast, Instead Of Done Right
The last costly mistake homeowners can make during home renovations that we’ll mention here is trying to get a project done fast, instead of getting it done right. Living in a construction zone can be frustrating, and it can be tempting to try and push things along to get a project wrapped up and get life back to normal, but trying to speed up projects too much can be dangerous.
Rushing can lead to mistakes being made, and when dealing with electrical wiring, a building’s structural integrity, plumbing, and gas lines, those mistakes can be costly to your wallet and wellbeing. When planning your project, make sure to set realistic timeline expectations and allow yourself, or the trade persons that you hire, the time needed to get things done safely.
Sources:
ATR101521