5 Costly Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not Creating A Budget
We get it, no one likes this part of the process. However, avoiding this step not only cost you upfront but in the long run as well. Two things are going to happen if you neglect to create a budget.
A: You overspend early in the project and run out of money mid-renovation, leaving you to seek alternative financing or tap into money allocated for other future goals.
B: You decide to be frugal and go cheap on everything, costing you big money and problems long term
Need help with a budget or not sure where to start? A professional and reputable contractor and/ r designer can help point you in the right direction. When you find that magic number we always recommend adding a 20% buffer. This will help with unexpected expenses and unforeseen problems with your project.
Whether it's your dream kitchen or a full home renovation, there will be opportunities to cut and save, as well as areas we encourage clients to splurge. Having a plan in place from the start will help you manage your money efficiently while providing the most value for your home.
2. Hiring The Wrong Contractor
We're really picky about contractors, and you should be too. Before you hire a contractor we always recommend you get 2-3 references. Ask for projects in your area that are similar in scope and budget. You will be surprised, some homeowners may even let you see their project (especially if they are proud of it!). We also recommend you get 2-3 quotes from different contractors in the area to compare estimates. Do not go with the first contractor you speak with, and do not go with the lowest quote without serious vetting.
Our team has preferred contractors we work with, but we also encourage our clients to do their research.
3. Poor Design Decisions
You've spent hours and hours on Pinterest, created your mood boards, and the selections (tile, flooring, cabinets, paint, hardware, etc) are all picked out. Your project is moving along! Then the worst happens... you find that the Pinterest board you created didn’t come to life as you expected. Your new couch arrives..but it’s too big to fit through the front door, or your new area rug is way too small for your living area. Even worse, you come home to find out the paint color looks nothing like you expected..
Now what? Unfortunately, so many homeowners are left with a costly change order or worse having to live with a bad design choice (you can't put a price on that feeling).
We recommend spending time measuring everything. We also suggest bringing samples home and holding them against your surfaces. You'll want to try different textures, different colors, and different materials until you feel confident about your choice.
Phase 1 of our design process is all about creating a design plan that perfectly fits your space. Are we mistake-free? Absolutely not. There are times where something just doesn’t work in space. When this happens our team works to make it right for our clients.
You can learn more about our process here.
4. Unrealistic Timelines & No Plan
We're firm believers that nothing good happens in a rush. We know the excitement of wanting to finish your kitchen renovation or the anticipation of finally enjoying your dream master bathroom. However, planning and patience can go a long way. We always recommend our clients spend about 4-6 months of design planning before beginning the project. Why? This way you have all design concept boards finalized, you've created your project plan, vetted contractors, consulted over any necessary permit/zoning/restriction issues, and you're ready to begin.
We help our clients navigate the planning process to ensure our projects stay on time and on budget.
5. Forgetting About The Psychological Stressors
We can plan our budgets, create our timelines, and hire the right contractor, but we forget that for a little while, construction will be happening right in the middle of our house. Materials start arriving, you're moving furniture around, and forced to get your entire family ready in the small hall bathroom. These things can take a toll on you. However, it's important to remember those beautiful concept boards you created :)
Don't lose hope, you will soon have your space back! To help alleviate the stress on our clients we work on procurement timelines to get materials to your location at the appropriate time. We also utilize a warehouse for storing all your new furnishings & decor. Once we're ready for staging our team loads everything in, lights the candles, fluffs the pillows, and creates a home that is uniquely you.
Have a project coming up?
Designing your space should be exciting, not stressful. We can sort through all the moving pieces and bring your project to life! You can sit back, relax, and enjoy that glass of wine.