Many people dream of the day they can own their own home, and when that dream finally comes true, it can be one of the most exciting moments of your life. However, once the dust has settled and the thrill of having those keys in your hand wears off, it’s time to get to work and start taking care of business.
When moving into a new property, most people like to begin some form of renovation or redecoration project. In 2018 alone, there was close to $400 billion in home improvement sales in the US alone, and whether you’re planning something great or small, preparation is exceptionally important. There are plenty of potential pitfalls you should avoid, and here are 10 common home renovation mistakes to steer clear of.
Rushing Into It
One of the most common mistakes many new homeowners make is rushing right into renovations straight away, without taking any time to get a feel for their new home. Too much haste can lead to serious issues later on and may even cause you to overlook the safety side of your renovation project. It’s vital to keep your kids and pets safe during a home renovation, as well as yourself, so take some time beforehand, get to know the house, and plan things gradually before you continue.
Not Knowing Exactly What You Want
This ties into the first point about rushing in; if you dive into a home renovation project without much of a clear idea of what you actually want your home to look like, you may find yourself in a real mess a few weeks later, as you start changing your mind and having different ideas that cut into your budget and delay your plans. Again, take your time, do your research, look online, and in magazines for inspiration, or speak to a professional in order to figure out what you want.
Not Adapting To Space
While some people move into a new home without much of an idea of how they want it to look, others appear to have the whole thing mapped out, wanting to copy and paste images from the internet directly into their new property. The only problem is that many of those photos you see online are best regarded as inspiration, rather than things to copy completely. Your space is unique, with different corners, shapes, surfaces, and room sizes, so you have to adapt each design to suit the space.
Not Hiring A Designer
You’ve probably got your own vision for how you’d like your place to look, and perhaps you consider yourself something of an amateur artist or interior designer. That’s great, but the simple fact of the matter is that there are people who are professionally trained in this field, with years of experience behind them, who can really help to bring your vision to life. Designers can be surprisingly cost-effective, with many charging by the hour, and they can make your home magical.
Hiring The Wrong Designer
This tip is about designers, but it applies to pretty much any professional you choose to work with during the renovation. If they’re the wrong fit, issues may arise. A bad designer, for example, may be more interested in pursuing their own ideas, rather than taking the time to learn what you want. Don’t feel like you need to work with the first designer you meet; take some time, get to know a few options, and find people you really want to work with.
Underbudgeting
In an ideal world, you’d plan out the price of your renovation and then be pleasantly surprised to reach the end and realize that you actually saved more than you thought. Unfortunately, in the real world, hidden costs tend to pile up when you’re not looking, and many people end up going over budget and getting stuck halfway through their renovations. So, when laying out your budget and estimating costs, always err on the higher side.
Overspending
This one ties into the previous point about underbudgeting. These days, there are countless ways you can save money on pretty much anything, including labor and materials for your home renovation project. Don’t dive right in and buy the first things you see; take some time, compare your options, consider the alternatives, look for savings where you can and you might be surprised how much cheaper your project can turn out.
Taking On Too Much
It’s great if you’re a bit of a DIY enthusiast and feel like you can take on some of the renovation work yourself. This can help to reduce your total budget, but you have to be careful to avoid taking on more than you can actually handle. Painting a kitchen or wallpapering a living room might be within your means, but replacing a staircase or rewiring a home might be a lot trickier, and you could end up spending more money in the long run if you make a mistake and need a pro to fix it.
Thinking It Will All Be Easy
The truth of the matter is that home renovations can be utterly unpredictable. It would be great if each one went totally smoothly, without any unforeseen issues arising, but more often than not, problems and stresses will appear, and you’ll need to handle them the right way. There’s nothing wrong with being excited and optimistic about your project, but be sure to take it seriously and get ready to adapt too.
Buying Things That Are Just Too Big
It’s normal to want those big ‘statement’ pieces in your home, like a rustic dining table in the kitchen or a stunning sofa in the living room, or perhaps even a California King up in the bedroom, but be sure to take some time and check your measurements to see that these items actually fit, not just in the rooms, but through the front door.
Conclusion
Renovating a property can be a thrilling experience, and when it’s all finally over, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and relax in your dream home, but before you get to that point, you have to put in the work. Follow these tips and avoid these common mistakes to have a smooth, satisfying renovation experience.
Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash
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