While planning a home renovation can be exciting and fulfilling, making some common remodeling mistakes can leave you with results that are less than desirable. Instead of wasting valuable resources on something you’ll regret later, we recommend knowing exactly what you’re getting into and how to get the most out of your remodel.
Today, we’re going to walk you through some of the most common remodeling regrets homeowners have. With each one, we’ll provide a prevention tip so you can avoid these costly remodeling mistakes and achieve the end result you truly want!
Avoid These 5 Big Remodeling Mistakes
1. Failing to Create an Accurate Remodeling Budget
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that home renovations cost money. The bigger question is how much money? Then, there’s the question of whether you can actually afford the changes that you’re picturing in your mind’s eye.
One of the key remodeling mistakes homeowners make is underestimating how much their remodeling project will cost. Sometimes, it’s simply because remodeling is not something you do on a regular basis. Since it’s unfamiliar territory, you may have an unclear picture of what materials and labor can add up to. Other times, remodeling costs can drastically increase due to unforeseen circumstances that arise during the remodeling process.
Prevention Tip: Before your renovation begins, it’s essential to create an accurate remodeling budget. First, decide how much money you have available to spend. Then, gather your ideas and visions for the space. Work with a home design professional to determine how feasible those ideas are and how much they will cost. A good remodeling contractor will also recommend adding 10-20% on top of your expected costs to account for the unexpected ones. If this new total fits within your budget, you’re good to go! If it doesn’t, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
2. Having a Budget But Leaving Out Important Details
Now that you have a reasonable overall dollar amount in mind, you’re off to a good start. But, don’t stop there! Another remodeling mistake homeowners make is having a good general budget amount but not breaking it down into further details.
Prevention Tip: The more detailed your remodeling budget is, the easier it will be to track expenditures during the remodeling process. For example, when materials come in over or under budget, you and your contractor will easily be able to see what areas are affected. Then, you can work together to make the changes needed to accommodate the difference.
3. Choosing DIY vs. a Professional Remodeling Contractor
Turn on the TV these days and it’s easy to find a channel touting the glories of DIY home renovations. Demolition day looks fun and the before and after pictures of the remodeling project look amazing! What’s not often included in the picture, however, are the countless hours of labor required to get the job done, fix mistakes, and deal with all the unexpected issues that arise.
Yes, there are some home renovation projects that absolutely can be done on your own. Repainting a room or replacing some trim are two simple examples. But for more involved projects, such as a kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation, it’s usually best to hire a professional. That’s because mistakes made with plumbing, electrical, or other construction elements are common and can lead to added expense and completion time.
Prevention Tip: Know your limitations! If you’re not a skilled tradesman or master builder yourself, don’t be afraid to hire a professional contractor to do the job. Yes, it will cost more money up front. However, working with a professional means you’re free to continue with your life as usual – no using up your precious vacation days on a house project that drags out over weeks and months! An expert remodeling contractor can often get the job done in significantly less time vs. doing it yourself. And, some offer satisfaction guarantees or warranties for their work so you’ll be covered if any issues arise within a specified time after project completion.
4. Working with the Cheapest Local Remodeling Company
Now you know that it’s important to hire a professional but remember … not just any professional will do! There are many contractors who claim to know what they’re doing and are willing to charge a bargain price for the work they do.
Here’s where the old saying “you get what you pay for” certainly rings true. The cheapest remodeling quote often equates to the cheapest work in terms of value and quality. The last thing you want to do is spend our hard-earned money on hiring a contractor that does shoddy work or doesn’t stand behind their work.
Prevention Tip: Do your homework! Research local remodeling contractors in your area. Talk to friends, family members, and neighbors who’ve had work done on their homes and see who they recommend. Read online reviews and check out portfolios of work completed by different contractors. Then, once you get a quote, make sure you fully understand what’s included in the estimate and perhaps more importantly, what’s not.
5. Focusing Primarily on Appearance and Not on Function
There’s no doubt that different home renovations can make your house have greater curb appeal, make it easier to sell, or simply make it a more enjoyable space in which to live. While appearances do matter, don’t forget about function!
One of the most common remodeling mistakes homeowners make is focusing more on aesthetics than how the space will actually work in terms of traffic flow and everyday use. It’s easy to do, especially when you’ve saved dozens of picture-perfect renovations to your Pinterest board as ideas for your own project.
Prevention Tip: When you’re looking for a local remodeling company to work with, choose one that also has a design team. A design professional can help bring your remodeling ideas to fruition, combining your style preferences with tried and true design techniques to make the space beautiful AND functional. It IS possible to have both beauty and purpose!
Prevent Common Remodeling Mistakes by Working with the Orange County Remodeling Pros
Sea Pointe Design & Remodel has been providing top quality, professional remodeling services to homeowners throughout Orange County for almost 40 years. We’ve completed kitchen, bathroom, and whole home renovations in Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Laguna Niguel, and more. Chances are, we remodel in your Orange County location, too!
Check out our online portfolio of completed projects to take a closer look at the quality of our work. Or, register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn helpful remodeling tips from the pros or learn how to avoid costly remodeling mistakes.
Then, when you’re ready to start planning your own remodeling project, simply give us a call at (949) 861-3400 or fill out the form below to schedule your complimentary design consultation.