Common Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Common Home Renovation Mistakes to avoid

The point of a home renovation is to add to the value of your home. Rarely does a home renovation go according to plan, so you should have a detailed plan in place, with an end goal, before you decide upon how extensively to renovate. If you make costly mistakes during your reno, chances are you won’t have extra money in the budget to cover them, and it will only bring down your home’s value. Listed here are some common home renovation mistakes to avoid.

Avoid these Common Home Renovation Mistakes

Using Cheap Materials

While you want to stick to a budget, remember the saying “you get what you pay for”. If you buy cheap materials for your home reno, they will not last longer than a year or two, and you’ll just have to renovate again. You’ll end up spending more, and wasting your time. 

Rethink Duct Tape

Yes, duct tape is practically a miracle item. However, it is a temporary solution, not a permanent one. Sure, you can fix a small gap with duct tape, UNTIL you get the materials to properly fix it. That means no more than a few hours. Otherwise, use the duct tape for marking and decorative purposes during your renovation project. 

Understand Your Tools

Knowing your tools is essential, or you could be using the wrong tools for the wrong purposes. And if you do that, one or all of the following could happen:

  • You wreck the tool
  • You wreck your project
  • You can hurt yourself

Your local tool supplier can guide you on which tools to use for what purpose.

Wrong Paint

Not all paint is the same. Different surface textures, and rooms for specific uses, require different types of paint. Flat paint is better for walls and ceilings. Semi gloss is good for bathrooms, and for dining areas. For an upscale look, you can choose glossy paint. 

Don’t Rush

Renovation shows on TV make you think that an entire home reno can be done in a week or two. However, TV is not real life, and it’s not likely that you have several teams of people working on your home reno all day. You need to allow time to plan, execute each step thoroughly, and add extra time as a cushion to address any unexpected items that come up. Three to six months is a reasonable time frame for a big project. 

Budget

It may be tempting to start a renovation, and make it up as you go along, and budgeting is extremely critical. Pick a number that you’re comfortable with, and remember, that the rule of thumb is that it’s going to cost more, and take longer than you think. Make sure you have extra money in your budget to cover unforeseen costs. 

 

Undertaking a renovation can be traumatic, to say the least. It’s important to have a thorough, written plan before starting any work. If you hire a contract who says they don’t work with a plan, consider a different contractor. Include as many precise details in your plan as you can, and most important, stick to it! A home renovation is an investment, and done right, it can be one of the most rewarding investments you will make.

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