Renovating your home is a big job, so it’s essential you get it right the first time. While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of designing your space and anxiously awaiting the final product, you should always keep the big picture in mind to make sure you avoid making mistakes along the way. Here are 5 home renovation mistakes to avoid while you’re working on creating your dream home.
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Having unrealistic expectations for your renovation
At times, home renovations can be inconvenient, messy, loud, and frustrating! Remember to take your home renovation one step at a time and keep your expectations reasonable. Before you commit to any home renovation ideas, make sure to research the home renovation process, budgets, and timelines for projects like yours to avoid disappointment. It’s nice to imagine a world where we could remodel a bathroom in a weekend, but quality home renovation takes a significant amount of time, an impeccable plan, and a willingness to be flexible. Keeping realistic expectations in mind will help you feel comfortable through your home renovation process and make you feel happier with your final product.
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Doing everything DIY
Painting walls, staining wood, and even reupholstering thrifted furniture are great projects for a DIY enthusiast. DIY projects can save you time and money, but it’s essential to know your limits and when to contact a professional. Construction and renovation businesses exist for a reason! If you’re looking to do any kind of structural remodel in your home, you will need someone familiar with electrical, plumbing, and maybe even roofing to help ensure you won’t have to deal with larger, more costly issues down the road.
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Ignoring your renovation budget
Pick a number – and stick to it! While it might seem like a good idea to spend a little more on the perfect drawer pulls or a fancier dining chair, make sure you are sticking to your budget. When you do pick your number, add an extra 10 to 20 percent more to leave a cushion. If you’re left with more money in your budget as your project comes to a close, you can decide later if you want to upgrade some elements in your decor or slip it back into your pocket for a rainy day.
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Rushing the job
You’ve heard it once and you’ll hear it again: Measure twice, cut once. Make sure that you don’t rush your home renovation jobs and take all the proper precautions to ensure you’re following a plan every step of the way – even if it takes a bit more time. For example, add a few weeks to the end of your project to allow for any mishaps that you may face along the way, like delayed shipping or stocking issues. You’ll be thankful when your renovation project is finished a week early rather than a week late.
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Poor planning
The most important factor of renovating your home is creating – and sticking to – a thorough, written plan before you start the work. Your plan should include:
- A timeline.
- A list of products to be ordered (including model numbers and finishes).
- A clear, outlined budget.
Once you have that plan, stick to it! Avoid unnecessary additions, but still remember that things are bound to come up, and changes will need to be made as your project progresses. Instead of stressing about deviating from your plan, add them to your plan and adjust along the way.
Noma Design & Build in San Diego
Home renovation is a big project, but we’re with you every step of the way! You should be informed about what it means to update your space, so we hope you’ve learned how to spot these 5 home renovation mistakes to avoid. If you need some help or are unsure where to start, we’re here to help! Feel free to call us at (858) 373-9902 or sign up for a free consultation on our website. Our consultation is a great starting point where you can meet one of our friendly design consultants, go over your ideas, and come up with an exciting plan!
