Home renovations can be a major undertaking. Not only can a home renovation be a big investment financially, it is also an investment in time and in your property. Here are some common home renovation mistakes you should avoid:
Buying cheap materials.
Have you ever heard the phrase “you get what you pay for?”. When it comes to renovation and construction materials, that phrase rings very true. If you cheap out, your renovation will not have the best results and it’s likely those materials will wear out quickly, needing to be repaired or replaced again. Not only will cheap products let you down, they are less attractive to potential home buyers down the road. If you’re going to spend money on a home renovation, do it when you can afford to purchase quality materials in order to do the job right.
Demolishing before a solid plan is in place.
Before you rip out your walls, appliances, and flooring, make sure you have a proper design plan for your home renovation. In some cases, you might not need to rip everything out and can work around some areas. If you start gutting your house without a plan, you might find yourself in over your head. This is where hiring a professional can really save you. They will work with you to create a solid design plan before any demolition or construction begins to ensure you get the best end results. Learn how to remodel a house.
Renovating according to specific, bold trends.
Unless you are planning on living in your home a long time, be careful not to be too trendy when renovating your house. The fact is, big and bold trends don’t last forever and sometimes they only last a year or two. If you plan on selling your house and your home’s design is out-of-date, you might have to re-do all of that hard work. Not only will you want to enjoy your renovation for years to come, you want it to be more presentable to home buyers no matter when you try to sell. That said, you should always love the space you’re living in. If that big, bold home style trend is what you want the most, go for it.
Not obtaining proper building permits.
Usually a building permit from your local municipality or utility is required if you are renovating something that might affect the health and safety of those living in the home. Examples of things that need a permit would be making any structural changes or changes to the electrical, plumbing or gas line system. If you fail to get a permit and something bad happens, it will not be covered by your home insurance policy. Also, you might not be able to get your home’s full worth at resale if you failed to get a permit for certain building projects. When you hire a seasoned general contractor, they will ensure that all permits are obtained and everything is built to code.
Hiring the wrong general contractor.
Everyone has heard a story from someone they know about getting ripped off by a bad contractor. They can leave work unfinished, over-charge or do a terrible job. Avoid hiring fly-by-night contractors by doing your research on each company, checking references and making sure they are on accredited sites like RenovationFind.com. A reputable general contractor will have a business license, insurance, and WCB coverage. Always make sure you are hiring a contractor that you trust and that will provide quality workmanship, use good products and offer excellent customer service.
