Homeowners’ 5 Biggest Remodeling Regrets
Any home remodeling project can be a big job and bring on a lot of headaches when owners are not properly prepared. Home remodeling website, Houzz, asked a panel of renovating experts the most common remodeling blunders they see. Here are their top responses.
Not budgeting properly.
Failing to set an appropriate and reasonable budget from the beginning can put homeowners in a position-to-fail from the beginning. Underestimating the total costs of a renovation can be detrimental and leave homeowners with an unfinished project or having to incur a financial loss. Be sure to have a detailed, realistic budget set up so there are no surprises and you don’t run out of money. Remodeling experts recommend always including 10-20% as a buffer to help with unexpected costs when taking on a remodel.
Assuming DIY will save you money.
Remodeling experts say rookie remodelers can be especially prone to the “DIY trap”. Though it seems to be the more cost effective route, it is not always cheaper to do a project yourself. The end result may not look quite right and could take triple the amount of time to compete rather than if you would have hired a pro. “Limit your DIY tasks to things such as painting and simple landscaping jobs, and dedicate your time to project managing the renovation,” experts told Houzz.
Selecting the cheapest contractor.
Another common pitfall is to go with the cheapest quote from a contractor. Make sure that you do your due diligence in researching the remodeling companies you are thing of working with to avoid choosing a contractor simply because they have the lowest price. You don’t want to have to redo poor work. Don’t just focus on the affordability of a contractor’s quote but evaluate fully what it specifies. Remember, you want to pay a reasonable price within your budget for the remodeling job you’re planning, not what the contractor wants to do for you for the bargain price of $XXX. At the very least, be aware of any fine-print details that come along with the discount or bargain price that may not align with the project you have in mind.
Failing to describe what you want accurately.
Know exactly what you want before you start and use the right words to describe it. Create idea books; search online for ideas online or in magazines; and have a specific list of layouts and finishes you desire. Become familiar with the proper terminology of those looks and finishes so you communicate them correctly to the pros, the experts recommend.
Not researching the material options.
In the same regard, choosing materials often requires some homework beforehand. Builders or contractors may fall back on the same materials they always use, but that doesn’t always mean those are right for the project. “Spend time researching the various materials options available - including looks, price, pros and cons, sustainability, durability, and which ones are best suited to your location, and take this information to your builder,” Houzz notes. “Armed with this knowledge, you can decide together the most suitable materials and finishes for your project.”
Regret is something that can destroy a homeowner’s enjoyment of a remodeled kitchen, bath, basement, etc. By doing proper planning and due diligence in researching what you want, and whom you are going to work with, you can avoid your remodel turning into regret.
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