Most people, if not all, probably know of the idiom “Nobody’s perfect.” This simple quote can bring great comfort in life by reminding you that everybody makes mistakes and that it’s alright as long as you learn and grow from them.
However, the same cannot be lightly said when it comes to home renovation undertakings. A mistake can leave you dissatisfied and unhappy while costing you time, money, and energy to fix it.
In this article, discover seven common mistakes made during home renovation projects, and learn how to avoid them.
1. Common Mistake: Jumping Straight Into the Actual Renovation
How to Avoid It: Create a Detailed Project Plan and Timeline
Anticipation of a home renovation project may make you very eager to start. You may be looking forward to a long-overdue repair or wanting to change up your home interior. Whatever the type of home renovation project, jumping straight into the actual renovation without setting plans makes you prone to make mistakes that entail costly and time-consuming rectifications. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
To plan for your renovation project, start by writing your vision. List down your project goals and their projected timeline, preferably in sequence. Prioritize structural repairs, such as foundation repairs or roof replacements, to avoid having to redo any renovations down the line. It also helps to create a rough sketch of your desired outcome, which helps in identifying the materials and fixtures you need to buy.
2. Common Mistake: Going Over the Budget
How to Avoid It: Add At Least 10% of the Total Estimate for Contingencies
When you get caught up in the many expenses of the home renovation, you may overlook the extra costs that accumulate until you find yourself over the budget. Review your budget estimate to account for all possible costs to prevent this from happening. Once you sum up the total, add at least 10% of the budget as a cushion in case of unexpected expenses.
3. Common Mistake: Doing Highly Technical Projects Yourself
How to Avoid It: Hire a Qualified Professional
Once you have your list of projects and their corresponding budget, it is time to assign the right people for the job. You can DIY everything to save on labor costs or feel more rewarded when completing the improvements independently. However, it is best to leave more technical home renovation projects to professionals, so categorize your list of tasks into DIY projects and projects for which you’ll hire a contractor. To help you decide, consider the following questions:
Can you do the project based on your skills and experience?
Do you possess the necessary tools and equipment?
Is your time sufficient to complete the project within your desired time frame?
Unless you are also a certified professional, hiring contractors for foundation and roof repairs, large-scale electrical works, plumbing, and ducting is recommended.
4. Common Mistake: Automatically Going for the Cheapest option
How to Avoid It: Research and Compare At Least Three Alternatives Before Purchase
When shopping for items under a tight budget, going for the cheapest option may seem like the best way to go. However, doing so fails to take into account other equally important factors. Before purchasing any item, research and compare at least three alternatives. When evaluating your options, ask these questions:
Durability: How long will it last? Is it suitable for the local climate?
Aesthetics: Does it fit into your overall aesthetic vision?
Cost: How does its cost compare to the original estimate?
Maintenance: Is it easy to maintain later on?
The same goes for choosing contractors to conduct the more intricate renovations. Verify your potential contractor’s certification and work permits, and check their portfolio. Ensure that they have the necessary tools and equipment to do the job. Check to see if they have easy access to high-quality aftermarket parts to minimize delays in the renovation due to equipment breakdowns.
5. Common Mistake: Renovating Without Proper Permits
How to Avoid It: Consult Your Local Building Office for the List of Requirements First
Depending on the city building code, your local government office may require a work permit for specific renovation projects. To avoid stoppage orders or penalties on renovation work, consult your local building office to know which projects require permits.
Generally, the following renovation works require permits:
Renovation works that exceed a certain cost threshold
Installation or removal of electrical fixtures or fittings
Plumbing works
Installation of new house openings such as windows, doors, or skylights
6. Common Mistake: Making Incorrect Measurements
How to Avoid It: Apply the Proverb “Measure Twice, Cut Once”
Incorrect measurements can set your work progress back a great deal. It can lead you to buy incorrectly sized furniture and fixtures, which may not fit when installed and require repurchasing.
To avoid incorrect measurements, practice the proverb 'measure twice, cut once." While interpreted literally in carpentry, it is also applicable in all renovation works by advising you to double- or triple-check measurements to ensure their accuracy.
7. Common Mistake: Neglecting Safety
How to Avoid It: Tick Off a Safety Checklist Before Starting Work
Amidst the flurry of renovation work, overlooking safety can sometimes happen. To prevent that lapse from occurring, prepare a list of safety precautions to implement before starting work. At the beginning of each work day, evaluate your work area's compliance with your list. Safety precautions may include:
Marking the perimeter of your work area to prevent unknowing persons from entering
Keeping your work area clean to prevent tripping and slipping hazards
Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment depending on the task. For example, wear protective goggles and respirators when engaging in dust-generating tasks. Use chemical-resistant gloves or disposable coveralls to prevent skin and clothing contact for paint or chemical applications.
Using the right tool for the right job to prevent accidents due to mishandling or improper execution of a task
Home renovation can take up a big chunk of your effort and resources, but it can be a gratifying and fulfilling activity when done correctly.
Happy renovating!
