9 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Remodeling Their Home
Underestimating the Costs of the Remodel They Want
The number one mistake homeowners make when planning a remodel is underestimating the costs of the remodel they want. Homeowners rarely have a realistic budget in mind when they plan the remodel in their heads. We recommend homeowners research the features they want for their remodel and then consult a contractor. Giving your contractor your budget prior to requesting an estimate allows for the contractor to provide you with the features that you most want while working inside your budget.
Choosing the Contractor by the Lowest Bid
Choosing the contractor for your remodel by the lowest bid is another common mistake. The lowest bid doesn’t always indicate the quality of the contractor; however, if you get three bids, they should all be relatively close. Some contractors will be more expensive if they are highly skilled and in demand. Consequently, if a bid comes in much lower than the other bids, there is likely a negative reason. The contractor may not be very experienced or desperate for work. Quality contractors are never desperate for work.
Not Validating Your Contractor
The next mistake homeowners make is not validating the contractor they choose. Researching your contractor is a must, and it’s very easy to check reviews online and search their social media profiles for examples of the work they perform. An online presence for businesses is very important in 2021. If a business or contractor doesn’t have an online presence, this might mean that they have not been around very long. At the very minimum, they should have online reviews on Google, Yelp, or other major sources. Trusting your contractor is important because the remodeling process can be very stressful, and there should be trust between the contractor and the homeowner.
Cutting Corners Where it Matters Most to Save on Costs
Another common mistake homeowners make when remodeling their homes is cutting corners where it matters most to save on costs. A remodel can be very costly, and sometimes, in order to stay within budget, homeowners try to cut the wrong corners. For example, door hardware, especially exterior, is an area where you should not cut corners. High-quality door hardware and locks contribute to your safety and are used daily and will be subject to heavy wear and tear. Other items to consider are faucets, flooring, thermostats, and cabinet hardware.
Not Having a Plan Set Before Beginning the Remodel
Not having a plan set before beginning the remodel is a common mistake that will lead to a much more expensive remodel than if you had a plan fully set before starting. You don’t want to spend money doing things out of order or, even worse, doing them twice to get them right. We have been called to come to finish a DIY remodel that was not properly planned, and the costs are always more than the homeowner anticipated. Again, consulting with a contractor prior to beginning the remodel can help prevent unnecessary work.
Trying to Make Too Many Changes During the Remodel
Similar to the above topic, trying to make too many changes during the remodel could end up being very costly and create delays in the remodel progress. Not only could costs be incurred from having to have items redone, but delays can also cost more. Scheduling is a large part of a smooth remodel, and delays could mean that it costs more to try and get back on track.
Not Asking for a Timeline from Your Contractor
Not asking for a timeline from your contractor before beginning the remodel is another common and major mistake. As we spoke about earlier, remodels are stressful times; having a timeline in mind before starting the remodel will allow you to be mentally prepared. Being mentally prepared will be a huge win to keep you sane during your remodel. Your contractor should be able to give you a timeline that is reasonable and be able to stick to it with few exceptions. At the time of writing this article, supplies can be difficult to acquire, and some materials may need to be ordered weeks or even months in advance.
Assuming there Will Not be Unforeseen Issues Arise
Another major mistake homeowners make during their remodel is assuming that there will not be any unforeseen issues arising. The older the home, the more likely it will be that there will be issues. For example, if you have a pier and beam foundation, it is possible that you might find rotting floor joists or subfloors that will need to be replaced. This is extremely common in bathrooms of houses built in the 1940s and 50s.
Not Considering Updating the Insulation
Finally, not considering updating the insulation in your home is a huge mistake. A properly insulated home will greatly affect your energy bills. You can always add insulation to the attic. For older homes, it is vital to insulate exterior walls anytime you have the opportunity. Injection foam insulation is the perfect way to retrofit insulation into the wall without having to remove all the sheetrock. Foam insulation resists mold and mildew and will expand into tight areas in the wall. All that is required is to create small holes that must be patched and painted.
