Top 11 Home Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

There is so much to think about when planning a home remodeling project. It is an investment in your home, family, and lifestyle, so you want to ensure your budget dollars are well spent, expectations are set, and you get the desired results. Depending on the size of your project, you may need to involve a team of experts, get permits, or even vacate your home while the project is implemented.

The key to a successful project is to plan ahead and work with trusted experts who can help guide you through every step of the remodeling process. It helps to educate yourself on what to do and also what not to do when embarking on your home remodel. Our guide to home remodeling mistakes to avoid will help you get started!

1.       Not Planning Ahead

Any home remodeling or renovation project requires forward thinking and careful planning. Even if you simply plan to refresh a room by painting it, you still have to move furniture and artwork, prep the surface, measure it so you buy the correct amount of paint, cover floors, and much more. Failing to plan and take these steps will result in a mess that will take longer and increase your budget.

The larger your project, the more planning and preparation are required. If you are changing your layout, replacing fixtures, redoing flooring, or updating wiring and plumbing, then you are looking at a complex project that requires a lot of forethought. You have to carefully consider what you need and your available budget to meet these needs, develop a design plan, find the ideal products to create your new style and develop a timeline for implementing your project. Unless you are a skilled project manager or contractor with plenty of time on your hands, it is best to leave this to the experts (more on that to come!).

When planning a home remodel, it also helps to think about how long you plan to stay in your house and what your household will look like during that time. What is anticipated in the lifespan of the space you plan to remodel and what will your requirements be for that timeframe? Do you need a bathroom that will take you from teens about to leave for college to one suitable for aging in place? Do you anticipate older family members moving in with you and should you accommodate accessibility for them? Perhaps you are a young couple in your first home and are planning to have kids, in which case it helps to create remodeled spaces that can evolve with your changing family dynamics.

2.       Not Working with a Professional

It’s important to remember that any project more than a simple DIY job requires involving professionals. Unless you are a professional yourself you risk creating more problems by trying to do an in-depth remodel on your own. If your project involves electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural changes to your home, you will thank yourself for finding trusted professionals to do the job for you.

Working with an experienced designer and project manager takes the stress out of a remodeling project as they help you ensure every step of the project is completed, all timelines (and dependencies) are met, and any issues are dealt with. They can even help you stay on budget and save you money in the long run by anticipating all costs in advance and ensuring no nasty (and costly!) surprises arise. Professionals have seen it all and can help you achieve your design goals, bring ideas to the table that you haven’t even considered (but will love), and make sure the result is exactly what you expected.

3.       Not Getting Permits

It’s essential that you meet your county and local requirements and have all necessary permits in place. Starting your project without the necessary permits can result in serious issues for your project, fines, legal issues, and impacts on your ability to resell your home. Carefully research the requirements well before you plan to start your project, understand how this process fits into your timelines, and make sure the permits are completed before you start. Better yet, let your skilled design and project management team take care of this as part of their total home remodeling services.

4.       Cutting Corners on Quality

In so many other areas of life, you get what you pay for, and this is even more true when it comes to home remodeling. The materials and products you choose to create your key home living spaces must withstand constant traffic and use, so cutting corners just means they will be more difficult to maintain and will have to be replaced sooner.

Unless you have an unlimited budget, you won’t be able to select the most expensive option for every product for your kitchen design or bathroom remodel.  Thankfully this is not necessary to get a quality end result with durable materials. With so many materials and products available for kitchen and bath design and home remodeling, there are always alternatives.

Understand your budget limits, consider your priorities, and do a lot of research on the pros and cons of different products. Focus your budget dollars on your top priorities that will most impact your design and lifestyle and find durable but more cost-effective options for other materials. If you are designing your forever home, it pays to spend a bit more to get quality that will last. Your design professional can help you find the most effective ways to use your available budget to get the best value for your home.

5.       Ignoring the Rest of Your Home’s Style

Unless you are completely gutting and remodeling your entire home, remember that your newly remodeled spaces must fit into your overall home design aesthetic. This doesn’t mean you cannot incorporate elements of that contemporary kitchen design style you fell in love with into your otherwise traditional home. You could go for a transitional or eclectic design that brings together components of both styles.

Whatever you do, make sure your newly designed room does not jar with surrounding spaces. If you really want to experiment with a completely different style, consider choosing a smaller, enclosed space, like a powder room design or home office, to bring this new design aesthetic into your home. You never know, you may love it enough that you decide to redo the rest of your home!

6.       Getting Carried Away with the Latest Trends

Following kitchen and bath design trends is fun and can offer inspiration for reinventing your own home. When it comes to taking this from your Pinterest design inspiration board to implementing it in your home, make sure you choose trends that won’t age quickly and that you are happy to commit to long-term. Unless you really love the latest Pantone Color of the Year or that ultra-modern (or rustic or traditional) cabinet style that you saw online, it’s best to stick to a classic style that won’t go out of style quickly. You can always incorporate elements of your favorite design trends, particularly in surfaces or accessories that can be more easily changed.

7.       Ignoring Storage Needs in Favor of Style

You may be really excited about updating your kitchen design style, replacing your bathroom tile, or adding a stylish beverage bar to your living room. While you are browsing design styles, remember that planning for storage is just as important. Sufficient and well-organized storage is essential to any home living space. If you do not include adequate storage to meet your family’s needs, then your room will be cluttered and difficult to maintain. Without adequate storage to make your room as functional as it is stylish, you won’t be able to enjoy your newly designed space.

8.       Not Carefully Considering Budget and Costs

It’s key that you understand your full budget including materials, labor, construction costs, clean-up, and contingency. Spend time researching your top design priorities and find out how much they cost in your area. If you work with an experienced and reputable designer, they can provide fully transparent costs, help you compare materials, and walk you through the budget options. This way you understand the full cost of your project upfront and can plan accordingly when securing financing.

9.       Not Considering Your Room’s Layout and Flow

The foundation of any design is the layout, which determines your key spaces for work, relaxation, dining, and more. It also influences the flow of traffic throughout your space and is essential to creating a functional space where you can work and enjoy life. It’s critical that you find a layout that fits your home and works for your family.

Consider who uses the rooms you are remodeling, your lifestyle, and your goals for your remodel. Think about what works and doesn’t work in your existing kitchen, bathroom design, or any other space you are remodeling. Research popular layouts and don’t forget the key principles when planning your layout, such as the kitchen work triangle and creating work zones.

If your existing layout doesn’t suit your family life, consider if you can change it. A home remodel is the perfect time to correct deficiencies in your home’s functionality by creating a layout that works for you. Get this foundation right and the rest of your project will fall into place.

10.   Ignoring the Extras

Details are like the icing on the cake when it comes to home remodeling. The cake may taste okay on its own but add delicious icing and it becomes unforgettable! While you may be focused on new cabinetry and tile, don’t forget these other elements that influence your design and create a space where you will love to spend time. Here are a few key things to consider:

• Windows are essential to your room’s functionality. They provide natural light and enhance your enjoyment of your space by connecting you to the outdoors. High-quality windows help keep your home secure and more energy efficient.

• Design details and accessories complete your design and give it personality.

• Flooring must be durable and complement your style, plus be easy to maintain unless you are willing to commit to a more specialized maintenance routine.

• Lighting is essential to any home living space, especially lighting for kitchens and bathrooms.

11.   Overdoing It

A home remodel is an opportunity to reinvent your home living spaces, but it’s also important to make sure you don’t overdo it and price yourself out of your local real estate market. If you plan to sell your home at any point in the future, then you should be mindful of your neighborhood as well as the size and style of area homes when planning your remodel. Find a balance between doing enough to enhance your home and lifestyle while also keeping your home in line with the surrounding neighborhood.

Whether you are embarking on a kitchen remodel, bathroom design, a new laundry room, home office update, or a complete home remodel, this is an opportunity to create the home you always wanted. By planning carefully and partnering with trusted experts you can ensure your project is a success and that no unexpected issues keep you from achieving your design goals! Get started on your project today with our experienced home remodeling team.