Once you’ve made the decision to remodel all or part of your home, you might feel the need to start the project right away. That may not be the wisest move. When it comes to something as important as your living space, there are some things to keep in mind to help you from making a remodel faux pas.
Here are six mistakes to avoid when remodeling your home:
Not having a roadmap. Before starting any remodeling projects, you must have a clear vision of what it is you want to accomplish. You’ll want to be clear on what you want to happen and what you don’t. Have a definitive plan before you start ripping things apart.
Not keeping it real. You’ve probably sat in front of the TV with your popcorn and beverage watching those home reno shows. Well, real life isn’t a television show. Your project will likely take longer than a few weeks and there should be no surprises at the end. Don’t expect a grandiose reveal since you’ll want to keep tabs on how things are progressing at every stage.
Not being prepared for the unexpected. There is always the possibility that something will go wrong or things will be uncovered that you weren’t expecting. There may be issues you didn’t figure on in your budget. These can also add extra time to the project. So, it may be prudent to set aside some additional funds for the unforeseen. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Setting everything in stone. During a renovation project, you should be open to changes in the plan. There may be a need to alter some design plans due to a number of reasons like structural issues. Maybe that tile you chose for the bathroom is no longer available. It’s not the end of the world. New ideas might even make the end result more appealing.
Not staying close to the budget. Going overboard is enticing, but at what cost? You can start big but be prepared to cut some things out just in case you need extra for those unexpected things that might crop up. Do you really need two fireplaces?
Not being realistic about the stress. Undertaking a remodel project, even if you aren’t doing the work yourself, is stressful and can be disruptive to your family’s life. You might actually want to rent a place while the work is going on or at least make the time to do things with your family to ease the anxiety.
