4 Common Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

You might be dreaming of transforming your bathroom into a luxury spa or have visions of a new home office addition dancing in your head. But before undertaking a major home remodeling project, including unique home remodel projects, you need to know what common mistakes to avoid so your project can run as smoothly as possible.

1. Failing to Plan Ahead

A home remodel isn’t just a weekend project—it requires a significant time commitment. And while thoughts of your very own gourmet kitchen might have you drooling, if you don’t plan your remodel carefully, Sunday dinner isn’t the only thing that could get burned.

When planning a remodeling project, you have to balance the ideal and the practical. This requires your plan to be highly detailed and extremely realistic—separating the necessities from the luxuries. You’ll also need to establish priorities, with safety at the top of that list. 

At the same time, while you want to make updates and upgrades wherever feasible, if the costs are greater than the value the project will add to your home, then you should find a way to mitigate costs and the necessary investment. Or, if the project is more of a want than a need and is going to require a heavy investment without much ROI, table the project and move on.

2. Hiring the Wrong Professional

You might be eager to get the party started on your project, but that could also mean jumping too quickly into the work. And without due diligence, you may end up with the wrong contractor—one who can’t or doesn’t deliver what they promise or simply doesn’t gel with you and your home. After all, a remodel generally takes a significant amount of time, and the last thing you want is to work with someone you don’t get along with.

So, you’re going to need to do a lot of homework before hiring your contractor. It is essential to find someone you can trust and who will give your project the attention it needs through completion. Investigate your contractor’s background and references before hiring, and remember that focusing on the lowest dollar amount does not tell you whether or not the contractor is trustworthy.

How to Find the Right Remodeling Professional

Find a remodeling professional who shares your taste in design, has experience with comparable projects, and is a seasoned professional. Make the process as fun and enjoyable as possible by finding someone who clicks with your personality.

Start your search by asking for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors, and research online reviews when screening for prospective contractors. When you’ve identified a few contractor options, request their credentials and some customer references to follow up with. You should also have copies of industry-standard documentation like insurance, licensure, and bonding. 

In addition, you should get at least three itemized estimates before settling on a pro. Once you’ve picked the best contractor for your project, obtain a signed, detailed contract outlining what work is to be done, specific timelines and work schedules, and the cost for work, materials, and labor. Your chosen pro should also be willing to offer a written guarantee or warranty.

3. Not Preparing the Family (or Yourself)

Remodeling can throw a wrench in your day-to-day, but you can do some planning to make the transition as smooth as possible. For instance, if you’re renovating your bathroom, you can create a family bathroom strategy to keep the inconveniences at bay.  

Temporarily repurposing rooms where no work is in progress can also help minimize the disruption of the family’s usual routine while also keeping kids and pets safely away from the construction zone.

In addition to failing to plan for the disruptions that remodeling can cause, you can also set yourself up for a tough time if you don’t anticipate the inevitable hiccups that will occur along the way. Maintaining a contingency budget and clear work schedules will also help you better manage this phase and prepare for any challenges or surprises.

4. Skipping Necessary Upgrades

You may be remodeling on a budget or looking for ways to cut costs, but that doesn’t mean you need to economize everything. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is trying to reuse or repurpose old appliances and fixtures. 

Tubs, sinks, and appliances can be repainted using epoxy or powder coating processes, but toilets cannot be refinished. For example, if toilets are not a 1.5-gallon flush, they cannot be reused. 

Additionally, metals can be re-plated, but costs can sometimes equal a new replacement. This may work well for old door hardware or heat registers but not for faucets.

However, sometimes your budget won’t allow for new or refinished appliances. Be ready for the item to feel slightly out of place for the time being, and focus on enjoying the slightly eclectic look while you save for a replacement.