Have you considered remodeling your home lately? If you’re like most Americans, the answer is very likely to be yes. There’s no getting around the fact that home remodeling in on the rise, and has been for a number of years. The arrival of the Internet has made it even more popular to think about remodeling projects, plan them, and eventually follow through. People have more ideas than ever, and more tools to realize those ideas. There are entire TV channels dedicated to home remodeling, and the only thing people love more than remodeling their homes is watching other homes being discussed and remodeled.
However — as exciting as it is to remodel your home, there’s no getting around the fact that it’s a high stakes game. Remodeling can obviously mean a great many things, and the cost will depend on the scope of the project, the materials and designs chosen, and the compay who is doing the renovation work. That said, an extensive home remodel typically costs upwards of $35,000. If that isn’t a serious investment, we don’t know what is!
The high stakes of home remodeling signify the importance of getting the job done right — which means steering clear of common mistakes. People often fall into the same pitfalls when it comes to home remodeling, and the result can be anything from minor inconvenience to major budget problems. Here are a few common remodeling mistakes to avoid.
1. Rushing into your project without proper planning
The importance of good planning in home remodeling can hardly be overstated. So often, people are excited to “get going” on their remodeling projects. As a result, they rush through the planning process without taking care of all the details. This usually results in the need to backtrack and make changes during the project — which, of course, costs time and money. The bottom line: Spending an excessive amount of time on your remodeling plans is far better than not spending enough.
2. Not budgeting for mistakes
One thing you can be sure of with any remodeling project is that mistakes will be made and materials will be broken. If you budget for the “exact” amount of materials it will take to realize your remodel, you’ll always go over budget. If you budget for at least 10% more than you actually need, you have a much better chance of hitting your targeted remodeling budget — or coming in under budget. You’d rather be pleasantly surprised by spending less than anticipated than rudely surprised by having to spend more!
4. Not hiring the best remodeling contractor
When you sign a contract for your remodeling work, you’re taking a huge step toward determining the outcome. If you’ve done your research, and meticulously chosen between the very best and most highly rated contractors in your area, you can have faith in the process as you go forward. If you choose your contractor in a hurry, without really asking the right questions or investigation that company’s reputation, you might end up wishing you’d signed with another contractor — so choose wisely!