Home renovation - 10 mistakes to avoid

There are many things to be taken into consideration, too many things at risk - your money, your return on investment and your home’s aesthetics, to name a few. For this sake, errors should be trimmed to a bare minimum. So, for you to navigate your renovation project smoothly, we have put together 10 mistakes you should avoid.

1.    Renovating too early

Imagine you have just purchased a new home in Magodo. You are excited about your purchase, but you think the living room could use a little more space. The bedrooms, too. You pick up your phone, ready to dial the contractor - but wait a second. Would you consider living in your new house for just a month or two without renovating it yet?

It is not always possible, especially if the house is in an uninhabitable condition, but it is an added advantage to have a good idea of your home before renovating it, so you know what a good fit will be and what won’t. This will guarantee a functional and inhabitable design.

2.    Under-budgeting

Your renovation project is bound to run into a brick wall when you budget a smaller amount than what is needed. Often, renovations cost more than you expect, which is why it is important to go in with an allowance for this.

It is a good idea to do quality research, consult professionals and make room for contingencies. Fixing an additional 20% in your budget should have you covered.

3.    Overlooking a professional touch

Being humans, we often prefer to do things our own way. We are confident in our abilities and believe we know what’s best. This is great, but there are certain areas where we need an expert’s touch.

When it comes to renovation, professionals know best. An architect’s input is vital—so is a designer’s and a contractor. It is important to put together a team of these experts and discuss in detail the specifications of your project.

4.    Running on a half-baked plan

Renovation is serious business and as such, requires a solid plan. What a half-baked plan will do is delay progress, stress you out and produce an equally half-baked renovation.

To toss this possibility out the window, go through each stage of the decision-making process with your team of professionals. Ask questions, and limit how often you change your mind about a certain decision as this will only cause delays.

5.    Not anticipating setbacks

Not everything will sail smoothly in your renovation project. A failure to recognize this may leave you frazzled, impatient and on edge and no one enjoys feeling this way.

To avoid being thrown off balance, anticipate setbacks and be prepared to face whatever comes up in the middle of the project.

6.    Being in too much of a hurry

We understand your need to move into your new home, or to begin to enjoy the benefits of a remodeled kitchen, but a great renovation project requires proper planning and execution. Rushing the job simply won’t do.

For a big project, it is advisable to leave a three-to-six-month window open to ensure a thorough job is done.

7.    Putting appearance over structure and safety

Often times, we get carried away with improving the design and aesthetics of our homes that we neglect more crucial aspects like safety and structural issues.

What is the implication of this wiring system? Is this foundation strong enough for a 2-storey? These are the first of many structural and safety concerns that should be addressed when undertaking a renovation project.

8.    Economizing materials

The last place you want to economize is with your building materials. Doing so will only make sure that you have to change them every few years, which in the long run, is not cost-effective at all.

Instead, get durable, versatile, and high-quality materials. Take it from us, you won’t regret that you did.

9.    Neglecting neighborhood design

We understand your need for your home to be unique in design—your need for it to stand out from the rest. But if your home is jarringly different from other homes in the neighborhood, it may stick out like a sore thumb and weaken its resale value.

Now, we’re not saying you must make your home identical to others on the street. Rather, your design should complement the others instead of overshadowing or destabilizing them.

10. Choosing trends over practicality

While it is great to keep up with trending looks and designs for your home, it also important to consider the resale value. Will these trends still be relevant in a few years, or will they diminish your home’s resale value?

Besides some design choices are, dare I say, impractical. All-white furniture or floating stairs are impractical choices for high-traffic homes and homes with little children.

A trend will fade with time, but a good design is bound to be timeless.

We believe a renovation is an investment and should be treated with utmost care and importance. Our professionals at Daibau would be more than pleased to eliminate the chances of you making any of these mistakes. We are here to meet every single one of your renovation needs.

We look forward to you contacting us!