Home renovations are exciting! They give you the opportunity to change and revamp your home, add or remove design elements, and basically incorporate character into your home. More than that, home renovations help you plan and style your home according to your specific needs and make it a space of your very own.
But this upgrade does not always go smoothly. Home renovations can end up being the opposite of what was envisioned and may in fact lead to the creation of spaces that devalue your home.
To help you avoid this, and make your home remodel into a dream project, we have come up with a list of common mistakes and blunders that all homeowners must avoid. Read on below.
1. Not planning ahead
No remodel or renovation, no matter how simple or extensive, can ever be completed successfully without a proper plan.
This may sound severe, but it is a fact.
Why? Because a renovation involves more than simply moving things around the room. You have to consider:
- The structure and floor plan of your home,
- How convenient and suitable the new design may be
- Any planning approvals that may be necessary
- Where you will stay or store things during the construction phase
- What materials will be required, and by when do they need to be on-site
- Which technicians and professionals need to be hired
- The budget for all of the above
- The detailed time line for the renovation
All this and more needs to be carefully considered, researched, and decided upon before initiating any of the actual build work.
Also, having some leeway in your time line and budget to accommodate for any unexpected delays or unforeseen expenses is always a good idea.
2. Improper measurements
It may sound surprising, but it happens more often than you would expect. A small error in taking measurements leads to expensive consequences usually in the form of major delays and added costs.
And since construction relies largely on detailed structural diagrams that help contractors and technicians make the necessary changes, even a slight error can have a significant impact on the structural or architectural integrity.
As these types of errors are frequently made in relation to the installation of doors, windows, furniture, and even fittings (leading to too-big-to-fit-in moments); it is always best to follow the wise adage of ‘measure twice, cut once’.
3. Knocking down the wrong walls
Again, this might seem comedic at times (especially when it happens on TV), but the fallout from breaking down the wrong wall is far from a laughing matter.
Simply put, walls are there for a reason. They may have behind them a part of your homes plumbing or wiring, or may even be there to provide crucial structural support. Either way, they matter.
Breaking down the wrong wall could then create significant expenses for you in the form of adding structural supports or rewiring the electrical system of your home.
That is not to say that knocking down a particular wall to open up a room or create a different floor plan is impossible. However, it is always best to consult the experts, so you can achieve the design and floor plan you want without compromising on the structural integrity of your home.
4. Not utilising the natural light
Big mistake!
The natural light that floods into a room is an interior designer’s favourite element. It helps create a wonderful, open, and airy feel with minimal effort, and also ties in the room together making it warm and welcoming.
Ignoring this vital resource is a costly error in judgement. Instead, aim to optimise the natural light that enters into your home with the installation of roof lights or even bi-folding doors where possible. A small window above the kitchen sink too adds a delightful feature that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Letting the sunlight in is not just about style either. It can help you save money too by reducing the amount of energy consumed to light your home.
The result? A brighter, more beautiful home that is also energy efficient. Win, win.
5. Using materials of low quality
We understand. You want to complete the home remodel under a specific budget. But the quality of the materials used in the renovation should definitely not be what you cut back on.
This is because the cheaper materials and fixtures that you save on now could prove to be very costly in the future.
How? Because cheaper could very well be equal to poorer quality. Therefore, the frequency and cost of maintenance and replacement will be much more in the long run.
So, don’t skimp on the materials. Buy the best that you can afford. They will last longer, and look infinitely better.
6. Not hiring the experts
The temptation of DIYing a home renovation is very strong. But you have to resist.
While a home renovation may seem like a simple project, it entails a myriad of complex factors, all of which must fall in line perfectly to create your ideal space. And a professional team can help you achieve exactly that.
From planning and designing the remodel in minute detail and applying for the requisite approvals, to selecting the best materials and supervising the entire project. The experts do it all.
And perhaps most importantly, the expert contractors and architects will help you avoid the mistakes and errors that may prove to be costly later on.
Conclusion
Home renovations seem like the perfect way to make a space into your own without drastically altering the structure of your home. Utilising the existing space, optimising the natural light that enters, changing the layout, and adding character to the room can really make all the difference.
But for a seemingly simple process, there are many ways that it could go all wrong. Insufficient planning, incorrect measurements, and ill-utilised resources can make a modest renovation into an expensive endeavour.
However, knowing the pitfalls of the process, and how to avoid them (along with help from the experts), can go a long way in helping you to realise your dream home remodel.
Looking for the experts in extensions, conversions, and renovations? Look no further than the exceptional team at Good Design and Build. We help you create beautiful, bespoke spaces that add comfort, space, style, and value to your home. Call us for a free quotation today!
