Deciding to undergo a home renovation is a huge choice that consumes a lot of time and energy.
Many homeowners spend months, maybe even years, choosing to renovate a space in their home, so the last thing they want is for the result to not live up to their expectations – but sometimes that is what happens. We’ve put together a list of some common regrets homeowners have after a renovation so you can avoid them.
Being Too Trendy
Design trends come and go, and using them as a source of inspiration is fine. However, basing your entire remodel on today’s latest trends instead of focusing on your personal preferences will leave you dissatisfied down the road. So, put your design magazines away and choose colors and textures you like without worrying about whether or not they are in style.
You want your renovation to reflect what works for you and your family and that goes beyond the appearance of a space. For example, if you love cooking for a large crowd, having a kitchen with plenty of storage space for all of your pots, pans, dishes, and food should be prioritized – so a trendy minimalist kitchen would probably not work well for you.
Going Over Budget
Renovations are a considerable investment, so going over budget may cause unnecessary stress. Unfortunately, going over budget in a renovation is also really easy. Even those with impeccable planning skills will likely leave something out when trying to create a budget for a home renovation.
With the help of your contractor, you should get an itemized list of materials and costs. You can go through the list to decide where to splurge and where to save so you’ll stay on budget. It’s also a good idea to have a little bit of extra money in case an unexpected cost or repair comes up during the renovation.
Being Cheap
While you don’t want to go over budget, choosing cheap materials and appliances is something homeowners regret, too. Let’s face it: cheap appliances and materials don’t always last, and you’ll likely be inconvenienced with having repairs or replacements sooner than if you would have gone for a more expensive, higher-quality item.
Hiring The Wrong Contractor
A home renovation can be a lengthy process, so being stuck with a contractor you don’t get along with or who keeps dropping the ball will make the process extremely unpleasant. Interviewing multiple contractors and reading reviews of their work is an excellent way to make sure the contractor is trustworthy and capable of doing the job you are looking for is a must. While interviewing, remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is – this is especially true for a contractor who claims they are the cheapest and fastest. If you’re ready to start interviewing contractors for your home renovation project, we would love to be considered. We will schedule a thorough consultation to discuss your current space and what you hope the end result will be. Creating a solid relationship with open communication from the start is incredibly important to us.
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