8 Common Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Having your home remodelled to the layout of your dreams may sound exciting, but realistically, it is a long and tedious process that requires planning and care. Listed below are eight of the most common renovation mistakes to avoid for a successful home improvement process.

Choosing the cheapest materials

Rule of thumb: You get what you pay for.
For example, when choosing a new flooring material, vinyl flooring is cheaper than ceramic tiles. However, the difference in price is very small yet they can bring a huge difference to the finishing look and quality of your house. Being overly frugal can only save you so much money, but being wise in decision-making can help you build a better home.
If you want to renovate your home, do it the proper way. If you cannot afford to do it now, wait until you can.

Going for trends

Settling for trendy items can sometimes means forsaking on quality. Things that are in trend tend to be short-term, so be careful with the materials and parts that you pick as you would want something that is going to be able to stand the test of time. If your kitchen is compact, you may want to skip the idea of having a double oven or a wine chiller and salvage the limited space instead.

Using the wrong paint

Many of us are not aware that there is paint for every type of wall surface. Flat paint which has a matte finish gives out the least amount of shine and can expertly hide any imperfection on the walls such as cracks or bumps. However, it is difficult to clean – making it a more suitable selection for low-traffic areas such as bedrooms and the living room. Paint with gloss, on the other hand, is tougher and show less wear in the long run. It is more resistant to water and cleaning, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or the children’s bedrooms.

Overlooking the electrical system

The electrical system is very often overlooked either because it is hidden or is very costly to upgrade. However, having the circuit examined by an electrician during a renovation is a smart move to prevent any unnecessary electrical failure in the future.

Hiring the wrong contractor

Hiring a contractor is never as simple as choosing someone who can offer you the lowest price. There are many other crucial factors to be considered, such as the quality of the materials offered, reliability, and the safety of your house during the renovation as you would not want strangers wandering around off-limits areas especially when you have kids or valuables items around.

Cutting corners

Trying to save money by creating an unrealistic budget is the last thing you should do during a renovation. It is a crucial step to calculate your budget and increase it by 20 percent as insurance. This additional budget is a cushion for when you find wiring problems within the walls, water leakage, or any other unexpected issues that require fixing before you put the walls back up.

Poor preparation

A successful renovation requires a lot of preparation. Having a detailed plan will synchronize the remodelling process with your allocated budget and time as a measure to prevent any delay or an unnecessary hike in cost. Before starting work, discuss and come up with a very specific written agreement with your contractor so you understand the exact direction of the process.

Ignoring problems

You might be afraid to remodel a room simply because you think it is cost-prohibitive, but reconfiguring the layout of your house isn’t as difficult or costly as you have imagined. On the other hand, it is important to identify and correct any electrical or plumbing issues within the walls and floors before you break them down or put them back up. Fixing any existing problem instead of ignoring them takes time and plenty of examining, but this can save you a lot of money in the long run.

With a well-planned budget and a plan, home remodelling can be an exciting project. Let Qanvast connect you to skilful professionals who can do the planning on your behalf. Request for a complimentary quote request and get started. Download our free app today for more ideas, tips and cost guide - available on the App Store and Google Play.

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