Avoid THESE Rookie Mistakes: 5 Reno Regrets as Told by Homeowners

Learn from those who have gone before you.

Embarking on a home renovation is an exhilarating journey, yet it demands careful foresight, thorough research, and meticulous planning. However, despite our best efforts, hiccups can occur along the way.

To spare you from these potential pitfalls, we've gathered feedback from first-time homeowners who've shared their biggest renovation regrets. By learning from their experiences, you can steer clear of common mistakes and ensure a smoother renovation process for your own home.

1. Choosing materials that look nice, but are a pain to maintain

Prioritising aesthetics over functionality can result in spaces that are beautiful but impractical or inconvenient for daily use. This is something that homeowner Nicole Chen experienced when renovating her bachelorette pad. She expressed her frustration with her choice of a black laminate dining table, noting that while stylish, “it easily dents and leaves print marks that are impossible to get rid of”.

Tip: It pays to spend some time doing research on the various material options available (including look, price, pros and cons, and durability) before buying them. You don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning your home when you should be living and enjoying it!

2. Not having a detailed scope of work for your renovation

A common oversight during renovations is the lack of a detailed scope of work. Homeowner Naizatul Nazreen encountered this issue when tackling the renovation of her double-storey home without the help of an interior designer. She recalled that installing a ceiling fan in the dry kitchen obstructs the opening of the upper kitchen cabinet when it's running.”

Tip: When tackling a home renovation project, homeowners often overlook tiny but important details such as swing clearance. It pays to hire an interior designer who is well-versed in the nuances of house renovations. They can not only address small details effectively, but also suggest space-saving techniques tailored to your home.

3. Not installing enough power outlets

Another common oversight is failing to install ample power outlets. Homeowner Ern Loy experienced this firsthand during the renovation of his double-storey in Selangor. As he often hosts regular gatherings or skincare workshops in their home, in particular in the dining area, he regrets not requesting the interior designer to incorporate extra power outlets in that area for plugging computers and other devices.

Tip: When designing, think about how many devices and appliances you have that will need to be plugged in. Places such as the kitchen, living room, or bedroom would probably necessitate extra electrical points since you have plenty of devices or appliances that would require power outlets.

4. Leaving some rooms untouched, resulting in a mismatch of interior style

During renovation, opting to leave some rooms in their original state or only making minor updates can disrupt the overall flow and coherence of the home's design. Homeowner Jason experienced this firsthand when renovating his two-bedroom condominium in Bangsar.

Tip: Discuss with your interior designer about integrating existing elements of your home into the renovation process. This may involve aspects like colour schemes, material choices such as wood flooring, or a specific aesthetic like Japandi or Scandinavian styles. Doing so can help create a seamless flow between the renovated and non-renovated areas.

5. Lack of ventilation in the bathroom

A common problem in bathrooms is inadequate ventilation, which leads to dampness and unpleasant odours. Homeowner Kenneth Tan encountered this issue while renovating his 50-year-old terrace house. To address it, he added more windows to enhance airflow in the bathroom. However, he overlooked the potential downside of attracting insects or bugs when leaving the bathroom window open, making it impractical to keep it open at all times.

Tip: If you're facing a ventilation issue, rather than adding windows, think about installing an extractor fan to improve airflow and ventilation of the space. This solution is particularly beneficial for high-rise properties where window additions may not be feasible.

Avoid making these rookie mistakes!

An experienced professional can help you provide valuable guidance, ensuring that your home is renovated efficiently and effectively, without costly errors or oversights that first-time homeowners might overlook.

When you submit your request for free quotes, we will connect you with up to 5 interior designers based on your budget and requirements. Additionally, you'll automatically become a part of the Qanvast Trust Programme, which includes the Qanvast Guarantee. This programme ensures the protection of your renovation deposit, covering amounts up to RM50,000.

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