A home renovation can be an exciting and rewarding venture. However, without proper planning and guidance, renovations can become financial burdens fraught with unexpected expenses, delays, and unsatisfactory results. In general, hiring experienced kitchen designers is a logical first step to avoiding many of these mistakes, especially for inexperienced renovators.
If you are still on the fence, or have questions for hiring a professional, the following list examines the costly mistakes made during many home renovations to help homeowners stay on budget and turn their ideal visions for their spaces into a reality.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
Since home renovations can cost as much as $150 per square foot, homeowners have a responsibility to budget their costs and avoid the costly mistake of underestimating common expenses. Home renovations involve not just material costs but also other costs associated with labor, permits, and compliance. For example, home renovators may uncover damaged wiring or plumbing that is out of code, leading to unexpected project delays and costs that can change the viability of the entire project.
For any renovation, homeowners should set a realistic budget and work within those means. Everything should be planned in advance to make sure premium materials and custom appliances stay within the overall project budget. If one aspect of the job increases in price, the budget may need to adapt in other areas to stay on schedule.
2. Anticipate Unexpected Issues
Home renovations may not always go as planned. During the inspection process, contractors may discover issues that need to be corrected before proceeding with the renovations. These could include:
- Faulty Wiring
- Worn Plumbing
- Mold Growth
- Infestations
- Structural Damage
- Water Damage
These issues may pose a danger to the residents, present issues of compliance that could lead to project delays, or could compromise the integrity of the new project. To avoid these costly mistakes, homeowners should budget for the time and material and labor costs associated with unexpected problems. A good rule of thumb is to set aside a minimum of 10% of the budget for unforeseen circumstances and allow for potential delays in the project timeline.
3. Maintain Compliance
When home renovations change the footprint of the home, they often require permits, inspections, and insurance adjustments to be approved. In some neighborhoods, a kitchen design project may require HOA approval. Failure to follow the rules of compliance could result in fines, project delays, or insurance issues. If the renovations are substantial enough, failing to maintain compliance can even lower the value of the home and lead to legal trouble with local or state authorities.
Adding plumbing or wiring often requires a permit, which is why compliance can change the timeline of a project. If an inspector discovers faulty wiring, the homeowner may need to apply for a permit to replace it before proceeding with the renovations. This also applies to new additions to the home, foundation work, panel upgrades, and more.
Not all work requires a permit, however. For example, restoring wooden floors, painting walls, or making electrical repairs can often be done without an inspection. Understanding the compliance process in the local area or partnering with designers who understand the process is the best way to avoid costly compliance mistakes.
4. Renovate Safely
Home renovations can be performed safely by experienced contractors and designers. Yet, many homeowners pursue DIY renovations and risk costly damage to their homes, themselves, or others. In many cases, a lack of safety precautions creates more expensive repairs on top of the renovation process.
Basic safety tips for home renovations include turning off the power before working on electrical systems, inspecting ladders and safety equipment, following instructions from manufacturers on proper tool use, and wearing proper safety gear. However, the best tip for renovating safely is to hire experienced local designers and contractors who will follow proper procedures and keep you and your home safe from harm.
5. Choose the Best Professional for the Job
Inexperienced or unlicensed contractors can make expensive mistakes due to cutting corners, ignoring building codes, or lacking expertise in specific aspects of the renovation. To avoid these mistakes, homeowners should carefully vet their potential designers and contractors, check their references, insurance, and reviews, and ask them about their experience with similar projects.
By investing in the right team from the start of the renovation, homeowners can avoid costly corrections, delays, and building infractions on their home renovations. When every setback can cost a fortune, choosing the right kitchen design partner is a valuable investment.
Renovate Safely with the Help of a Professional Maryland Kitchen Design Team
At Southern Maryland Kitchen & Bath, our professional installers and tradesmen leverage years of experience in the construction field to guide clients through their home renovation projects. We handle any issues that may arise and offer homeowners different resolution options to help meet time and budget requirements.
Attempting a remodeling project without expert kitchen designers or other home renovators may be the most costly mistake of all. Contact our experienced team today to learn how we can plan and execute your home renovation with as few surprises as possible.
