Remodeling your home can be an exciting project that adds value and improves your quality of life. However, remodeling projects also come with the risk of expensive mistakes. Avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for staying on budget, minimizing disruption, and ensuring a successful outcome. Here are some major remodeling mistakes to avoid:
Home remodeling projects allow homeowners to upgrade their living space, improve aesthetics, add features, and potentially increase property value. However, remodeling also comes with the risk of costly errors and unintended consequences. Avoiding common remodeling mistakes is crucial for protecting your budget, minimizing disruption, and achieving your goals on schedule. In this guide, we will explore some of the most significant remodeling mistakes to avoid so you can complete your next project with confidence.
1. Research Phase Mistakes
Failing to Conduct Sufficient Research
One of the biggest remodeling mistakes is failing to thoroughly research your project beforehand. Without sufficient planning and forethought, your project is at risk of delays, cost overruns, and subpar results. Be sure to research the following areas:
Scope of Work – Clearly define the parameters of your project. Determine which rooms or areas of the home will be remodeled and what specific work will be involved (structural changes, finishes, systems upgrades). Being unclear on the scope can lead to expanding costs and uncontrolled changes.
Permits/Regulations – Be aware of permits, inspections, zoning laws, building codes, and regulations that apply to your project type. Remodeling without proper permitting can lead to fines, tear-down orders, and safety issues.
Contractor Vetting – Take time to research potential contractors. Check certifications, licensing, reviews, references, and examples of past work. Hiring an unqualified or disreputable contractor is a recipe for disaster.
Design Options – Research design aesthetics, floor plans, materials, fixtures, and other options to hone your vision and make informed choices. Having unclear design goals can lead to decision paralysis and blown budgets.
Costs – Get accurate estimates of total project costs, including materials, labor, fees, contingencies, and indirect costs. Underestimating costs is one of the fastest ways for a project to end up over budget.
Conducting thorough research before moving forward will pay dividends throughout your remodeling project.
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Another big mistake is failing to consider how the remodel will meet your needs not just today but years into the future. Children grow up and move away. Your mobility needs may change as you age. You may need flexible space to accommodate a home office. Look beyond the present to ensure your remodel will have lasting value and functionality.
2. Contractor Mistakes
Not Providing Detailed Specifications
When requesting bids from contractors, you must provide detailed specifications that clearly communicate the scope and expectations for the project. Failing to provide adequate specifications leads to guesstimates or assumptions from the contractor. This often results in inaccurately low bids, disagreements over scope creep, and subpar work. Invest time upfront into creating detailed specifications in order to receive accurate pricing.
Specifications should include:
- Dimensions of all spaces being remodeled
- Materials to be used (type, brand, grade, finishes)
- Fixtures and appliances to be installed (make and model)
- Any demolition work required
- Structural changes and exact locations
- Any preparation or finishing work needed
- Specific standards for acceptable workmanship
Not Checking References or Reviews
With major remodeling investments on the line, it is crucial to vet potential contractors thoroughly, including checking reviews and references. Online reviews and testimonials from past clients reveal a lot about a contractor’s quality, reliability, communication style, and ability to stay within budget. Speaking directly to references allows you to ask targeted questions and gain insider insight. Avoid taking a contractor at face value alone. Do your due diligence upfront to avoid problem contractors.
Not Getting Enough Bids
Failing to get multiple competitive bids for your remodeling project can easily lead to overpaying. Every contractor will charge different rates and may include or exclude certain line items in their pricing. Without multiple bids, you lack leverage to negotiate pricing and ensure you get the best value. Be wary of contractors who show resistance to bidding against competitors. Make contractors work to earn your business.
Choosing Based on Price Alone
While it is important to get competitive bids, choosing the contractor who offers the absolute lowest price can backfire. Very low bids may indicate a contractor is inexperienced, desperate for work, or cutting corners that will come back to haunt you. Be wary if a bid comes in substantially lower than others without obvious reason. Choose a contractor with a proven track record of quality work at a fair price over a gamble on an unrealistically cheap bid.
Not Using a Detailed Contract
A clearly-written contract between you and your contractor is a must. Verbal agreements and industry norms cannot be relied upon. Your contract should specify exact costs, payment schedules, work scope and specifications, timelines, insurance requirements, and plenty more. A thorough contract helps establish trust, accountability, and transparency from the outset. Never begin a remodeling project without this critical document in place.
Not Requiring Liens Waivers
Another contractor-related mistake is failing to collect lien waivers from all subcontractors. A lien waiver is a document signed by subcontractors stating they have been fully paid for their work on your project and will not place a mechanic’s lien on your home. Without lien waivers, you could end up paying twice for work or incur legal bills fighting bogus liens. Require your general contractor to provide all lien waivers before making final payment.
3. Financial Mistakes
Having an Unrealistic Budget
One of the fastest ways to derail a remodeling project is having an unrealistic budget from the outset. Homeowners often underestimate the true costs and overestimate their DIY abilities. This leads to expanding scopes, unexpected overages, and incomplete projects. Be rigorous when estimating costs, get professional estimates, and allocate at least 10-20% for contingencies. It is far better to be realistic now than to end up over-budget later with an unfinished mess.
Not Planning for Contingencies
Even with diligent planning and budgeting, remodeling projects often involve surprises adding cost. Issues may include:
- Undetected mold or rot behind walls
- Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems needing unplanned upgrades
- Foundation or structural problems once walls are opened up
- Delays from permitting, inspections, or back-ordered materials
Failing to allocate contingency funds to handle unknowns is asking for budget-busting change orders down the road. Pad at least 10-20% onto your base budget.
Choosing the Cheapest Materials
In an attempt to control costs, some homeowners opt for the cheapest building materials available. However, lower-grade materials typically don’t last or perform as well. This leads to reduced durability, functionality, and aesthetics—squandering much of the value of remodeling. Be selective about where to save without compromising quality and longevity.
Touching Savings or Emergency Funds
Using your emergency savings or dipping into retirement funds to pay for a remodel is extremely risky. Even with the best-laid plans, remodeling projects often go over budget. You do not want to derail your financial stability or savings goals to fund a home improvement project. Keep savings off limits and use only discretionary income or a home equity line of credit to fund the work.
Not Using Project Management Tools
Managing the myriad details of a remodeling project can quickly spiral out of control without the right tools. At minimum, stay organized using spreadsheet software for the budget and schedule, note-taking apps to track decisions and milestones, and a shared file storage system for receipts, contracts, plans and all documentation. More robust construction management software provides an all-in-one system for managing workflows, changes, costs, communication and more. Choose project management tools suitable for the size of your project.
Underestimating Indirect Costs
When budgeting for a remodel, the obvious costs like materials and labor typically get accounted for. It is easy to overlook indirect costs that can still have a major impact, such as:
- Building or permit fees
- Architectural/design fees
- Temporary utilities, power, water, etc.
- Temporary living expenses during construction
- Realtor fees if selling immediately after
- Landscaping or repairs needed after construction
While easy to overlook, these indirect costs can potentially swell a remodeling budget. Be sure to anticipate and account for major indirect costs when budgeting.
4. Scope & Planning Mistakes
Not Getting Required Permits
In an effort to save money or time, some homeowners foolishly attempt major remodeling work without obtaining proper permits. However, unpermitted work is illegal and can jeopardize your safety, resale value, and insurance coverage. Inspectors can require unpermitted work to be torn out and redone to code. Don’t take chances trying to cut corners on permits and inspections. The consequences are rarely worth the risk.
Making Design Changes Mid-Project
Design changes midway through remodeling can throw projects into upheaval. Even small changes can have cascading effects by requiring revisions to floorplans, moving plumbing or electric, and modifications to cabinets, counters, etc. Before locking in final plans, thoroughly evaluate all design elements like floorplan, features, finishes and materials. Resist the temptation to make changes on the fly during remodeling. The most successful projects set and stick to a final design plan from start to finish.
Inadequate Planning for How Daily Life Will be Impacted
Major remodeling projects have an enormous impact on daily routines for homeowners. Failing to plan ahead for these disruptions can turn the process into a miserable experience:
- Where will you cook, eat, bathe, etc. during kitchen or bath remodeling?
- How will you handle noise, dust, fumes, utility shutdowns, and other safety hazards?
- Do you need temporary living arrangements during construction? For how long?
- How will you keep pets or children safe from hazards during the work?
- Will vehicle access to your home be disrupted?
Carefully evaluating these impacts and planning ahead will allow the project to proceed as smoothly as possible.
Not Considering Resale Value
While you should design your remodel for your needs and aesthetics, also consider how the work will appeal to future potential buyers. Some upgrades, like granite counters or luxury bathrooms, do add resale value. Others, like over-personalized spaces, can deter buyers. Striking the right balance means getting enjoyment during your ownership while also boosting resale appeal.
Starting Without Firm Timelines
Beginning a remodeling project without firm timelines in place is asking for delays, frustration, and ballooning costs, especially if you will be living elsewhere temporarily during construction. Your contract should specify timeframes for milestones like start date, substantial completion, final walkthrough, and move-in date. Schedule regular meetings to check on progress and immediately address any issues getting off track. Time overruns can lead to inflated costs for temporary housing and storage.
5. Execution & Build Quality Mistakes
Poor Communication
For remodeling projects involving both homeowners and contractors working in close coordination, poor communication can spell disaster. Communication issues include:
- Vague expectations and assumptions instead of clear directives
- Poor documentation of decisions, plans, changes, issues, etc.
- Failure to give timely approvals and feedback
- Lack of accessibility between meetings
- Language barriers or miscommunications
Solid documentation, designated contacts, regular status updates, and resolving issues quickly are key to effective communication.
Rushing the Job
Some eager homeowners pressure contractors to complete jobs hastily by imposing overly aggressive timelines. However, rushing construction often jeopardizes quality and leads to sloppy work, safety issues, and subpar results in the name of speed. Patience is a virtue during remodeling. Provide reasonable timeframes then let contractors work at the needed pace for proper planning, prep, precautions, inspections, and high-quality finishes.
Ignoring Problems
During a major remodel, problems will arise. Issues may include rotting walls, drainage problems, non-compliant electrical work, or any number of surprises. Turning a blind eye to issues quickly compounds headaches down the road. Address problems immediately with your contractor to reach solutions. Trying to ignore or cover up problems out of frustration will only make matters worse.
DIYing Beyond Your Skills
Homeowners eager to save money sometimes take on major do-it-yourself work beyond their actual expertise, such as electrical, HVAC, or plumbing projects. This often results in subpar work that doesn’t meet code or mistakes that require costly professional repairs. Be very honest about your DIY skills and only take on tasks you can capably complete. For most homeowners, DIY should focus on small demolition, cleanup, paint, trim work, and minor repairs.
Not Following a Master Plan
Successful remodeling requires meticulous planning and sequencing of tasks. Failing to work from a master plan can result in inefficient workflows, change orders, and substandard work when things are out of logical order. Use your contract scope, timeline, specifications and floorplans to create a master task list that sequences everything from demolition to finish work in the right order. Refer back to this master checklist regularly to keep the project on track.
Trying to Save Money in the Wrong Places
In an effort to control remodeling costs, homeowners may be tempted to cut corners or settle for lower quality in certain areas. However, compromising in the wrong places often diminishes the finished results. High-traffic areas and components prone to wear should not be compromised. Areas where quality matters include:
- Flooring material in main living areas
- Countertop surfaces
- Exterior siding and windows
- Plumbing fixtures and hardware
- Insulation and HVAC systems
- Electrical system capacity
Look to secondary spaces and invisible infrastructure for sensible savings.
Not Doing a Final Walkthrough
Before making the final payment to your contractor, be sure to do a comprehensive final walkthrough and create a punch list for any unfinished work or corrections needed. Lingering issues may include:
- Gaps, cracks, or imperfections in surfaces
- Paint splatters, smudges, or overspray
- Scratched or damaged finishes
- Improperly functioning windows, fixtures, or systems
- Debris, waste, or unused materials left on site
Taking the time to methodically inspect for issues and create written documentation ensures you only make final payment once the work meets expectations.
Conclusion
While home remodeling projects require significant investments of time, money and effort, most regrets and headaches can be avoided by planning thoroughly, setting realistic expectations, hiring qualified professionals, maintaining diligent oversight, and avoiding common mistakes. Pay particular attention to avoiding shortcuts in research, contractor vetting, budgeting, project management, and quality control. With adequate diligence and patience, you can minimize risks and complete your next remodeling project with satisfying results.
