House Renovation Mistakes: What are They and How to Avoid Them

Renovation is a big deal. Whether it’s a simple bedroom redecoration or a complete house rebuilding, it takes a lot of time to prepare for it. There are plenty of variables to take into account and materials to buy. Still, a well-organized renovation can become a fun activity where all the family is involved in building a new home.

However, nothing is perfect, and nor is the house renovation. Just as any complex and multitasking process, it implies several possibilities for mistakes. You can make them by accident or it can result from a series of choices. Whatever the initial reason, it’s natural that no one is safe from them.

Well, they say forewarned is forearmed. When you know the obstacles beforehand, you have a higher chance of successfully avoiding them. Here is a short list of typical mistakes during a house renovation.

Mistake #1: Having “TV show” expectations

Yes, the renovation in the TV shows like Fixer Upper seems to be a fairytale. Specialists in branded clothes are moving around the property, they all smile, the work is done quickly and seamlessly. No doubt everyone wants something like that.

What they don’t put on air is all the preparation work done before shooting. The renovation is a complex process that requires a lot of time, money, and effort. You should have a clear understanding that creating your house’s new image will be a rollercoaster of emotions.

Mistake #2: Opting for the very first contractor

When you are in a rush or way too excited to start the renovation, you can easily make one of the greatest mistakes that may cost you a fortune in the long run: Choosing the first renovation agency you come across. We are not saying that they are going to be bad for sure, but not looking for more opportunities is risky.

Before making any deals, ascertain that the agency has a license, insurance, and experience in projects like yours. And don’t forget about your intuition: If you feel that you and the contractor clicked, it will play a big role in your project.

Mistake #3: Poor planning

Technically, this part is the responsibility of your contractor. They should provide you with the schedule, budget estimate, and list of necessary materials. For sure, if you have any questions, they should explain them to you in detail.

If you choose to work on your own, planning becomes your task to complete. Be sure that you correctly estimated the time and money needed for your new home. It would be nice to have a general plan with the most prominent milestones and a detailed one with a full description of all processes and subcontractors. Also, think about a place you are going to live in and a place for storing materials during work.

Mistake #4: Thinking you know better

It’s better to leave house renovation to professionals from Zen Renovations. Knowing something about construction like identifying screws or working with sandpaper doesn’t make you a full-time constructor. Sure, it doesn’t mean you should delegate each piece of work to third-party specialists. But be aware of your real knowledge and don’t try to impress anyone by saying or doing something you are not sure about.

Mistake #5: Paying attention to appearance only

Designing is the most entertaining part. Choosing the bedroom style, thinking about furniture in the kitchen, looking through color palettes for your bathroom—all these eye-pleasing activities bring joy and understanding that your dream will come true.

Don’t let aesthetics deceive you. Good looks mean nothing when they have no benefits to you. Make functionality the core concept of your future home. Think about space organizing and how you are going to use it in your daily life. Usually, mistakes in the layout are the most expensive and time-consuming to fix.

Final advice

There are plenty of reasons for people to start renovating their homes: The house is old (or brand new), the interior design is outdated, the wiring or water pipes are broken. Whatever the initial intention is, you should always stay focused on your resources, both tangible and intangible. Don’t overspend or underspend them and in the end, you will get the perfect house extensions in Melbourne.