Home remodeling projects can offer a great return on investment, not only adding to the value of your property but also helping you to love living in your home. Whether working on your kitchen, bath, master suite, or whole home, a remodel can truly transform the look and function of your space.
But too many homeowners dive into remodeling projects too quickly and, in the process, make costly mistakes. With proper planning, these frustrating mistakes are surprisingly easy to avoid. In today’s post, we’ll talk about the costly home remodeling mistakes we see homeowners make and how you can avoid them.
Not budgeting properly
Budgeting is the biggest mistake homeowners make when planning a remodeling project. It’s essential to balance must-haves and would-be-nices and to set a budget you can afford. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible for the average homeowner to truly understand the costs of remodeling.
A trustworthy home remodeler is the best resource for planning and accurately budgeting a project. Your remodeler can explain the cost of the different options available to you. Most importantly, they’ll be able to plan for contingencies and offer different options that will help you stay under budget.
Remember: Budgeting isn’t only financial. Budget your time as well. How will your family’s life be interrupted if you’re without a kitchen during the holidays? What if you and your partner can’t use your master bathroom during a hectic time of year at work?
How to determine if your home is in need of a remodel.
Spending on appliances but not on craftsmanship
This remodeled kitchen features high-quality appliances and craftsmanship
When imagining your remodeled home, it’s easy to start daydreaming about the luxury appliances and other niceties you’ve always wanted. But it’s a mistake to devote too much of your budget to things that just look nice. Your home is your biggest investment and the last place you want to cut corners.
Invest in craftsmanship. When done properly by an experienced team, the bones of your home remodeling work can last for decades. Then once the work is done, you’ll be able to upgrade everything else without worrying about shoddy work leading to unforeseen and often expensive repairs.
Being too “on-trend” in your remodel
This remodeled kitchen smartly avoids an overly trendy design. It’ll look great for decades!
There’s a difference between being trendy and being stylish. What’s the difference? Trends come and go but style is forever. When it comes to your home remodel, focus on style.
Sure, you can use magazines and online sources to find inspiration, but we don’t recommend copying all details of a trendy project. The results will look dated quickly and may even hurt the resale value of the house down the road.
Not working with an interior designer
This beautifully designed closet looks great and meets the homeowners’ needs.
Check our remodeling gallery to view our other beautiful projects.
What colors go together? What furniture will fit your space? Do you need custom built-in storage solutions? What wall treatments will look best? Does this room have enough light? Is it a high-traffic area in need of extra-durable flooring?
You probably don’t know the answers to those questions. That’s why it’s so important to work with an interior designer during the design phase of your remodeling project. When you work with Bay State Remodeling, our interior designers are here to answer these questions and many more.
When you do it alone and plan a remodel without the help of an interior designer, you’ll probably be disappointed with the results.
8 Questions to Ask a Luxury Home Remodeler.
Changing your mind after work has started
For many homeowners, it’s hard to picture what their home will look like after a remodel is completed. This can lead to stress and anxiety during construction. When you see work in progress, you might start to feel antsy or worried about how the result will look. Don’t worry—it’s completely natural and happens to everyone!
But don’t get cold feet and start insisting upon changes to your project when it’s halfway finished. This can lead to frustrating delays, cost overruns, and an end result you don’t love.
Instead, talk with your remodeler. If you’re working with a local home remodeler you trust, they’ll understand your worries and will be available to answer your questions and make you feel at ease again.
So before you start making decisions you might regret, just talk to your remodeler!
Not working with a local remodeler
Beautiful craftsmanship in this bathroom remodel
As local Boston-area remodelers ourselves, we’re only as good as our reputation. Over the years, homeowners have grown to trust us and that’s something we’re very proud of. We don’t take anything for granted and always go above and beyond for our clients. Unfortunately, you can’t say the same for some of the bigger remodelers who don’t call Boston home. When you work with a local remodeler, you’ll be:
- Able to meet the people you’re working with and get to know them. There won’t be any strangers at your house, only the trusted contractors and tradespeople you’ve gotten to know.
- Protected in the case of an accident. As local contractors, we carry current and effective workers comp coverage, and that the coverage extends to every worker they send to your property.
- Sure guarantees and warranties will be honored. We’re not going anywhere. As a trusted local remodeler since 2007, we’ll be around to honor our guarantees and stand behind our work. If you ever need anything, just pick up the phone and call. We’re not happy if you’re not happy!
Choosing the cheapest remodeler
We’ve said it before and it’s worth saying again: Your home is your biggest investment. Why would you trust it to just anyone? Before selecting your home remodeler, ask around and get a few different bids. If one is much cheaper than the others, ask yourself “why?” It’s often because low-cost remodelers overpromise, underdeliver, use cheap materials, and cut corners where it matters most.
Not asking for references
So how do you choose a remodeler you can trust? Read online reviews and get references. Talk to previous clients about their experience. Ask questions like:
- Was the remodeler available to answer your questions?
- Did the remodeler give you status updates throughout construction?
- Did anything go wrong during the project? How did the remodeler handle it? Were you happy with the solution?
- Did the results match what you were expecting?
- Have you ever recommended your remodeler to anyone else?
- Would you hire your remodeler again? Why or why not?
Are you planning a home remodel? Let’s talk.
This is for you if you are looking for comfortable and safe aging-in-place remodeling services.
If you’re thinking about a remodeling project, tell us about it! We’ve remodeled homes throughout the Boston area and we’d love to hear about your ideas. Contact us today.
Our company has built its reputation on the back of superior construction and development projects, never failing to meet project timelines and budget constraints.
