5 Basic Renovating Mistakes
Since DIY renovation became fodder for reality TV, it’s easy to be fooled into thinking that all you have to do to complete a home makeover is to pull on a tight fitting t-shirt and grab a nail gun. The actual reality is far different; and not properly accounting for the full impact of renovating can cost you plenty of money, time and heartache.
Being mindful of the following rookie renovating errors can be helpful in sidestepping trouble:
Going Cheap.
“You get what you pay for” certainly rings true in DIY land. This applies to both building materials and tradespeople. You don’t have to be over the top with your expenditure, just don’t cut corners so much that you end up with shoddy supplies and workmanship.
Bad Budgeting.
Be aware that most renovation projects rarely cost what you think they will. Usually it’s significantly more. Do your due diligence to ensure you have an understanding of the scale of work, and whether your budget can realistically accommodate this. If you think you might struggle financially, break the project down to more manageable chunks over a longer time period, to allow you time to save.
Going Too Trendy.
While it might make you feel good knowing how ‘on point’ your renovations are, understand that the work is going to be there a long while. Today’s trend is often tomorrow’s awkwardness, so best to aim for a look that’s more ‘classically stylish’ than ‘so hot right now.’
Building Small.
A major source of renovating regret is making things too small – bathrooms, doors and hallways in particular. These things create impracticality, and headaches down the track.
Not Anticipating Chaos.
A significant renovation project can cause major upheaval, and first time DIY-ers often don’t account for the level of disruption. Prepare contingency plans for dealing with day-to-day living over an extended period of time.
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