Renovating your home on your own is an exciting adventure, but the most challenging parts of any adventure are the hazards and problems you encounter along the way. Whether you’re upgrading a section of your bedroom or performing a full household tear-down and overhaul, make sure you know what you’re in for. Here are the top five common renovation issues and how to avoid them. Save time, money, and annoyance by being aware of these pitfalls.
Underestimating Costs
The single most consistent issue in renovation is sticking to your budget. At any moment, you may be confronted with a sudden need for extra materials or an unexpected obstacle. Draft a budget before beginning any home project, including funds for permits, supplies, and other expenses. Make a point of rounding your budget up by 10–20 percent to cover unforeseen repairs and other surprises, because you never know. But an extra cushion will help you stay on schedule and save money.
Setting an Unrealistic Timeline
Speaking of scheduling, optimism is a great quality, but when it comes to DIY home renovations, throw it out the window. If something can go wrong, figure it will, especially if you lack experience in some of the renovations you’re attempting. Delays happen. Materials can arrive late. Structural issues are revealed. Or projects simply take longer than predicted. Along with your budget, set up a realistic timeframe, granting a buffer zone of a day or two between stages. As you proceed, a sensible timeline allows for flexibility.
Unknown Hazards
Old buildings have a lot of charm, personality, and value. They also hide dangers new construction doesn’t have. Before you start swinging that sledgehammer, it’s best to test. Have a home inspector investigate every nook and cranny in search of asbestos, lead paint, mercury, and other hazardous materials often found in old buildings. If any of these materials are found, add hazardous waste removal to your budget and schedule, and leave their removal to a certified professional. Once they’re gone, renovations may proceed.
Skimping on Quality
Saving money is admirable, but not if it puts you and others at risk. Finding deals on materials is fine but ensure the deal isn’t connected with poor-quality materials. A home is a long-term investment, but outfitting it in shoddy bricks, drywall, lumber, wiring, plumbing, fixtures and fittings, and more guarantees bigger headaches and greater expenses in the future. Cutting corners always leads to flimsy construction.
Failing To Plan for Functionality
Looks aren’t everything. When renovating make sure your home is more than just a pretty place. Plan out the renovation with practicality in mind. Keep traffic flow, natural and artificial lighting, storage, utilities, ventilation, and so forth in mind as you rehab. Find the perfect balance of beauty and livability. As the old saying goes, form follows function.
Those are the top five common renovation issues and how to avoid them. Being aware of the above obstacles makes them less surprising and puts you in a better position to deal with them. Good luck with transforming your home!
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