Common Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home

Buying a new home comes with a feeling of achievement and excitement. But no matter how dreamy a home may look like from the outside, you might still want to make a couple of adjustments here and there to personalize it to your tastes, especially after the first few years. Focus and thoughtful planning is key. 

When you decide to give your home an upgrade, you may not be able to anticipate all the hurdles and traps you may face. But keeping a note of common mistakes of remodelers and avoiding them will help you save money, time and energy and keep you from getting burned out. 

1. Letting your emotions get in the way

Remember it’s your property and you’ll be here for a long time. And so will your investment in it, perhaps even longer. No one can always accurately predict the future; the only thing we’re all sure about is that change is constant. That’s why the most astute investors let their heads, rather than their hearts, guide their choices.  

When buying a new home or remodeling an old one, avoid paying over the odds as changes in your personal life like an expanding family or a new job in an entirely new country or distant city may mean you have to sell the property in a couple of years. You surely don’t want to run at a loss in the end. 

Whatever upgrading choices you make and the tools and investments you buy for that purpose, make sure you’re confident with your choices. Factor in the potential resale value of the property after its transformation. 

2. Going with trends, rather than the classics

If there’s one thing that’s constantly going in out of style, it’s… well, style itself. That pink or black refrigerator might give your kitchen a trendy look, but it could become so yesterday by the time your impressed guests return for a second visit in just a few weeks later. Perhaps they might not be so impressed again, huh?

Just like fashion, home décor trends are always coming in and going out. But classics never do. So, when thinking of bringing in new appliances into your kitchen to add some zest or changing the look or pattern of your sitting room, think quality and think the future. Steel items and materials and open shelving are sure in vogue today, but choosing sustainable products is a good way to infuse the classic element in your home that will last the test of time. 

3. Putting price before quality 

‘Cheap’ may be listed as a synonym for ‘inexpensive,’ but like all synonyms, these two words are not exactly the same thing. Home remodeling is a project for the long term and all the processes, items and tools should be of standard quality that guarantees comfort, convenience and, importantly, durability. 

While chasing quality, it’s wise to maximise costs and spread out your investments. But always have a middle point. Inexpensive is good, but quality is better. On the other hand, cheap is bad and will be counterproductive in the long run.  

There’s a reason why those nice-looking roofing shingles, wood glue or that other work tool for your DIY remodeling work are expensive. If you have to go for a bargain basement brand, be certain to think your decision through. 

4. Thinking a brand new home entitles you to brand-new everything

One common assumption among buyers is that brand new homes come fitted with all modern appliances and features imaginable -- in spanking new conditions and with optimum performance. 

But does moving into a new home mean you’ll have brand-new everything and with very little or no remodeling work to do? Not always, except if you buy from reputable local agents with years of experience and verifiable results to guarantee a high chance of that happening. 

Otherwise, the best bet is to live in your new home for a while and then figure out which areas need some fixing to remake the property into the perfect image in your head. 

5. Not recognizing or focusing on the most important spaces

Not all rooms in the home are equal. So, except you have an unlimited budget (who does, anyway?), you’ll need to focus on the most used and important spaces in your property to get the best out of your home upgrade project. 

Top on your list should always be your living room, the kitchen and your bathroom; and perhaps your lawn. The sitting room and the kitchen are generally considered the heart of the home, and any significant upgrades in them typically has a way of reflecting in the look and comfort level of the entire property. 

The idea of re-tiling your living room, fixing that beautiful greenhouse window over your kitchen sink, or locating your heavy and prized antique possession handed down across generations may send a sensation of excitement and satisfaction running through your veins. But realistically, home remodeling is hard work and can be expensive, too. It’s a process that requires time, commitment, carefully planning and execution.