5 Ways to Avoid Renovation Mistakes

Home Renovation

A home renovation is as stressful as it is exciting. It is also supposed to add value to your property in the long run. However, one simple mistake can turn this experience into a nightmare. So how do you make sure this process stays problem-free? Here are 5 common renovation mistakes that you should steer clear from:

1. Poor Planning and Budgeting

You cannot go into a project this big without proper planning. A proper renovation requires preparation – lots of it. Best tip is to set out a detailed agreement with your contractor of choice so you can visualise the entire process and stay on top of things.

2. Ignoring Proportions

When you get to renovating, everyone gets excited and start throwing in their ideas, and while multiple opinions are good, the problem arises when the ideas don’t fit the flow of the room. For example, the proportions of the windows to the ceiling and the sizes of the doors to the room are little details that often get overlooked by what we want and what actually fits the house.

3. Not Researching The Contractors

This is a careless mistake, but it happens. We hear about contractors from friends and decide to hire them immediately without doing any research. The best thing to do is to make sure that they have been in the business for at least 5 years. Don’t forget to make sure they are properly licensed as well.

4. Quick Fixes and Rushing The Process

It’s exciting to get your home renovated and it’s understandable to want it ready as soon as possible. But hold onto your horses and try to be patient. Quick fixes could also be another problem because a simpler solution now might become a huge problem in the future. Getting cheap bricks or cement might seem smart now but in the long run, it might be more susceptible to water damage. So, don’t rush the process and let the renovation run its course.

5. Unlicensed Trades and Not Securing Permits

This is probably the most important thing to avoid. Renovating a house is no easy feat and you need to apply for permits before you even start to renovate. Permits also protect your home and ensure everything stays safe. Without the necessary documentation, there might be a chance that your renovation clashes with the city’s codes and you might find yourself in a much bigger puddle of trouble – the law. So save yourself the headache and apply for permits. Do check with the city council to obtain the actual codes for renovation.

These are the fundamental renovation mistakes you want to avoid at all cost. If you would like to speed up the process of securing a contractor, Gawin has a list of certified and experienced contractors with a perfect track record, as well as painters and interior designers that you can look into. Happy renovating!