Planning a home renovation can be stressful. There’s the need for careful evaluation of your plans, adequate budgeting, and anticipating unforeseen events. You could be thrilled to finally be able to renovate your first home and turn it into your dream living space. But before you, it pays to do a little research so you won’t end up regretting the decisions you make related to your renovation.
Remember that even minor mistakes can have a significant impact on your project. You don’t want to spend precious time and resources renovating the property only for the result to be a complete fail. Here are four costly mistakes you should avoid making when renovating as a first-time homeowner.
Renovating Before Moving In
Some people would invest in a house and wants to tackle renovation projects even before they settle. They want a hassle-free moving day by ensuring their new living space already has everything they want in a house. But since it is quite impossible to find the perfect home with such a limited budget and location preferences, some would settle on renovations instead.
One piece of advice worth considering is to postpone your renovation. What you can do is to live in the house for a few weeks or months before you call your local contractors to tackle your desired projects. This will give you enough time to get to know your new home better and check if you are ready to commit to a remodeling.
Some renovation projects will require you to move out, like a second-story addition or a rood removal and installation. But if there is no need for major remodeling projects and you can still wait before investing, choose to move in before renovating. Waiting will allow you to get a better feel of the house and prioritize projects according to necessity.
Rushing Renovating Decisions
Just because you now own your own home already meant you should be quick to make decisions. Sure, renovating can help you achieve better home health, comfort, security, and value. But you want to invest in the correct information so you will feel more confident with your selections.
For instance, you plan on an outdoor kitchen installation. You already have a design in mind and can’t wait to get the plan started. Before you start the project, think about the basics first and weigh the pros and cons of doing the project on your own and hiring local contractors to do this for you.
Even if you are willing to hire the pros to start the project soon, be sure you take time to find the right people. Ask for recommendations and check their online reviews. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and acquire quotes from different contractors before choosing.
The same goes for pushing through with the project without checking if you need additional permits. You want to make sure you know and have proof of where your property lines are. It also makes sense to check with your homeowners’ association to ensure you won’t be breaking any rules.
Failure to Communicate Your Renovation Plans
Communication is crucial to ensure you and your contractors are on the same page. It is also worth talking to your family and checking if your renovation plans will accommodate their lifestyle and spatial needs. But did you know that far too many couples push through with their divorce because of renovation issues?
Many couples fail to communicate clearly and effectively, sealing their desire to give up their marriage during renovation. Communication breakdowns can be the last straw to your already cracked marriage. If you don’t want your renovation to ruin your marriage, be willing to listen, communicate, and compromise.
Talk about your needs, what you both want in your new home, and how you can meet in the middle. If you can’t decide, an interior designer can help. Having a neutral third party can help you find ways to compromise and still enjoy your preferred interior design.
Focusing on the Latest Trends
Many homeowners would take into consideration the latest trends when renovating the house. They want the house to fit modern trends that they are willing to sacrifice the resale value and their own comfort. Remember that you need a comfortable, functional house, and one can you resell for good value in the future.
Even if you don’t have plans to sell the property soon, think about the resale value when renovating. There is no point in trying to keep up with the latest trends if all this has to offer is a good-looking house. You also want your home to be able to fit your family’s needs and can last for a long time.
You sacrificed many things just to be able to buy your new home. It only makes sense that you want it to conform to your own needs and standards. But for best results, it won’t hurt to keep this list in mind so you can avoid having the same regrets as other homeowners who renovated their houses.
Meta title: Regrets New Homeowners Have When It Comes Renovating
meta desc: First-time homeowners are often excited to make all the necessary changes they can do to turn their new house into their ideal living space. But before you invest in a renovation, here are some pointers you need to keep in mind.
