6 Common Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
Good morning, Marilyn. Over the last few weeks I have been talking a lot about home improvements that will maintain and improve resale property values. I’ve provided my top suggestions for what to do to make sure your home sells for top dollar when the time comes. These “to do” lists can be downloaded for free at my website, smartrealtysolution.com, if listeners happened to have missed them.
Today, I am going to switch gears a little bit and delve into the things not to do when planning home improvement projects. Avoiding these six common mistakes will save you time, frustration, and most importantly, money in your home renos.
- Not researching your contractor
Hiring a contractor is a big step in the home renovation process and not one you should take lightly. Make sure to do your due diligence to avoid getting scammed or ending up with a job you’re unhappy with.
- Picking trendy designs
As a rule, try and stick with a classic look for larger purchases like countertops, flooring, paint or decor. This will also help you appeal to a variety of potential buyers and hopefully boost your resale value.
- Running out of money
Not budgeting correctly for a project is a common issue that homeowners run into when they’re making home improvements. Make sure to do your research and get quotes from several contractors before you agree to anything.
- Expecting to be finished on time
Let’s be honest, even with the tightest of schedules something is bound to go wrong and throw you off track. Especially with older houses, you’re likely going to discover a few bumps in the road once you start doing some demo.
- Not measuring correctly
Everyone knows the old saying “measure twice, cut once” but it’s even more important when you’re talking about spending thousands on a home renovation project. You don’t want to blow your budget when you realize you ordered a countertop too small or your appliances don’t fit in your kitchen. Take your own measurements and double check them against your contractor to ensure accuracy.
- Attempting a difficult DIY
If you’re handy around the house, there are a lot of simple projects you can DIY to save money. But a common mistake homeowners make is taking on a DIY project that should really be handled by a professional.
So there you have it, Marilyn. A half a dozen things that ruin a reno. For a copy of this list, or for any other of our downloadable resources, visit smartrealtysolution.com or call me, Sharon, at 416-460-5636. While you’re on our website, why not register for one of our Wednesday Webinar sessions?
On Wednesday, July 24th we’ll be hosting an online workshop, “Downsizing Property Options: Not Just Condos” and on Wednesday July 31st, our webinar will be “Best Renos for ROI.” Like everything from SMART Realty Solutions, these are completely without cost or obligation.
And by the way, Marilyn, your listeners might not know that we offer in-home downsizing consultations. That’s right, they can schedule a time when I come and visit and give my “Realtor’s-eye-view” of how to start the downsizing process. Again free of cost and available exclusively by contacting me, Sharon at 416-460-5636 or by visiting smartrealtysolution.com.
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