Things To Avoid When Renovating Your Home
Kyl Roelofs • October 23, 2023
Renovation Gone Wrong: Avoid These Missteps
Home renovations
can be exciting—until they aren’t. The dream of creating your perfect space can quickly spiral into a chaotic nightmare if you're not careful. Whether you're renovating to make your house a dream home or hoping to impress future buyers, it's essential to avoid common pitfalls that could drain your wallet and your patience. Let’s dive into the top four home renovation mistakes to dodge—and how to steer clear of them with style and sanity intact.
1. Putting All Your Eggs in the Kitchen-and-Bathroom Basket
Ah, the classic kitchen and bathroom remodel. These rooms are the divas of home renovations—they demand all the attention and most of your budget. But is it worth it?
- The average kitchen remodel costs around $22,000, and a bathroom facelift will set you back about $10,000. Fancy upgrades are nice, but overdoing it might not deliver the return on investment (ROI) you’re hoping for.
- Instead, consider spreading the love to other areas of your home, like basic maintenance. New siding or fresh paint can make just as big an impact—sometimes even bigger!
- Pro Tip: Take a peek at your neighbors’ homes. Are they rocking granite countertops or splurging on marble? Match the vibe of your area without going overboard. No one’s looking for a champagne bathroom in a beer-budget neighborhood.
2. Going Wild with Landscaping
Waterfalls, koi ponds, and an exotic rose garden sound dreamy—until someone has to maintain them. Spoiler alert: that someone will probably be you.
- Over-the-top landscaping doesn’t just eat up your budget; it might also scare off potential buyers who aren’t ready to be part-time gardeners.
- Instead, aim for landscaping that’s simple, tidy, and climate-friendly. Think drought-resistant plants in Arizona or low-maintenance greenery anywhere else.
- Keep it Real: Buyers might want to tweak the yard to suit their style, so don’t make it too specific. Less is more when it comes to curb appeal!
3. Bye-Bye Bedrooms: Knocking Down Walls
Open spaces are trendy, sure—but merging two small bedrooms into one big one might backfire.
- Small bedrooms can add big value-around 15% per room! By going from four bedrooms to three, you risk losing value and buyers. Families with kids or those needing extra rooms might skip your house entirely.
- Instead of demolition, use light colors, mirrors, and clever furniture placement to make small rooms feel larger. Bonus: no drywall dust to deal with.
- Pro Tip: Real estate listing websites often let buyers filter by the number of bedrooms. Don't eliminate yourself from searchers by shrinking your bedroom count unnecessarily!
4. Flying Without a Plan or Budget
Planning is boring, but winging it is expensive. Renovations
almost always cost more and take longer than expected, and if you’re not prepared, chaos will ensue.
- Budget Blunders to Avoid:
- Not starting with a clear budget.
- Forgetting to factor in “oops” expenses—unexpected surprises will always pop up.
- Taking on too many projects at once and running out of time, energy, or money.
- Smart Moves:
- Research your renovation projects and estimate labor and material costs.
- Add 10–20% to your budget for those inevitable surprises.
- Start small—complete one project before diving into the next.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Renovation Dreams Become a DIY Drama
While it’s tempting to pour all your efforts into making your kitchen Pinterest-perfect, remember that practical fixes—like repairing a leaky roof or replacing gutters—can add just as much value.
Before picking up a sledgehammer, consult with real estate agents and contractors
to figure out which renovations make sense for your home and your budget. And, most importantly, do you homework to hire a quality contracting company that knows how to do the job right. Here are Conroe Concrete
we make sure we only use the highest quality materials and expert crews to do the job.