Itching to get started on your home remodel? Don’t start knocking down walls just yet! Interior home remodeling is a serious undertaking that requires careful planning and execution. When you jump the gun on a renovation project, you’re more likely to end up with expensive problems down the road that can ruin your home.
As trusted remodeling contractors in Indianapolis, we have fixed plenty of remodeling mistakes from DIY efforts and other general contractors. There are five important home renovation mistakes to avoid so you can love your home remodel for years to come.
- Hiring the first contractor you find.
One of the biggest home renovation mistakes we see is a lack of due diligence when researching contractors. You should always make a list of contractors in your area and interview all of them to learn more about their experience and qualifications.
Are they licensed, bonded and insured? What is their communication style like? Have they worked on projects similar to the one you hope to achieve? Do they have positive customer reviews? Do they value building relationships with their clients and truly working with their best interests in mind?
Extensive home improvement projects take time, and you want to work with someone you can trust. Before hiring a contractor, ask yourself if you feel like you can connect with them and will be comfortable sharing your space with them for several months.
- Poorly scheduling and planning your remodel.
Your contractor will help you plan and schedule your remodel, but it’s still important to think ahead. If you typically host family gathering and events, it wouldn’t make sense to schedule a full kitchen remodel a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Be sure your contractor creates a detailed timeline with all major milestones so you can double check that the schedule works for your lifestyle.
You should also gather any required permits before demolition begins. A lack of permits will slow down — and even permanently halt — your project. Many contractors will handle permit gathering for you, but double check with them to be safe.
Remember to be patient! There are a lot of moving parts to a home remodel. With supply chain slowdowns and labor shortages, there’s no guarantee that even the most carefully planned projects will be completed on time.
- Choosing the cheapest materials.
Have you ever heard the saying, “You get what you pay for”? You might be tempted to cut down on renovation costs and save money by choosing cheaper materials, but this decision will end up costing you more in the long run. Cheap products are typically lower in quality and will require expensive maintenance — if not full replacements — within a few years.
This doesn’t mean that you need to choose the most expensive light fixtures, flooring and appliances on the market. There are plenty of affordable materials and products out there that do not compromise quality! The right contractor will help you find cost-effective, high-quality products that look good and last longer.
- Waiting too long to hire professional help.
We know you want to get started on your renovation project right away. It can be tempting to DIY, but if you have very little construction experience, you can end up causing costly errors and putting yourself in danger. Even if you are handy, it’s better to hire a contractor who can complete your project on budget and on time. It’s not reasonable to get a big remodel done on time when you only have the weekends to work.
Abandoning your DIY efforts and hiring a contractor a few weeks into your project will ultimately result in time wasted from not only researching the right company, but also having them fix your mistakes. A job well done is always better than a job half done.
- Only considering aesthetics.
Many homeowners skip the contractor and go straight to the interior designer. We know it’s fun to pick out paint colors, backsplashes, finishes and fixtures, but prioritizing style over function could leave you with a remodel you don’t love. Focusing on function ensures your remodeled space is easy to navigate and comfortable to live in.
For example, if you forego planning the layout of your cabinets and spend more time debating finishes, you could be left with a cabinet layout that does not fit your space or needs. These kinds of mistakes are extremely expensive and disruptive to fix. Cabinet colors can always be updated with a fresh coat of paint.
Considering a remodel?
With White Oak, choosing an efficient and trustworthy contractor has never been easier. Our interior remodeling team has decades of experience and is committed to providing the best remodeling process possible. We pride ourselves in using only the best supplies and materials for the job and have formed close relationships and partnerships with various manufacturers to ensure you get everything you want at an affordable price.
If you’re ready to work with a contractor who can provide an unbeatable end result while limiting interruption time and saving you money, say “Yes!” to White Oak. Contact us any time to get started on your remodel project and enhance your Central Indiana home.
