Common Remodel Mistakes Homeowners Make

Remodeling your home can be both exciting and stressful, and it often exhausts a significant amount of time, energy, and money. With this in mind, being aware of some of the most common mistakes homeowners make when they attempt their home remodels can save a lot of grief. The interior designers at Quail + Blu understand the stress that homeowners often experience when taking on a remodel. They have made it their mission to provide homeowners with the necessary, professional experience to execute a customized remodel while doing their best to ensure a smooth experience. So, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when remodeling your home? Let’s take a look.

Starting the renovation without a clear and written game plan.

Many homeowners stumble into a poorly planned remodel with an unclear (and often unrealistic) picture of what they actually want to create. Developing a detailed plan that clearly defines the specific style elements, materials, contractors, costs and desired timeline saves you a lot of headaches, not to mention time and money. Also, hiring an experienced interior designer to help design and facilitate the project gives you an experienced professional who can help turn a game plan into reality.

If taking on this task by yourself, make sure to do your research. Do the prep work, make a plan, get everything in line before starting the renovation. Just like you should always check to make sure you have all the ingredients for a recipe before you start cooking, you should do this for your home renovation.

Setting an unrealistic budget and/or timeline

Doing your research before starting your project will help you develop a more realistic idea of how much your remodel may cost and how long it may take. It is a good idea to factor in a little extra cost and time to account for potential delays and unforeseen issues. Building in an additional 20% of the predicted cost to the budget and adding a month or two (depending on the scale of the project) to the anticipated completion date can lessen future stress and frustration. Moreover, if the project is completed within the original budget and timeline, it will be a pleasant surprise!

Using the wrong kind of or low-quality materials

We all love a good deal. In fact, research has shown that feel-good chemicals in our brains (e.g. dopamine) are triggered when we feel that we are getting a good deal. However, when it comes to home remodels, purchasing sustainable, high-quality materials is crucial to the long-term investment of your home. While it is not necessary to purchase materials at the highest price point, it is still very possible to find high-quality materials for a great value.

In addition, knowing which materials are best suited for certain environments or purposes will prevent you from having to replace things too soon because of wear and tear. Keep in mind it is always a good idea to order a little more of the materials than the project is projected in case you run into any issues with installation or defects.

Sacrificing function and safety for aesthetics

We all love the Pinterest photos of spaces that look like they are right out of a catalog (back when those were still a thing). But we all know that a home that is well lived-in rarely looks as clean and pristine as those in the magazines. It is important to think about how often you will use the space and what you will be using the space for. Consider door, window and outlet placement, as well as traffic patterns throughout the home. But you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for comfort or functionality--Quail + Blu can help you curate a space that is both pleasing to the eye and functional with your particular lifestyle. Moreover, structural or safety should never be overlooked, for obvious reasons. Making sure that your space is structurally sound and up to safety standards is critical in avoiding potentially dangerous (and expensive) repairs down the road.

Forgoing the professionals

We know how this sounds, but it is true. There have been many a homeowner that regrets not bringing in the professionals at the start of the project. Having an experienced and trustworthy designer who is well-connected with the area’s top contractors can be the difference between a nightmare remodel and a successful remodel. Remember: they do this for a living. Chances are they have seen (almost) everything that can go wrong, so they know how to avoid these mistakes. Using a pro can help to ensure that you are getting good-quality materials for a good value, your home is up to code and safe, and that your design elements will be cohesive and functional.

We love designing and creating the perfect space for beautiful homes. Our team would love to assist you to make sure you are designing the space exactly how you envision it. Click HERE to contact us and book a consultation with our team today!