Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
When considering any home renovations, you want to ensure you take plenty of time to plan every step of the work and do your research about different materials, design ideas, and the like. Remember that you'll need to live with those renovations for years to come, so it's worth some extra planning ahead of time if it means avoiding mistakes that will make your renovations less than desirable down the road. Note a few home renovation mistakes you want to avoid and discuss these with a contractor if needed.
1. Not upgrading the invisible parts of your home
When renovating your home, you may be thinking of the new space you'll have, the look of new flooring or large windows, and the like. You may then also be ignoring the "invisible" parts of your home, meaning the electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, and other parts of the home behind the walls. You should consider these things because it's good to update or upgrade wiring, pipes, ductwork, and other such features while your home is already been torn apart; it can be less costly to do it during a renovation project than to have contractors come at another time. Note too that your old wiring and plumbing may not support your new home theater, larger shower areas, and so on, so they should be included in your renovation plans.
2. Not selecting energy efficient choices
Energy efficient choices extend beyond your appliances. For example, you may want a new fancy toilet for the master bathroom, but a low-flow toilet will save water; a shower with multiple showerheads can be very relaxing, but it also typically means using more water. A stone floor may look very nice in the dining area, but will it hold the cold air during wintertime? Don't make the mistake of choosing building materials and the style of a home renovation project without considering energy efficiency over the long-term.
3. Not considering resale value
If you plan on living in your home for decades and cannot see yourself ever selling it, then the home renovation choices you make should suit your tastes alone. However, not all choices will add to the home's resale value, and you don't want to overlook this if you should decide to sell sometime down the road. Eliminating a bedroom in favor of creating a larger closet for another room might not be good in a suburb that appeals to families who need those bedrooms, and eclectic choices like bold wallpaper or plain concrete floors also may not appeal to all homebuyers. Keep renovation plans and styles somewhat neutral so your home retains its resale value.