Homeowners remodel parts of their homes in order to improve the quality and comfort of their living area. Unfortunately, some efforts or plans to remodel may actually end up being a mistake that will cost you more in the long run than you had budgeted! Here are a few tips to avoid those expensive frustrations.
Avoid Improvements That Don’t Add Value
Some “improvements” will not actually “improve” the value of your home. Prioritize quality over size of renovations. Converting a garage into a residential room sounds like a great use of space—until it’s time to sell the home and new owners have extra cars or want the space for storage. Wine cellars, basements, and attics all follow suit. The additional living space might sound appealing for you, but if you ever intend on selling the house in the future you have to keep in mind the general needs and wants of home buyers. Avoid cheap materials and unnecessary or unimportant additions to your home until the basics are well taken care of. Those kinds of renovations will actually improve the quality and value of the overall property.
Choose a Quality Contractor
Don’t pick cheap labor to do an expensive job! Renovations are meant to be visible or functional (or both,) so don’t skimp on quality expertise to get the job done. It is significantly more financially sound to spend more on hiring a professional than to have to re-renovate when the task is done poorly. You should review the construction company you want before hiring them to do a job. Look into reviews of past customers, success stories, and compare their rates and promises to other companies. Find a company you are comfortable with and that you can trust with your home.
Have a Plan B (and Even C!)
“Plan A” almost never goes 100 percent to plan. Be prepared mentally, emotionally, and financially for things to go sideways! Have backup plans for if materials are unavailable, if the price of labor or of construction is more than anticipated, if damages are accumulated that need repair, or for any random surprises like changing your opinion on a style or finding a different option. Make sure you budget well and give yourself a buffer or safety net to provide you with peace of mind when you need it.
Help your renovations go as smoothly and as successfully as possible by being realistic with your renovation ideas, smart with your contractor choices, and prepared for anything to come your way, and enjoy the confidence that comes with knowing you’ve done your renovating right!
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