Doing renovations on a home is fun and exciting. This is a great way to make an older residence more modern or create personalized space within a newer house. Every year, millions of people do some kind of renovation on their homes. Sometimes, it’s a simple project, like knocking out a wall to create an open living area. Other times, it involves gutting a kitchen to change its appearance and functionality.
However, not all renovation ideas are good ones. Some people make mistakes that aren’t just costly from a financial perspective but also from the outcome’s viewpoint. They’re left with a bigger mess than when they started. Knowing the most common renovation mistakes is the best way to avoid making them.
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Overlooking Homeowners Insurance
You might have the best homeowners insurance available, but unless you change your policy after completing renovations, you could find yourself in a risky position. After all, making changes to your home enhances it, not just aesthetically but also in value. So, unless you opt for different coverage, you wouldn’t have the protection you need.
Before you even start a renovation project, speak with your insurance agent. That way, you’ll learn what type of coverage you need specific to the updates, as well as how they’ll affect your premiums. With that information, you can budget accordingly.
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Not Thinking Long-term
Unless you plan to live in your house until the day you die, there’ll come a time when you put your home on the market to sell. Just because you might like things one way doesn’t mean potential buyers will agree. When choosing renovation projects, keep the future in mind. You want the enhancements to attract buyers, not turn them away.
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Not Choosing What Increases Property Value
There are plenty of ways to increase the value of a home and make it more appealing to buyers without spending a lot of money. For instance, if you upgrade the kitchen, don’t skimp on the faucet or cabinet hardware. Although these don’t seem like big deals, they are. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to choose high-end products, but don’t be cheap at the same time. It’s worth spending a little more.
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Not Securing the Required Permits
For some renovation projects, you must have permits. This is especially true when building or installing something new, perhaps a fence, swimming pool, extended patio, and so on. Without the right permits in hand, you could face stiff penalties. There’s even a risk of the city shutting down the work altogether.
If you have a professional doing the renovation, it’s that individual’s responsibility to secure all required permits. However, for DIY renovation projects, it’s up to you. Before you strike the first nail, contact your local city hall to find out if you need to get a permit and, if so, what kind.
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Going Beyond Your Skill Set
With thousands of DIY videos online, a lot of people believe they can do anything. It’s only after they get started that they realize they don’t have the needed qualifications. If you’re a handy kind of person and not in a big rush, you probably can tackle a lot of projects. On the other hand, if you don’t have the right skill set, just admit it and hire a professional.
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Not Thinking About Functionality
Another mistake is that people focus so much on how something will look when done that they fail to factor in functionality. You want renovations to make your home look great and function better at the same time. For example, if you want a kitchen island, don’t put it directly in front of the stove. Although that might be the most visual spot, it would also lead to overcrowding if more than one person wants to cook.
Avoid Mistakes
These are just a few of the things that people do wrong when renovating their houses. However, many more exist. Overall, you want to look for projects that’ll make your home feel more comfortable and inviting yet also saleable. Although all of these are important, perhaps the one that warrants the most attention is having the best homeowners insurance coverage. This isn’t something to take lightly as it could result in big problems.
