10 Of the Biggest Renovation Design Mistakes Homeowners Make
Avoid these 10 biggest renovation mistakes on your next home project
1 Starting Renovations too soon
If possible, live in your house for a while before making any renovation plans. Learn what works and doesn't work with your existing floor plan. Figure out the flow paths of the house. Where do people tend to congregate, nap, read? Is it possible to prep in the kitchen with ease? Are there areas of the home that cause you discomfort, inconvenience, or avoidance? What aspects of the home help you feel comfortable, inspired, and happy?
All this will inform you about how the future design plugs into what works for you.
2 Expecting everything to go according to plan
Work on older and not so older buildings can yield lots of unforeseen events. You never know what's behind those walls or under the ground when you excavate for the new foundation. New construction is more controlled and cost budgeting is easier to manage. Be prepared for the unexpected.
3 Underestimating costs & time frame
Most jobs will cost more and take longer than you expect, so add 15 percent to what you think a project will total when budgeting. Be realistic in the beginning and if the project comes in lower at the completion, then your surprises are happy ones.
4 Neglecting to hire an architect from the start
You are about to spend large sums of money than you ever thought possible and it might as well be for a correctly designed thing. Finding and bringing in an architect at the beginning of the process will give you an honest assessment of what's worth saving and using and not.
5 Waiting too long to consult with a General Contractor
Ask a contractor to look at the plans in the schematic stage rather than at the detailed finish plans. Finding out if the project is headed in the right budget direction will make for some restfull nights. It is also a great way to develop a relationship with the builder and start building that successful team that can adapt easily to the unknowns ahead. Finding a contractor that enjoys renovations and can be honest about scheduling is not always easy.
6 Pretending to understand a design scheme
Most people have difficulty reading two dimensional plans. Ask the architect to create more readable floor plans using color or different line weights and spending more time laying out room sizes with a tape measure and blue painters tape. Perhaps a three dimensional scale model or rendered perspective sketches will help the process. Ask lots of questions.
7 Skimping on quality
Keeping the wind and rain out are very important and installing good windows and doors, the siding and roofing are all paramount. On the interior, spend money on the things you will interact with everyday and touch like nice cabinet and door hardware, plumbing fixtures and appliances.
8 Not setting a timeline
Work with your architect and contractor to put together a list of items that will need to be ordered and delivered and most importantly for making final decisions. The last thing you want to feel is under the gun to make an important fixture or appliance selection you'll later regret. If you are purchasing items like light fixtures and appliances, print out the specs and create a site binder for all to use.
9 Trying to be your own contractor
Aside from their experience with construction materials and sources, general contractors have something else to offer - accountability. Sub-contractors and suppliers have relationships with general contractor's that will suffer if they don't get the job done in a timely manner and correctly.
10 Spending too much on Tech Technology
Technology can be pricey and become outdated quickly. Evaluate your personal needs and don't be concerned about resale in this department. Listen to the experts about what is on the horizon, but for too many clients install wiring in the walls that is never used. Run a conduit through the floor levels from the basement for future while addressing all fire codes.