Refreshing your home can both bring a new atmosphere and mood to our home, and also increase the value of our property if we decide to sell or rent it out. But don't wait until you decide to sell your home to enjoy it at its best, just when you have to move out.

But what happens when the renovation we've decided to undertake for one reason or another doesn't turn out as we imagined and isn't done with the quality we expected? Here are 10 of the most common renovation mistakes, shared by construction specialist Steve Brooke from Amerex Renovations.

"The first thing I always do before starting a major home renovation is to remove any poor-quality previous repairs and start fresh. "

With 40 years of experience in construction and 20 years in renovations, Steve has compiled the most common mistakes made so that you don't repeat them!

Here's what you can look out for during your next home refresh to avoid expensive mistakes during the renovation.

1. Ignoring existing problems and the lack of a buffer budget for unexpected costs.

When you tear down walls or remove flooring, you might discover something unexpected. Even something not so expensive can derail your planned budget. That's why we should always set aside additional funds for unexpected situations. And when unforeseen problems arise, it's better to deal with them immediately. In practice, these are plumbing or electrical issues. When you solve problems as they arise, even if it initially adds extra cost, you ultimately save in the long run.

2. Working with the cheapest craftsman or materials.

We've all heard the saying "You get what you pay for." Some of us have even experienced its consequences. But when looking for the cheapest offer, we can fall into this trap. While we might save some money upfront, it's almost certainly something you'll regret in the long run.

To avoid this, here are a few questions you can ask yourself.

  • Why is this offer so much cheaper?
  • Where does the price difference come from?
  • Are they using cheap and low-quality materials?
  • Is everything included in the offer, or will there be additional costs that arise during the work, leading to further price increases?
  • Do they have enough experience in what they need to do?
  • Can they show you references where you can see the quality of their work for previous clients?
  • What are the project timelines and do they meet our requirements.

3. Cheap and low-quality lighting, faucets and accessories

Saving money in the short term might seem like a good idea, but in the long term, it's not. Consider investing in quality faucets and accessories for your kitchen and bathroom. Products that you use every day are worth spending a little more on to get a quality product. A quality product will mean fewer repairs in the future and their replacement. Higher quality materials mean they will last longer and perform better in terms of material wear and tear in the long run.

Quality materials and products often have additional features that make our lives easier and more enjoyable, making them worth the price.

4. Terrible painting skills!

Refreshing a home that has been finished with quality painting is a joy to behold! On the other hand, poor painting can ruin a beautiful home, even an otherwise well-executed renovation. There are many more nuances than most people realize. A home with walls that haven't been properly prepared or traces of paint drips, uneven coverage, brush marks, or poor straight cuts can look amateurish at best. If you can afford it within your budget, hire a recommended painter to do the job with the quality your home deserves.


5. In Search of the Newest and Most Modern Appliances and Gadgets

Beware of buying luxury appliances that are unlikely to be used daily. A good example is a pot filler. What do you think? It's a faucet installed above the cooktop that allows you to fill pots directly on the stove instead of carrying them to the sink. It gained popularity in the United States about 5 years ago and is now rapidly going out of use. Also keep in mind that technology is one of those things that has a short lifespan and quickly becomes obsolete. Trends there change very quickly and what is modern today may be outdated tomorrow. When designing your home, it is always a good idea for appliances to be discreetly integrated into the design.

6. Buying unnecessarily expensive bathroom tiles or unsuitable ones.

Bathroom tiles do not need to be expensive to look good.
A good tiling company or interior designer should be able to help you with a great design, pattern or color that suits your taste, without costing a fortune. Save your money and spend it on quality faucets and accessories instead! But keep in mind when choosing a design that this is an element that is difficult and rarely changed. Select suitable materials according to where and how they will be used. If you are unsure of your choice, consult with specialists.

7. Be careful with sale products.

Sale products, as well as faucets, accessories or tiles, should be

purchased with caution. If they are the last pieces, they may have been sitting in the store for some time and may have slight damages, defects or scratches, as well as missing parts that are difficult

to replace.

With materials like tiles, you need to make sure you have enough for all the surfaces in your home where you want to install them. For this type of material, you should plan for an additional quantity, because you may not be able to order from the same batch. With materials like tiles, this can be a problem, as it is common for different batches to have slight variations in color. This can ruin the final result due to mismatched and clashing colors. And depending on the different arrangement options, you may have more waste than expected. It is better to have some left over than not enough. Plan for a reserve.

8. Lack of sufficient storage space

Create storage spaces everywhere possible, because there is never enough. If you are building a second floor, talk to your builder or designer to use the space under the stairs. In the kitchen, there are many inserts and elegant solutions that will allow you to use even the narrowest and smallest spaces in corners. In the bedroom, create built-in cabinets and wardrobes wherever you can find storage space and you will thank yourself later. Use your home's space wisely and consider multifunctional elements when designing small rooms. To avoid clutter, create storage space for your belongings.

9. Using your friend, relative, or partner

Do you have a friend or family member who can help? Maybe they are a plumber, electrician, or carpenter? It's a budget-friendly solution to use the help

of a family member or friend to save money.

But be aware that there are many pitfalls and potential problems with this. And for

this reason, it's good to be on the lookout for such problems before you start and agree.
Above all, always be sure that you are using professionals trained electricians, plumbers, builders, and anything related to gas or the structural integrity of your home. And even if you know them, make sure they have the necessary insurance, because otherwise you will be potentially responsible in case of an accident.

And last but not least, consider, whether you will be able to call them again if you are not satisfied with their work. Could unsatisfactory work lead to a breakdown of your relationship with them?

10. Unfinished work

We all know someone who has started a home renovation and spent years working on it. Their home always looks like a work in progress with no end in sight! While DIY projects can be a hobby for some, it's wonderful to live in a renovated and refreshed home and enjoy the comforts of the renovation.

Don't fall into the trap that many people fall into—finishing a started renovation when they decide it's time to sell the property. This means they have too little time to enjoy the potential of their home before selling it.

Work smart, not hard!