Home renovations are big business. Being in the enviable position of moving forward with renovating your property can result in a purpose-built home that delivers exactly what you want and need. However, before you get to that stage and embark on your new life in your newly renovated home, you need to survive the renovation stage first. And honestly, this can be a challenge in itself.
Renovations can create some unique issues and challenges and put your family through the ringer. Many of the 51% of homeowners who undertook a home renovation in 2024 will be nodding along to this sentiment. It’s never plain sailing all the time.Â
However, as homeowners, some things are under your control and can influence the type of home renovation experience you have. Let’s take a quick look at some of the biggest mistakes you absolutely need to avoid.
Underestimating the Budget
We’re addressing the obvious one first, but one of the most common issues people face when facing a home renovation is that their budget does not go as far as they need it to. Or they fail to have a contingency plan. It’s recommended that you have a buffer of around 10 to 20% of your total spend for emergencies and those unforeseen issues that can crop up.
Do not be tempted to overspend on the finishing details and have splurges on extras that you don’t necessarily need but want too soon. This can eat into your budget and leave you with less for more important things, like materials. So, leave those “extras” until the end, and if you have a budget left over, then splash the cash.
Skipping Research
Whether you enjoy the planning stage or not, it’s crucial to dedicate the necessary time and attention to it. From selecting the right home renovation company to ensuring all measurements, pricing, and permits are in order, each step should be meticulously reviewed to eliminate oversights and uncertainties.
Ignoring Planning Permission
Not all changes to your home need planning permission; however, some do. You might find you need approval for a loft conversion. Yet a single-storey kitchen extension can go ahead with no applications needed. Or if you live in a listed building or have building regulations you need to adhere to, you might need to double-check before any work gets underway. Failing to obtain the correct paperwork can lead to you having to rip everything out, restore the property to its original state and even face fines and legal battles. No one wants that.
Form over Function
It should go without saying that one of the biggest mistakes you can make is focusing on the aesthetic side of the renovation more than the functionality. Aesthetics can be changed at a later date. You can change the paint, fixtures, and fittings, like handles and lights, etc. But if you’re basing your renovation on what it looks like over how it works, then it’s going to leave you up the creek without a paddle and potentially incur increased costs, too. Â
