Home renovations can be exciting—because who doesn’t love upgrades in the home? But they can also be expensive and overwhelming if not done correctly. Let’s face it, it’s going to be costly whether the renovations go perfectly or not, but if you prepare and go into the process armed with some knowledge and know-how, your repairs and upgrades will cost far less. Take a look at some of the most common renovation mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Neglecting to Create a Budget
You will need to create a budget to manage your spending with any large undertaking. Your budget doesn’t have to be exact to the penny, but you should have some general idea of the amount of money you want to spend on the renovation. If you operate on a budget, you will likely be a little choosier on what you are spending your money on. You will need to take the whole budget and break it down into different categories. It may look something like this: I’m going to spend X amount on new furniture, X amount on paint, X amount on decorative accessories, and X amount on new flooring, etc. Having a specific plan will help as you shop around.
Mistake #2: Not Setting Reasonable Goals
Another mistake people inadvertently make is not setting reasonable and realistic goals for their home renovation project. For instance, someone may try to fit too much into a small space in the home. Or perhaps they will underestimate the amount of money a project will cost and not have enough funds to complete it. Another common one is minimizing the time that a task will take. Before you start a project, it would be a great idea to sit down and create some realistic goals. What can I do with X amount of money, X amount of space, and X amount of time?
Mistake #3: Buying Before You Plan
Have you ever gone to the grocery store without a list while famished? We probably have all made this mistake. It all seems fine until you check out, and the bill is higher than you have ever seen. Then, you look around at all the stuff you bought, and you don’t even have anything to make for dinner! If you start buying things for your project before creating a plan and budget, you will spend more than you want. Often, the impulse buys are the ones that are not going to fit or work in the space. Finalize your ideas and budget before you start buying. You can create a notebook or digital portfolio with different measurements, color swatches, and ideas, so if you come across something that you love but have not planned for, you will have the information you need to make sure it will work.
Mistake #4: Sacrificing Quality for Savings
We are big believers in saving money where you can, but we also know that the saying “you get what you pay for” is true. Sometimes you should pay more to get a better-quality product or service. You should research and compare prices to ensure you do not get overcharged. You can read reviews on any products or companies you consider using to ensure that you will get your money’s worth. Sometimes we will go for the cheapest option, but in the end, if you must replace something because it was low-quality, then it wasn’t that cheap. You don’t have to go with the most expensive option but make sure you use quality items built to last.
Mistake #5: Doing Everything All on Your Own
This mistake goes along with the last one. It’s a common misconception that doing things yourself can save a lot of money. In some cases, this is absolutely true. If you can get a good deal on supplies, you already own the tools that you will need, and you have a pretty good idea of how to complete the project, you may be able to do it for a fraction of the price. However, if you don’t have the experience needed, and you will need to buy a lot of stuff just to do the work, it can sometimes be more cost-effective to hire a professional for the job. You can’t forget that your time has value as well. It could be worth the money if a professional can come in and be finished in a day compared to all your weekends for a few months.
Before you decide to DIY your home renovation, price out what it will cost to do it yourself and compare that to some quotes from local professionals. If you are going to save thousands of dollars by doing it yourself, that’s great! But if the cost difference really isn’t that much, consider hiring the pros who will have your job done faster than you could hope to do it yourself.
Zippy Shell Is Available for Your Mobile Storage Needs
We hope these tips were helpful as you prepare for your home renovation project! If you need a place to store your stuff while working in the home, give Zippy Shell a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us online. We can deliver a mobile storage unit to your home, and you can keep it as long as you need to finish your project. Or, if you would like, we can transport the unit to one of our secure facilities until you need it back. We hope to hear from you soon!
