8 Common Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

So many possibilities. So many decisions. Remodeling is an exciting time as you create the home of your dreams in the neighborhood you love. But it’s also predictably unpredictable, from site and structural constraints to material and labor volatility. It’s enough to make even veteran home remodelers feel uncertain, as blunders and missteps can be expensive. Today, we’re sharing the most common remodeling mistakes to avoid as you plan your project.

Table of Contents

• 1. Not Setting Aside a Contingency Budget
• 2. Waiting to Hire Your Build Team
• 3. Jumping In Without Clear Project Goals
• 4. Not Trusting Your Architect
• 5. Adding Too Many Design Trends
• 6. Assuming the Design Is Static
• 7. Skipping a Frequently Used Room
• 8. Assuming You Have to Scrape and Rebuild
• Start Your Home Remodel Right

1. Not Setting Aside a Contingency Budget

In home remodeling, expect the unexpected. Any number of things can come up during the design and build process. Asbestos, bad wiring, lead paint, and pest infestation are a few unpleasant surprises homeowners may encounter, among many others. A contingency fund takes the financial sting out of these unwelcome bumps in the road. Whether it’s 10, 15, or 20 percent of the project budget (or whatever makes sense for you), set it aside and don’t touch it unless you absolutely have to.

Contingency funds aren’t only for problem resolution. They can also be used for happy discoveries during design and construction. These eureka moments give you more flexibility to enhance your home’s design. When construction is complete, use any leftover funds to reward yourself by splurging on something special for your new home.

2. Waiting to Hire Your Build Team

Hiring a builder as early in the design process as possible (the design-build method) can save a lot of money and frustration. If you’re planning to work with an interior designer, we recommend hiring them early, too.

Material costs are constantly changing, and a builder offers crucial visibility into what’s happening in the marketplace for material and labor. They can provide early cost estimates during Programming or Schematic Design. Think of it as a temperature check to be sure what you want can be built within your budget. Your home’s design is still flexible early in the process when it is easier and less costly to make changes.

3. Jumping In Without Clear Project Goals

You’re excited and want to start your home remodel yesterday. But if you don’t have clear goals in mind or can’t voice what problems you want to solve, the design process may be harder than it needs to be. This common home renovation mistake often results in a design that doesn’t meet your needs and requires major (and expensive) changes to make right.

Knowing how you want to live in your remodeled home – your goals and priorities – will create a better Program and design. This may mean living in your older home for months or even years before starting your project. Or you may have recently purchased the home and the needed improvements are obvious. Every situation is different, but the bottom line: share your “why” with your architect from the get-go.

4. Not Trusting Your Architect

Trust is essential to a productive client-architect relationship. Without it, the architectural design process is harder and more stressful, and the home design often suffers as a result.

Chances are your architect has seen it all when it comes to home renovation and remodeling. This is a good thing! Their experience and expertise allow them to creatively problem-solve and suggest design opportunities that may improve upon the original project vision.

Ready to hire an architect? Be sure you ask these questions first.

5. Adding Too Many Design Trends

The lure of home design trends can be hard to resist. But with trends, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Incorporating too many trends popular on social media and HGTV will create a home that looks outdated too soon. Instead, focus on timeless design principles with staying power you will enjoy for many years. Your architect can offer guidance on how to integrate specific trends and features that can be reasonably updated as your preferences change.

6. Assuming the Design Is Static

Home remodeling projects are different from new builds because you’re not working from a blank canvas. Meaning, your architect must consider the existing structure which may impact the final design. As a result, remodeling design is fluid and may have to change if project constraints come up.

A large part of remodeling is discovering what is already there (materials, structure, construction methods) to determine the best way forward. Many older homes in particular were constructed with certain materials and methods we no longer use today. Sometimes exploratory demolition is necessary to determine what is going on behind the walls and beneath the floors. Having an architect and builder experienced in remodels ensures your home meets your design needs and is structurally sound.

7. Skipping a Frequently Used Room

Remodels require a large investment of time and money. Skipping a room or two to save on budget now may cause regret later. Frequently used rooms should almost always be included in your home renovation plans — the kitchen, primary suite, and any bathroom. You will notice these functional spaces every day, so they may become a source of frustration. You’re already making an investment in your future happiness, so don’t stop short in creating the home you really want.

8. Assuming You Have to Scrape and Rebuild

It’s natural to assume that if you have many major changes to make, a remodel no longer makes sense. Happily, clients are often surprised by how much a home can be reorganized and improved.

As architects, our approach is to first give the existing house a chance to understand if and how it can accommodate a new design. But deciding whether to remodel or scrape often depends on several factors. Depending on the situation, sometimes a remodel is the best course of action, but sometimes it isn’t. Your architect will help you weigh the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Start Your Home Remodel Right

An architect experienced in home remodeling and renovation will help you avoid these common project pitfalls. Creating a home you’ll love starts with trusting your team and the design-build process. Get in touch for a complimentary consultation and to discuss your home remodeling project.