4 Home Remodeling Mistakes To Avoid
Don’t make these home remodeling mistakes!
Starting a home remodeling project is an exciting endeavor, unfortunately, some pitfalls can get in the way of your project staying on budget and schedule.
These pitfalls present themselves in the form of small choices you make long before a contractor starts getting their hands dirty. The results of these choices end up costing you substantial time and money, which you and both know is not what you want in a remodeling project.
So I’ve decided to share the 4 most common mistakes homeowners make during a remodeling project so that you can avoid them at all costs and sail smoothly into the sunset of success.
Let’s talk about them!
1. Don’t hire a project manager.
If you want your remodeling project to fail, don’t hire a project manager. This is the number one mistake I see homeowners make with remodeling projects. Instead of hiring a project manager, they take on the role themselves hoping it will save them a few bucks in the process.
What they don’t see is all the logistics, time, and energy it costs them to play project manager, which causes more confusion than clarity. When it’s all said and done, they throw in the towel because it becomes too much to handle, leaving them with a half-demolished kitchen and a broken budget.
I don’t want this to happen to your remodeling project which is why I can’t emphasize enough the importance of hiring a project manager. By doing so, you guarantee that someone is constantly monitoring your project and making sure that all the moving pieces are working together in perfect harmony.
By the way, I can’t say enough good things about our project manager, John, he’s the reason our clients walk away from projects with an ear-to-ear smile.
2. Don't plan anything.
How does the famous saying go? “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” I couldn’t agree more with this statement.
Planning is the crux of all remodeling projects. Whether you’re doing a minor facelift or a major kitchen overhaul, a plan determines direction and decision-making. Without planning, you are left in the dark wondering what happens next.
That’s why it’s critical to work with a licensed remodeling contractor with a proven history of successful projects. Chances are if they’ve been executing great projects they prioritize planning, ensuring you know exactly what is happening and when.
At Franco Builds, we start every single project with a comprehensive plan that includes a timeline, budget, materials, important dates, points of contact, and weekly updates. In my experience as a licensed remodeling contractor, I’ve found that the more we plan with our clients, the more aligned we are throughout a project, resulting in a successful build from start to finish that stays within budget.
3. Don’t make any selections.
Selections are imperative during the remodeling process, especially when it comes to kitchens. There are tons of selections to be made before your contractor can start the project, which is why it’s so important to get them taken care of long before any hammers swing. Failure to make selections forces your contractor to pause their work and wait for your feedback, inevitably dragging out the timeline of the project.
In our world, we prioritize selection early in the design process, making sure that each paint swab, tile sample, countertop, knobs, fixtures, and cabinets are accounted for. This ensures that both you as a homeowner and we as a team are on the same page before we get down to business.
4. Don’t source any materials.
Sourcing materials for a remodel can be a daunting task. Part of the problem is the lack of materials contractors have access to.
We saw the impact during the pandemic when major construction suppliers worldwide couldn’t meet the demands of homeowners eager to start a build or remodel—it was pure chaos. Since then, the industry has regained some balance, but it’s still a challenge to get what you want when you want it. That’s why it’s crucial to source your materials early when starting a remodeling project. The earlier you begin sourcing materials, the better the chance they arrive on time for installation, keeping you on schedule for your project.
The last thing you want as a homeowner is a perfectly remodeled kitchen missing a countertop for 3 months because you waited to order it until the last minute. That’s why we focus on making selections and immediately ordering materials as soon as our client approves them. This ensures that we get what we need and can stay on budget and schedule throughout the project.
Avoid these remodeling mistakes and your project will turn out great!
There you have it—4 mistakes to avoid in your next home remodeling project. Steer clear of these pitfalls and I promise your project will stay on time and budget.
On that note, our team at Franco Building & Remodeling is committed to delivering a hassle-free home remodeling experience. If you’re ready to start a project, head over to our project inquiries page and tell us more about your dream home.