You want to remodel your house, but you don’t want to spend a fortune doing it. It’s understandable, and luckily, others have come before you so you don’t have to learn the hard lessons yourself. There are eleven mistakes you must avoid when doing a DIY remodel on your house.
1. Putting In Something That’s Already Outdated
The last thing you want to do is spend time and money putting in a feature that won’t offer a return on the investment. Do your research to make sure the changes you’re adding are still in style.
2. Taking On A DIY You Can’t Handle
You can DIY a lot, but you can’t DIY everything. Taking on a project you aren’t qualified to do can land you in debt, and with a dangerous addition to your home. You can put in new tile flooring yourself, but leave the roof repairs to professionals like Kansas City roofing contractors.
3. Rushing Through The Job
DIY home remodels can take a day, or they can take weeks. It’s tempting to rush to get it done, but don’t fall into that trap. Rushing leads to poor workmanship, which leads to doing it again much sooner than planned.
4. Not Making A Clear Plan
Starting your remodel with a clearly defined plan can save you time and money. Make a list of exactly what you want to do, how you want to do it, and when it should be done. It’s best to write the plan down and refer back often.
5. Forgetting About The Outdoors
You planned a gorgeous remodel for your house. The inside will look stunning when it’s done, but what about the outside? It’s the first place people see, and it can set the mood for a home. Take the time to spruce up your yard or patio to achieve the perfect outdoor space.
6. Doing Too Much On Your Own
DIY may stand for “do it yourself,” but that doesn’t have to mean doing it alone. Enlist help from your family and friends so you don’t get overwhelmed, or worse, injured, during the process.
7. Causing Structural Damage
This one is a giant No-No. If you’re thinking about taking down a wall or staircase, get a professional opinion first. If you accidentally remove something load-bearing, you could compromise the entire structure of the house.
8. Neglecting To Make A Budget
One of the most common mistakes people make when starting a DIY remodel is neglecting to make a budget. You need to know what you have to spend and what you’re spending it on, or you’ll end up with a massive bill. The traditional rules of making a budget apply, so sit down and write one.
9. Forgetting To Communicate
People can’t help you if they don’t know what your end goal is. Communicate your overall plan at the beginning and keep everyone aware of changes to the plan as they happen.
10. Not Considering Codes
Some changes to your home require getting permission to remain up to code. Make sure you have all your necessary approval forms and permits. If you do the work and it isn’t up to code, you may not be able to sell your home or have it properly insured.
11. Failing To Notify The Neighbors
Don’t forget to let your neighbors know if you’ll be making lots of noise. It can be startling to hear machinery at 11 AM and have no idea what’s going on. Letting them know will, hopefully, keep you on their good side during your remodel.
Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, you can take on a DIY remodel with confidence.