Common mistakes of renovating
Now that you know some of the pros and cons of DIY and hiring a professional contractor, as well as some areas where you might pick one or the other, it’s time to make your decision. Whichever route you end up going, the work is just beginning. Make sure to avoid these common mistakes as your home renovation project gets underway.
Not sticking to the budget
This can happen with DIY or a professional contractor. Before your project begins, set a budget. You may want to add a bit of cushion to your ideal number, but work diligently to ensure things don’t go over that budget.
If you’re opting for DIY renovation, consider all of the costs beforehand. That means tools, materials, paint and anything else you may need.
On the other hand, a professional contractor may, for example, refinish hardwood floors in a few rooms, and then try to upsell you, offering to remove the carpet in the living room and bedrooms, too. Be firm and don’t get talked into something you didn’t budget for.
Not knowing who you’re hiring
Think about any major purchase you’ve made. You didn’t just jump at the first choice that came along, did you? Of course not. You spent time researching your options, looking into the details and weighing the various pros and cons. Do the same with any professional contractors you’re looking to hire.
Check out websites of your potential contractors, and look for reviews online. Joining sites like Nextdoor can offer nice word-of-mouth recommendations, and most folks on there are usually willing to provide information for their fellow neighbors. It also doesn’t hurt to contact contractors directly. Get a sense of their work style, hear a quote, and ask any lingering questions.
Overestimating or underestimating the scope of work
Both of these can be costly in their own ways. If you overestimate a DIY project, for instance, you may end up buying things you ultimately don’t need, spending more money than you had to. Meanwhile, if you underestimate the work needed for a professional renovation, you’ll probably get a rude awakening when you look at the final invoice.
Underestimating scope of work can also happen on a DIY project. You think you have everything you need for a nice weekend renovation, and then realize it’s going to take a few more tools. If the hardware store is already closed, that project is now dipping into the week or the following weekend. And if the room you’re working on is unusable, that’s now introducing an inconvenience into your daily life.
Losing track of your vision
If you’re working with a contractor, you should lay out your expectations for the project. However, if things get delayed or altered, you might end up having a conversation with them about the best path forward. Their vision may differ from yours, so try to stick with what you had in mind as best as you can.
Conversely, a DIY project can quickly turn sideways. Bigger isn’t always better, and what started as a simple fix could end up looking completely different if you allow yourself to get off track.