5 Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

No matter how big or small your renovation project, there are definitely some things to consider to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. To help you stay on track, we’ve put together our top 5 renovation mistakes to avoid.

Not Planning Properly

The old saying ‘if you fail to plan, then plan to fail’ definitely rings true for home renovations. If you don’t take the time to plan your renovation properly, you can be left with costly mistakes. Here are a few things to consider before beginning any renovation project:

• If you’re looking to sell in the near future, will the renovations add value? Or are you over capitalising on your investment? It pays to keep an eye on the local market to see what buyers are looking for.
• Do you need planning permission for any renovation works? Be sure to check with your local council before you start knocking down walls.
• Renovations of any size will cause some disruption – especially kitchen, bathroom or laundry renovations that take place in high-traffic areas. Be sure to have a plan in place to help ensure there’s as little impact on your day-to-day activities as possible.
• Make sure to consider the architectural style of your home before making any updates. This will help to keep the flow of your home  consistent and add long-term value.
• Ensure that who you engage to do your renovations provides you with a renovation schedule, so you know the times that trades will be coming and going and a completion date for your project to plan around and hold them accountable.

Not Setting a Realistic Budget

Setting a budget and sticking to it is crucial. Without having an idea of numbers, your costs can quickly blow out. Here are some things to consider when setting a realistic budget:

• Divide your project into ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’. For example, you might crave a modern dressing room, but your budget will only stretch to a walk-in wardrobe. Prioritising your needs will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
• View a detailed cost breakdown of the renovation project to see where your money is going.
• Track your costs on a spreadsheet along the journey.
• Try to keep a contingency buffer of 10% to 20% of the total budget costs, in case of emergencies.

Going for Trendy, Not Quality

It’s oh-so easy to fall in love with new trends and visualise them in your home. But it’s equally important to remember that trends come and go – but style lasts forever.
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to materials, either. By investing in the best products, finishes and materials you can afford, you can help to lower the cost of ongoing maintenance, add value, and put functionality at the centre.

Taking on Too Much at Once

Even the best-run renovation projects will come with added stress. By taking on too much at once, you can easily become overwhelmed, overlook important design considerations, or make mistakes that can take time and money to repair.

• Create a timeline of goals you need to achieve. This includes setting aside time for preparation of the space, storage of items, and setting up pop-up areas to use while rooms are being renovated (such as food preparation areas outside of the kitchen).
• Break your big to-do list down into smaller, manageable tasks that will give you a feeling of accomplishment when you tick them off.
• Schedule your renovation in stages to give you breathing room between projects.
• Take progress photos of your building or design works to help keep yourself motivated and see how far your home has come.

Prioritising form Over Function

Finally, it’s important to make sure your new home cinema, classic dressing room, kitchen or home office looks good. And there’s nothing more fun than choosing paint colours, accessories, furniture and all the other things that can tie a room together.

But, before you get to the aesthetics of your new space, be sure to consider the functionality. By taking time to consider how things work (like style of cabinets in the kitchen, storage space in your built-in wardrobes, the placement of lighting, etc), you can make sure each room functions as well as it looks.

At Flexi, we’re ready to help you achieve all your home renovation goals. From Joondalup, Perth northern suburbs, Myaree, Fremantle and beyond, we’ve helped many homeowners bring their ideas to life. From wardrobe installation Perth, to reimagining kitchens, laundries, and home offices, we’ve done it all. To find out more, speak to our team today.