1. Poor Planning

The number one reason why a remodel project fails? Poor planning. When remodelling, it’s extremely important to plan ahead. For everything. 

Have an agreed design before your project gets started and try not to make too many changes once work begins. This will ensure accurate pricing from the contractor, and you will know all your costs upfront.

On the subject of pricing, always have a contingency in place. If the contractor has quoted $50,000 for the work, always allow for at least 10% on top of this. If you can put aside more for any unforeseen work, delays, or material increases, the better secured you will be throughout the project.

2. Unrealistic Expectations

Home improvement shows and social media influencers have shown how “easy” it is to complete a home remodel. This is setting unrealistic expectations for the whole process. There’s often a misrepresentation of costs, timelines, and ease. 

It’s important to have realistic expectations from the outset. A remodel isn’t as simple as moving out of the house for a week; it can take months or years to fully complete a remodel, depending on the scale of the project.

Researching and planning the project ahead of time will save you time and money in the long run. We also recommend homeowners speak to a few professionals in the field before breaking ground, as they will give you a realistic approach to what you’re trying to achieve.

3. Hiring Cheap Help

I get it – you want to save as much money as possible across the project. But hiring cheap help can often end up costing more in the long run. 

“Contractors” who are cheap are often unreliable and take shortcuts with few exceptions. You often get what you pay for. 

I’ve come into a home after work has been done and been appalled by how various projects were approached. A shower without waterproofing will fail, flooring not laid correctly will deteriorate or pull up, and lighting not wired correctly can cause electrical issues. 

Your home needs to be built to code. Hiring cheap help is irresponsible and sets you up for issues down the road.

4. Spending Too Much

Yes, this sounds counterintuitive, but I often see people spending too much on the wrong things or in the wrong areas of their project. 

Invest where there is maximum value, but do your research to see where spending more means higher quality. At our design firm, we focus on maximizing value. That means different things to each client we serve, and we shine at extracting this information. The result is a space our clients love.

5. Ignoring Codes and Permits

Ignoring local codes and permits is irresponsible for both a homeowner and a contractor. Your home needs to be built to safety standards. Codes and permits are in place to enforce this.

By ignoring codes and permits, you may be liable and have to pay a fine. This can be avoided by following local codes and permits from the very beginning of the project!