Upgrading your home should be a fun and exciting thing to do. You’ve likely thought a lot about what you want your home to look like, built a Pinterest board, and made many lists.
Unfortunately, the other side of a home renovation can be a difficult one. Home upgrades can cost a lot of money, take a lot of time, and more often than not, there can be unforeseen circumstances that throw a spanner in the works. It can be vital to your journey to understand what some of these challenging circumstances are, so that you can plan to avoid them. If you don’t, then you are setting yourself up for failure, and that is the last thing you want.
To help you plan, prepare, and execute a successful home upgrade project, here are some of the biggest and costliest mistakes that you need to know and avoid.
Not planning or prioritising
A very costly mistake that you need to avoid right at the beginning of your home upgrade project is not planning properly or at all, or prioritising the work that needs to be completed. This will only lead to health and safety issues, incomplete projects, budget and timeline overruns, structural problems, and legal/regulatory issues. This is because a lack of planning means that details get overlooked, funds are mismanaged, and work might need to be redone.
Make sure, before you start any project, regardless of how big or small it is, that you create a detailed plan informed by research. Include a realistic budget, timeline, and contingency plan. Make sure you carefully select who you work with, and include research and rules that need to be followed to remain legally compliant with your project.
Underestimating the budget and time
Underestimating budget and time is one of the biggest and most costly mistakes that you can make when it comes to upgrading your home. Home projects cost a lot of money, especially with the state of the economy right now, even just materials and labour cost a fortune to acquire. Unexpected expenses are inevitable in any home project. You need to conduct thorough research to learn the specific costs for your project so you do not underestimate these, in addition to giving yourself an emergency fund to dip into. You should only go ahead with the project when your finances are stable, you have the right funds, and more. This should all be separate from your living funds and personal emergency funds. You do not want to put yourself into debt unexpectedly. This will help reduce the stress of your home upgrade project and ensure it is more enjoyable, runs smoothly, and reduces any risks.
The timeline of the project is also important, as if this is miscalculated, it is going to put everything else on the project back, which can cause issues, risk, and cost more to make fixes and pay contractors for more than they expected. That is, even if they are still available and have not got another job, they need to attend.
Not considering functionality
The functionality of your home is crucial. Many people make upgrades to their homes that are purely aesthetic. While there is nothing wrong with that, and it should be something that you consider, it will be a costly mistake to neglect the functionality of your home at the same time. If you do this, you risk undoing your hard work or coming up against problems later down the line. While planning your home upgrade project, consider what your home might need to function properly and meet your family’s needs.
Not thinking about your long-term goals
Similar to the functionality of your home, it is vital that you not only consider what you want and need in a property now, but also what you may want or need in the future. A home upgrade project is not easy, cheap, or quick to complete. Thinking about your long term goals will help to avoid having to go through the long, complicated, and costly process again within 10-15 years.
Investing too much in trends
Trends are excellent for inspiration and new ideas when upgrading your home. However, this can be a costly mistake if you don’t consider the longevity and functionality of the trend. Ask yourself if you are still going to enjoy these upgrades in the future? Are these upgrades what you want? Leverage trends to help you upgrade your home, but make sure you consider what is practical for you and how you can customise them to your needs and wants.
Ignoring structure and systems
Home upgrades should include your home’s structure, electrical and plumbing system, windows and doors, air quality, and more. If you don’t, you are making a big and costly mistake. It is important that you conduct a review of your home’s foundation to ensure its structural integrity is intact. If it is not, then it is something you will need to prioritise for the safety of you and your family, before focusing on the design. Electrical wiring and plumbing needs to be checked to ensure it is in good working condition and will not cause you any issues in the near future. The quality of air in the home is often dismissed, which can lead to health issues for you and your family, which will cost you more than just money. Make sure your home upgrades include vital systems, such as the installation of a split system air conditioner to regulate the air quality and humidity in your home in a sustainable way. Ensure your home is adequately insulated, and all doors and windows are intact and free from draughts or warping.
Not getting planning permission
If you are changing big parts of your home, then it is important that you find out what planning permission or permits you may need to acquire. This will cost you a lot of time, money, and effort if you do not get these before you start any work.
Upgrading your home should be exciting. Follow these top mistakes to minimise risks and make the process smooth and stress-free.
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