How to avoid these five remodel regrets

Remodeling an apartment or house can give you a fantastic sense of satisfaction and pleasure over many years, but rarely is the complexity of the work anything less than a financial and logistical challenge.

A renovation will not only freshen up the experience of living in your existing property but help you build your personal wealth. When you remodel, you’re not just investing in a home but the future of the real estate market.

There are many motivations for undertaking a property upgrade. Perhaps you’re thinking of selling and want to maximize the value of your home, or you’ve just bought a fixer-upper and it’s time to roll the sleeves up.

As an experienced agent in our neighborhood, I often speak with clients who have gone through the experience, and their feedback is instructive.

I’ve turned their best advice, experience and regrets into hints and tips for anyone planning a remodel. Here are some regrets to avoid. 

  1. Should have planned more – Owners think about a large-scale project for up to two years. And once they find a contractor they like, they can’t wait to get going. This need for speed pushes aside sensible discussion and planning. This lack of diligence eventually hits the work schedule, and projects go off the track. Create a plan and stick to it. 
  2. Needed an expert – Sometimes, we can overestimate our DIY skills. As an agent who walks through thousands of properties, I’m afraid it’s easy to spot the properties subjected to DIY best efforts. Unless you’re a DIY rock star and perfectionist, doing things cheaply will likely affect the value of your home.
  3. I got the wrong guy – Tales of woe about hiring the wrong contractor could go on forever. Take your time with your choice. Always get three quotes aligned to the same brief. Ask for their licenses, insurances and contacts for clients from whom you can seek references. 
  4. Didn’t prioritize design – Some will say design is everything. If it doesn’t look great, feel great and work in terms of flow, you’ll never be happy with the result. Finding a designer can be essential. Yes, it adds to the cost, but focus on the value when talking with architects and designers.
  5. It’s a bit ‘meh’ – So you went through all the work, expense and stress, and you didn’t get what you wanted. You’d be amazed how many times this happens. If you’re working on your forever-home, then you must be across every detail and how it will achieve your dream. Nothing less will make you happy.