The 5 most common home renovation mistakes

The process of a home renovation is difficult. Many people put it off until it can't be postponed any longer. A plumbing leak, electrical faults, or even damp and worn wooden kitchen cabinets essentially leave no choice but to carry out work on our home. But mistakes during construction, and any failures that can occur during a building project, cost time, money and mental strain.

In this article, we list mistakes that our experience has taught us can happen when renovating a space, especially when many different trades are involved.

Mistake #1: Getting too many quotes and poor information

Getting a quote is very simple, and the easiest thing for an owner is to get many free quotes from different contractors and builders. Research has shown that you should meet up to 3–4 contractors for your home renovation and give them the same details and information about the works you want done. That way, once you receive the quotes, you can compare them and also trust the person who will carry out the project.

Once you have settled on an architectural design and chosen the construction company, the schedule of works is prepared together with the engineer in charge. This also allows the right materials to be ordered so they are delivered to the site in good time.

Perhaps the most important thing for an owner is the "interview" with the contractor. Personal communication is essential, as this is not a simple purchase made online.

Finally, it's worth noting that the lowest quote is, in most cases, almost impossible to deliver. The prices of materials and labour in an average renovation are the same. So a very low quote can carry risks, with additional charges later on.

Mistake #2: Wrong payment arrangements

From the start of the collaboration, the method of paying for the renovation works and materials should be agreed. That way the project will progress without delays or surprises for either party. Usually, an advance of around 20–30% of the budget is paid, followed by further payments as the project progresses.

Mistake #3: Changes

Changes during a renovation bring additional works and costs. That's why, from your first appointment with the engineer in charge, you should ask lots of questions and express your needs and wishes, so the works are planned correctly. The budget is locked in, you aren't left dissatisfied and the project stays on schedule.

For example, if you decide you want more sockets in the living room while the project is at the wall-skimming stage, bear in mind that chasing the walls will create patches. These will need to be filled with plaster, which can dirty and/or damage materials already installed (filler, and possibly tiles and wooden surfaces already laid on the floors, and so on).

Mistake #4: Going over budget

When you want to carry out a home renovation, keep in mind that you should not exceed the available budget you have planned for the whole project. It often happens that a specific cost has been budgeted for sanitary ware or tiles, but after a visit to a showroom you change your mind – resulting in stress and possible disputes with the contractor.

Mistake #5: Planning violations

In a renovation project, beyond stripping out a bathroom or kitchen, many owners ask to intervene either in elements of the load-bearing structure (e.g. opening a hole in a slab to create a maisonette) or in external window frames (e.g. changing dimensions, new frames). Such interventions, however, require a permit from the local building authority.

IG Constructions has the experience and know-how in home renovation and can fully inform its clients. We bring innovative ideas to remodelling projects, exceeding owners' expectations.