Your Dream Home Takes Work: 11 Renovation Lessons to Know Upfront

Author photo of a client renovation

One of the benefits of home renovation reality TV shows is that they have sparked interest in updating older homes. One of the curses of these TV shows is that they don’t show the everyday realities of renovations. Usually, the homeowners move out, and when they return, their house is completely remodeled, often including new furniture. Remodeling a home, especially an older home, isn’t quite what you see on TV. Here are more tips to guide you through a home renovation project:

1. Not budgeting properly. Your general contractor will provide you with an estimate and you should carefully review it to ensure that all costs associated with your work are included. However, emergencies occur. Maybe you have mold behind the walls in your bathroom, or a pipe unexpectedly bursts. It’s best to have a slush fund for emergencies. 

2. Your budget is also important, especially if you make major changes after the work has started. Maybe you decide you want a wall removed, or you need to have your kitchen replumbed due to an unexpected leak. Some homeowner decisions are optional, like removing a wall, but others are necessary, like replumbing a kitchen. A slush fund will help you make the important and necessary upgrades, and it will allow you to have optional changes as well. 

3. Failure to consider the home’s age. This goes with the previous two mistakes. Older homes that haven’t been updated will most likely need a new electrical panel box. Why? Because the current electrical load and demand cannot be handled by an out-of-date electrical panel. Even if your older home was updated 30 or 40 years ago, your electrical panel may not handle our current electrical demands. 

4. Another issue with older homes is asbestos and lead-based paint. Homes built before 1980, especially those that haven’t been remodeled in the last 25 years, may have asbestos in the ceilings and floors and lead-based paint. You might have to hire an asbestos testing company, and if you have it, an asbestos removal or abatement company. Lead-based paint can be scraped and removed, which is expensive but might give you peace of mind. Your general contractor can also perform Encapsulation, which involves covering the lead paint with a special sealant or coating that seals the lead-based paint behind a barrier, preventing the release of harmful lead dust. Encapsulants can be polymer-based, epoxy, or polyurethane, or made with cement-like materials. Another option is Enclosure: This method involves covering the lead paint with a new surface, like drywall or vinyl, effectively creating a barrier between the lead paint and the environment. This is a relatively easy solution as it doesn't require removing the original paint. 

5. A contractor who ignores site safety. Understandably, a contractor and their crew will make a mess during their workday, but a quality contractor will clean up the mess and put tools away before leaving for the day, especially if you’re still living in your home. Failure to clean up is a warning sign that your contractor doesn’t take safety seriously.

6. Energy-efficient options are available, and you and your contractor should look at ways to make your home more energy efficient. This could include improved insulation, a tankless water heater, or better windows and doors. Any of these can improve your carbon footprint and lower your energy costs. 

7. Some homeowners don’t plan for their renovation, meaning placing orders for tile, flooring, cabinetry, or doors and windows, in a timely fashion. These materials can take a while to arrive, so it’s best to place those orders as soon as you’ve chosen them. Currently, general contractors and home renovators are experiencing delays with some products, and other delays, like weather, can push your timeline back a few days to a week or more. Have realistic expectations as well; your general contractor never knows what to fully expect during a renovation, especially with an older home. Your home might need unanticipated repairs.

8. Along with planning for their renovation, homeowners (and sometimes general contractors) can underestimate the timeline. Ask for a timeline from your general contractor but then add a week. Practice your patience as well. Home renovation reality shows make it seem like a renovation can take mere days to complete, but reality is much different. Finishing a renovation depends on the timeliness of materials; weather, such as extreme weather like a blizzard or a hurricane, for example, can delay a project; the number of laborers, and supplies. Be patient. 

9. It’s tempting to save costs by using less expensive materials, but don’t give in to temptation!  Why not? Less expensive materials mean less quality, which means they wear out faster or don’t fit well in the first place. They might initially look good, but over time, you’ll find yourself replacing those same materials again. Instead, invest in mold-resistant drywall, for example, in your bathroom. Choose tiles, countertops, and flooring based on durability and maintenance, not just on price.

10. You and your general contractor should determine your best methods of communication: call, text, email? How often will the two of you talk? If you call and leave a message, how soon can you expect a return phone call from your general contractor: up to 24 hours? Within two hours? It will put your mind at ease to know how and when you will communicate.

And lastly,

11. Don’t ignore the future resale value of your home. You’re investing in your home and your comfort with your remodel, but you should take into account whether your renovation will help or hurt the resale value of your house. Kitchen and bathroom improvements can help your home’s resale value. This is also true of lighting and energy-efficient improvements, like windows and doors. However, other renovations may not help with resale, renovations like garage conversion, as many prospective homeowners prefer garages. Or oversized additions might not be as desirable if they don't integrate well with the existing home or if they exceed the needs of the typical buyer. 

A home renovation can be difficult and rewarding; you see your dream become a reality. It’s best, though, to go into a home renovation with an understanding of what it entails. It’s not like on television. With these tips, though, you will hopefully be better prepared for your home renovation.