We’ve all heard the renovation horror stories, and they can certainly begin to make us feel a little apprehensive about beginning our own projects. The good news is, there are some fairly common reasons why renovations fail. By examining these reasons a bit deeper, you can better avoid them in your own Southern Maryland renovation project. Here’s what to look out for:

Not Enough Research

For a renovation to be successful, it requires a good amount of research. Settling on \ design inspiration, selecting all the details — and most importantly — who’s going to be doing the work. Choosing a contractor without really vetting them can lead to major challenges throughout the renovation process. You can avoid those challenges by doing your research. Search onliine, ask friends and family, and then interview your top choices before moving forward.

Poor Communication

Once the renovation is in progress, it’s so important to try to stay in touch with your contractor, designer, and anyone else who might be involved in the project. When communication starts out poorly, it often stays that way. This mistake can lead to frustrated homeowners and strained relationships with their contractors. Let your contractor know how you prefer to communicate and what kinds of updates you want to receive. If you have questions along the way, do not hesitate to start a conversation. The more open the lines of communication, the better.

Unclear Expectations

One of the most important things you’ll be communicating with your contractor about is your expectations. This means you need to get clear with them yourself first. When homeowners fail to do this, they can’t share those expectations with their contractor, and they can wind up with results that they’re unhappy with. So first, get clear on your own expectations for the project. Then, talk with your contractor. You may need to adjust some of these based on what’s possible or in budget, so be prepared for some dialogue.

Not Sticking to Your Budget

Finally, a major renovation mistake and regret is failing to stick to a budget. This is why it’s so important for homeowners to spend some time building this out before jumping into the reno process. It’s wise to give yourself a range and set a ceiling that is your true max. While you’ll try to come in under that ceiling, you’ll at least have a clear guide to keep you from pouring money you don’t have into a renovation. It’s very important to discuss budget with your contractor and to leave room in your budget for the unexpected. While unexpected expenses can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars and can be difficult to plan for, considering this when you set your budget range can help you manage these challenges if and when they arise.

 

If you’d like a recommendation for an experienced, reliable local contractor, please reach out. I’d be happy to help.