When it comes to home renovation there is no wrong way to do it, but avoiding these three mistakes will surely save you time and money as you improve on your home, sweet home.
Paying the cost out of pocket, instead of seeking out home improvement financing options
The biggest mistake that home owners make with home improvement is paying the cost out of pocket. Home improvement is an investment in your most precious asset, but paying out of pocket for home improvement is a costly expense. As a homeowner, it is important to know that there are home improvement financing options for projects. Even if your credit is below average, you may still qualify for home improvement financing options.
Not hiring an expert for work that will last a lifetime
Not hiring an expert is the second biggest mistake homeowners make when taking on home improvement projects. Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters and other skills professions should be done by experienced professionals only. Any short term savings experienced by paying “Uncle Bob” to wire and install the chandelier in the family room, are sure to be wiped out when the fixture comes crashing down.
Your home is the sanctuary for you and your family, keep it safe during and after the home improvement process by hiring a licensed professional with insurance and reviews. Thumbtack, Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor are reputable networks for finding independent contractors for home improvement labor. By hiring experienced contractors, you’ll rest with ease knowing the job was done right.
Only shopping online for important pieces of the job
Shopping online is the third most common mistake home owners make when renovating. Purchasing fixtures like faucets, flooring and lighting should always be done in person. By shopping in person, you can avoid the nightmare of receiving fixtures that were damaged or destroyed in the mail. Also, by shopping in person you get the opportunity to touch and experience potential colors, textures, sizes and parts and test them for design and durability.
Shopping online is a two-dimensional experience, and product descriptions can be difficult to bring to life. The entire experience is time consuming and is an extremely impersonal approach to your home renovation process. Take the time to go to your local hardware store and talk to the staff about your vision. Many employees that work in home improvement supply stores have experience as contractors and can advise on the best material, parts, and sizes for fixtures based your specific desires.