A home renovation is a big task. However, deciding to do your own home renovation is another beast entirely. You need to learn about different materials, power tools, building techniques, and so much more. You can save a lot of money in the long run and revel in the finished product. The risk of slip-ups is much higher if you don’t have construction or DIY experience.
Not only can this be inconvenient, but any delays can be costly, and put a halt on other aspects of your renovation.
Here are a few mistakes to avoid when renovating your own home.
Not enough research
Research is absolutely essential. Sitting down with a laptop and notepad might not be what you had in mind for a home renovation. However, research can save you a lot of time, money and effort. You need to research the materials you could use and how much they will cost. Also research durability and suitability, as you want to ensure that your renovation is of high quality and uses the correct materials.
You also need to learn about the different power tools available and how to use them. You might need to research a few construction starter courses to get yourself up to speed. Spend some time researching health and safety as well. Renovation projects can be dangerous in the initial stages – and you need to wear the appropriate PPE, this includes gloves, masks and safety goggles to keep everyone safe.
Unmeasured plans
Learn how to measure a space accurately and correctly. You will waste a lot of money if you get the measurements wrong for the windows, doors, kitchen benches and much more. Double-check your measurements and ask someone else to check them.
You also need to measure how much time a project will take. You need to coordinate different elements of the project and order materials to align with these deadlines. You need to estimate how long it will take to build the initial renovation and fit it with electrics and plumbing. We recommend that you contact an expert to get their best advice and opinion. This may help you understand certain aspects of the renovation and consider things you might have not even thought of before! There is a lot to consider with complex renovations.
Unrealistic time frames
On that note, unrealistic time frames are one of the biggest mistakes you can make with a renovation project. You need to leave enough time for the materials to arrive and for you to fit them. Remember to plan accordingly for this, as it will take you much longer to do the renovation than a construction team. Also try to plan for any unexpected delays, perhaps create a plan B to fall back on when something is late or not going to plan.
Ignoring planning permission rules
You can’t ignore your local authority and their planning permission rules. You should apply for planning permission before you start work on the property. Get the paperwork out of the way so you can focus on the task at hand. This will make the process much more enjoyable once you do not need to think about authorisation.
Do not ignore planning permission regulations so you can get started sooner. You could get into a lot of trouble later down the line. You might even have to stop work on your renovation.
Electric and plumbing mishaps
Electric and plumbing work can get a little tricky. Have a generator on standby in case you cut through an important wire and can’t get the lights back on.
This is especially important if you ae planning to do these renovations and you have young children or look after elderly family members who rely heavily on electricity and running water.
Make use of your DIY skills and renovate your home yourself.
