5 Common Home Refurbishment Pitfalls and Strategies to Evade Them

Home refurbishments typically stem from a positive mindset, aiming to elevate a property's value and improve its atmosphere. Thus, this process should ideally be a cheerful journey filled with optimism. However, the lack of careful planning can often convert these virtuous aims into missteps that create more hindrances than joy.

Luckily, you don’t need to possess prophetic abilities to tread this path. With a bit of strategic planning, you can undertake home refurbishments with assuredness, enthusiasm and a certain comfort knowing you're on the route to success.

Hence, to ease some of the anticipated tension, we’ve explored the path of home remodelling to identify five renovation pitfalls you can sidestep…

CREATING A BUDGET, BUT NOT ADHERING TO IT

When sprucing up your home's appearance, it can sometimes be tempting to overlook the financial aspect and impulsively overspend. Yet, by setting a budget and staying within its boundaries, you're more likely to preserve a positive perspective on your home refurbishment project and dodge any unforeseen financial setbacks or surprising obstacles along the way.

Therefore, after grasping the costs (discussed further below), we advise diligently sticking to your budget to ensure your home refurbishment continues to be an uplifting venture and not a regretful memory.

MISJUDGING THE EXPENSE OF YOUR RENOVATION

Apart from adhering to your budget, it’s vital not to underestimate renovation costs. Home refurbishment expenses can fluctuate between roughly £10,000 to over £50,000, contingent on the extent of renovation needed and the size of your property.

The largest cost variables are labour and material expenses which can differ based on your location, property size, and renovation complexity. For instance, modifying a home's layout is significantly more costly compared to a simple aesthetic update. Perhaps you only require a cosmetic makeover instead of a full-blown home revamp. Keep in mind, refurbishing your home’s flooring will also inflate your budget as this is one of the priciest components to replace.

EMBARKING ON A DIY PROJECT INSTEAD OF EMPLOYING EXPERTS

Although it may seem appealing to save some money by taking on a home refurbishment project yourself, there are countless reasons why hiring specialised professionals is the more prudent choice.

Licensed tradespeople come equipped with valuable home refurbishment expertise, thus, they can predict any unexpected issues. Moreover, choosing a company specialising in home refurbishments means they can handle all the strenuous tasks so you don't have to.

Furthermore, attempting a DIY approach could potentially be risky and even illegal, especially when it comes to electrical and plumbing work. In fact, it might end up costing you more to fix any mistakes made in an attempt to save money. Hiring registered companies or licensed tradespeople offers peace of mind, thanks to the insurances involved. If something goes awry, parts can be replaced or corrected at no additional cost due to their comprehensive understanding of the Water Supply Regulations.

BUYING CHEAP FITTINGS AND FIXTURES

As the old adage goes, 'you get what you pay for'. Opting for cheaper alternatives now could lead to higher expenses in the future. Hence, it’s crucial to invest in quality fittings and fixtures for your home refurbishment, particularly for products that endure regular wear and tear. The best products often come with competitive warranties, ensuring the quality of your purchase. Plus, premium products that guarantee functionality and durability tend to look more appealing.

NEGLECTING TO SEEK ADVICE FROM A DESIGNER

While it can be enticing to let your creative juices flow unbridled, acquiring expert advice for your home refurbishment is usually the best method to ensure a pleasing and cohesive interior design aesthetic.

For this reason, it's always a sound idea to engage with a team of experts. We provide a free design consultation to help realise your dream home refurbishment. Our amicable team will nurture your inspiration by paying attention to your renovation plans and offering the best advice to turn those interior design aspirations into reality. They will guide you in selecting the ideal fixtures and fittings for your home refurbishment.