Thinking about fixing up your home? Americans spent over $463 billion on home renovations in early 2024. Almost 40% of people ended up spending more than they planned because of extra costs and problems. Since 2020, the average cost for big upgrades has gone up 60%. Many projects now cost about $24,000.

Before starting your home renovation, keep in mind that even small mistakes can make a project much more expensive. Use these simple tips to save money and avoid stress during home renovation.

1. Not Planning Your Project Properly

Renovation planning tips start with one simple rule: never skip the planning phase. Poor planning causes most renovation failures. Too many homeowners start tearing down walls without thinking things through first.

Good planning means having detailed blueprints, making lists of all materials you need, figuring out realistic timelines, and checking what permits you need. Without a solid plan, you're just guessing and hoping for the best.

Your planning checklist should include:

Detailed measurements and blueprints
Local building codes and permit requirements
Realistic timelines with extra time built in
Clear ways to talk with contractors

The planning phase takes time, but it prevents way bigger problems later. Most renovation project mistakes happen because people rush this step.

2. Setting a Fake Budget

One of the biggest home remodeling mistakes is not being realistic about costs. About one in three renovation projects goes over budget because homeowners don't include everything or plan for surprises.

Kitchen renovations now cost around $24,000 on average. That is 20% more than just a few years ago. Your budget needs to cover materials, labor, permits, and an extra 15-20% for problems you didn't see coming.

Here's how to split your budget:

Materials: 40-45% of total money
Labor costs: 35-40% of total money
Permits and fees: 2-5% of total money
Emergency fund: 15-20% of total money

Get quotes from at least three contractors before you decide on your budget. This helps you understand what things really cost and spot any estimates that seem too good to be true.

Also Read: Transform Your Space: Easy Do-It-Yourself Projects for a Stylish Home

3. Picking the Wrong Contractor

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Home Renovation

Your contractor choice makes or breaks your whole project. Renovation experts say if you pick wrong, you could end up paying 10% to 40% more than you should.

Check contractors carefully; you should look at their license, insurance, references, and Better Business Bureau rating. A good contractor gives you detailed written estimates, has proper insurance, and talks to you clearly about everything.

Watch out for these red flags:

People who knock on your door or give super low bids
Anyone asking for all the money up front
No real business address or proper license
High-pressure sales tactics

Always talk to multiple contractors and ask to see their recent work. If possible, go look at houses they've finished to see the quality yourself.

4. Skipping Permits and Building Codes

Avoiding permits might seem like a good way to save time, but it creates big problems later. Building codes exist to keep you safe, and working without permits can hurt your home's value and mess up your insurance.

Most big renovations need permits for electrical work, plumbing changes, and structural modifications. Call your local building department early to find out what you need. Permits usually cost between $100 and $2,000, depending on your project size.

These projects almost always need permits:

Changing electrical systems
Moving or adding plumbing
Taking out walls
Adding rooms or changing room use
Installing new heating and cooling systems

Also Read: Low-Cost Home Improvement Upgrades

5. Being Wrong About How Long Things Take

Most homeowners think renovations will finish way faster than they actually do. A typical bathroom renovation takes 4-6 weeks, while kitchens often take 8-12 weeks or longer.

Delays happen because of permit processing, materials showing up late, bad weather, and surprise problems in your walls. Only 25% of construction projects finish close to their original timeline.

Make realistic schedules with extra time built in for each step. Order materials early and have backup plans for where to live during big disruptions.

6. Changing Structure Without Getting Help

Doing DIY projects can be risky, especially if you change important parts of your home. You should let experts move walls, change plumbing, or handle electrical wires. This helps keep your house safe and follows building rules.

Some walls help hold up your house. If you remove these walls without the right support, your home can be damaged. Always ask a structural engineer before making big changes, even if the job seems easy.

Never try to DIY these things:

Removing load-bearing walls
Big electrical panel upgrades
Gas line changes
Foundation work
Removing asbestos or lead paint

Getting professional help costs way less than fixing structural damage or safety problems later.

7. Only Caring About How Things Look

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Home Renovation

Renovations that look good but do not work well can waste a lot of money. Before you choose a design, think about how you use each space every day.

Kitchen islands may look nice, but they can make it hard to move around if your kitchen is small. Open floor plans are pretty, but they can take away space for storage and make rooms less private. Try to choose designs that are both nice and practical.

Remember these basics:

How people walk through the rooms each day
What storage you need in each room
What lighting you need for things you do
Where you want electrical outlets
What you need for heating and cooling

8. Buying Cheap Materials

Cheap materials can end up costing you more because they break and need to be replaced. You do not need the most expensive things, but it is better to buy good-quality basics like flooring, plumbing, and electrical items.

Spend a little more on things you use every day, like cabinet handles, faucets, and light switches. You can save money on things like paint, since you can change it easily later.

Where to spend more vs. less:

Spend more: Flooring, plumbing fixtures, big appliances, insulation
Spend less: Paint, cabinet hardware, decorations, window treatments

9. Trying Hard DIY Without Skills

More than 30% of people under 34 want to do DIY projects, but wanting to do something doesn't mean you can do it well. Complex work like electrical, plumbing, and structural changes needs professional skills and tools.

When doing home renovations yourself, only choose jobs that fit your skills and the time you have. Easy jobs like painting, basic carpentry, or yard work can help you save money. But it is important to know when to call a professional.

Good DIY projects are:

Painting walls
Getting surfaces ready
Installing shelves and simple fixtures
Gardening and yard work
Basic tile work in small areas

Call professionals for:

Electrical or plumbing work
Changing structures, like walls
Roofing or big outdoor projects
Installing heating or cooling systems

10. Not Planning for Life Disruption

Renovations mess up daily life more than most homeowners expect. Kitchen projects eliminate cooking, bathroom work affects morning routines, and dust gets everywhere.

Plan temporary solutions before work starts. Set up temporary kitchens, find other bathroom options, and protect your stuff from dust and mess. Think about staying somewhere else during major phases if your house becomes unlivable.

Ways to manage the chaos:

Seal work areas with plastic sheets
Set up temporary living spaces with basics you need
Plan meals that don't need a full kitchen
Find care for pets and kids during loud work
Tell family members what to expect and when

Home Renovation Checklist for Success

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Home Renovation

Following this home renovation guide helps you avoid renovation pitfalls that trip up other homeowners. The key renovation cost overruns happen when people skip planning, hire wrong, or try to do too much themselves.

Start with thorough planning, hire good professionals, and keep realistic expectations. Renovation spending jumped 60% between 2020 and 2023, making it more important than ever to get things right the first time.

Your dream home renovation is totally doable when you learn from common mistakes and approach the project smartly. Take time to plan, budget realistically, and don't be afraid to call professionals when you need them.

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Home Renovation

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