Whether you know someone personally who’s recently had their home remodeled or you are just a fan of HGTV, you likely have some preconceived ideas of what remodeling your own home would be like. While some of these suppositions might be true, there are many misconceptions about home remodeling. We would like to clear these up and ensure that you have all the right information before you make any big decisions.
You Don’t Need a Professional
There are many resources for those who are interested in and have the capabilities to complete a DIY home remodel project. Sometimes, a quick DIY is the best option for you. However, the best intentions sometimes end up with undesired results and more time and investment than you intended. To avoid having to call someone to fix mistakes or problems you didn’t expect, it’s often wiser to invest in professionals who do this work every day. They will be better prepared to walk you through the process and protect your home and wallet from the unknown.
You Always Get Back What You Spent if You Sell the Home
Investing in a home remodel project can be quite costly. There is a myth that whatever you spend on a remodel will be reimbursed when you sell the house. Unfortunately, this is not always true. Some remodeling projects are more likely to have a positive return on investment, while others might only offer a small monetary recoupment. This depends greatly on the type of project, the demographic of the people likely to purchase the home, and the house’s location. Be sure to consider all these factors and speak with a professional if this is an essential aspect of remodeling your home.
Remodels are Always Stressful
Remodeling your home can indeed be stressful, but that doesn’t mean it has to be. With the right team on your side, careful planning, and proper preparations, remodeling your home can truly be a fun experience. To set yourself up for success, take time to hire the right contractor for your project. We have an excellent resource on how to go about interviewing and hiring the right contractor. Trust in the people you hire is essential for your project to be a success. With this knowledge and preparation, you will set your remodeling journey on the right path to an enjoyable experience.
You Can’t Stay in Your Home During a Remodel
On popular TV shows, the families usually move out of the house for a period of time while the renovations are ongoing and you may think this is your only option. Sometimes, depending on the scope of the project, this may be the best course of action. For example,, if you’re remodeling multiple areas of the home (i.e. kitchen, master bathroom) or adding an addition, , it might be safer and more convenient for you to temporarily relocate. But if you’re remodeling only one room or area of the house, there are usually ways to move things around, allowing you to stay within your home comfortably while the work is ongoing. Ultimately, whether or not you stay in your home during the remodeling process is up to you, but a contractor can help you with this decision and alter the work to best suit your needs.
Get Three Bids and Choose the Cheapest
Not only is this unwise advice, it could potentially be harmful to the success and enjoyment of your remodeling project. Getting more than one opinion about the project is always smart, but choosing a contractor based solely on price is rarely a good idea. When contractors make “bids,” they are basically giving you an educated guess on the cost of your project because it is impossible to have all the necessary information for pricing at that point to accurately assess the total cost of your remodel. That’s why we suggest contractors who use a “design-build” method of pricing out a project. That way, they have all the information and details needed to ensure you know exactly how much your project will cost. This ultimately saves you time, money, and stress. You can check out this blog to learn more about the “design-build” process.