Don’t Make These 4 Home Improvement Mistakes

An upcoming renovation is an exciting moment for you as a homeowner. It’s also a stressful one. What if you slip up and wreck your home or waste money on a change you hate? 

People make home renovation mistakes all the time. But you don’t have to follow in their footsteps — just check out the guide below.

Mistake #1: Working without a Safety Net

A safety net, cushion, or emergency fund. Whatever you want to call it, this stash of cash is there to help you when things go wrong. 

Because they will — just ask any contractor or HGTV star. They’ve done these things enough to know they need to budget for mistakes and emergencies. 

The same goes for your project. Having a cushion means you can handle any surprise—whether you find unexpected water damage behind your shower tiles or hurt yourself badly enough you need to see a doctor. 

Without a safety net, you may have to look into getting an online loan. An online loan is a simple, convenient way to get money when you don’t have other options. 

There are many different types of online loans available today, and not all of them are meant for your home. Take the time to compare online installment loans, cash advance loans, and lines of credit to find out which one fits your emergency. 

Mistake #2: Having an Act First Mentality

When you’re sick and tired of boring design or broken appliances, all you want to do is pick up a sledgehammer and start making changes. 

But jumping head-first into a project without any plan is a sure-fire way for things to go wrong. At this point, there’s a greater chance you’ll need to dip into even more savings or borrow a bigger online short-term loan to right your wrongs. 

When it comes to your home, winging it doesn’t work. Instead, make a game plan. This forward-thinking comes with these benefits:

• Understanding and planning for common challenges involved in your project

• Comparing materials to find the best and cheapest option

• Researching the best methods to achieve your goal

Mistake #3: Buying All Your Equipment

Having a fully stocked workroom with tools and equipment is a dream that few of us have actualized just yet. Like many people, you’re probably starting your toolkit from scratch. 

You may even be tempted to snatch up every tool you need for your project—from a drill press and miter box to a hydraulic nail gun and reciprocating saw.

Once you’re done creating your collection, you won’t have any money left over for the project itself!

To save your budget, try finding a tool library in your area instead. For a small membership fee, you’ll have access to their extensive catalog of tools and equipment.

Mistake #4: Ignoring ROI

Sometimes, the renovations you want to do aren’t the renovations you should do. Like painting your bedroom lime green. While it may be your favorite color, it could be a major turnoff to buyers when it comes time to sell your home. 

What renovations have the best Return on Investment (ROI)? Here are some tried-and-tested ideas:

• Installing insulated winders and doors

• Building a front porch or backyard patio

• Remodeling your kitchen with new appliance upgrades

• Adding another bathroom

Bottom Line

Learn from other people’s mistakes. They made them so you don’t have to. 

Keep this list in mind to pull off a stress-free reno.