From using inferior tools and ignoring proper preparation to planning impractical budgets and selecting the wrong materials, many homeowners fall into the same pitfalls when renovating and remodeling their homes. Being on the contractor's side of things, I’ve seen what is referred to in our industry as the “Homeowner Special” most of the time the only thing special about the work that has been done is that one of us contractors gets to fix it. That being said there are numerous things that you can do to prevent these blunders and this month I’d like to address a few of the most frequent renovating mistakes. Being prepared going into a project, and knowing what not to do, is almost more important than what you do.

1. Gutting Everything
Sometimes we just like getting started, however gutting everything can lead to weeks without a kitchen or bathroom and cause tension within our families. Even though your initiative is commendable, having a fully calculated plan is almost always the right way to go.

2. Inferior Materials and Tools
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to home renovation is that they try to be cheap when they buy materials. The bottom line is you're going to get what you pay for. If you're going to do it, do it right. If you can't afford to do it, wait. It is more likely than not that there is a difference between the ceiling fan that is $39.95 and a similar fan that is $199.99, the same is true concerning tools.

3. Going Too Stylish
People often make the mistake of wanting to be too hip and trendy in their remodel by picking the latest, hottest, coolest things. What they don't take into consideration is the style of the house. If one room is out of balance from the rest of the house, it can have a negative effect and seem out of place. Also something to consider is that trends come and go. It is better to pick styles that have stood the test of time - especially if you are considering selling your home in the near future. You want to keep in the back of your mind, whether this will help if I decide to sell.

4. Failure to Anticipate the Disorder
It is really important to anticipate the time and the chaos your renovation could bring. You want to discuss with everyone involved what is going on and be up front. It can take some getting used to and then you can slowly start to piece your life and your home back together once the project is complete.

5. Forgetting About Safety
The most important thing you can have on a job site for your own personal safety is goggles to protect your eyes, ear protection and gloves to protect your hands from splinters, nails and other things. Having a good set of steel-toed boots is also recommended. You ought to have a first-aid kit in a very accessible location as well.

6. Know What You’re Getting Into
Even if you're not doing the work yourself, know what to look for - what your contractor is doing. That way you can keep an eye on the project and know if something's getting out of hand. You want to be able to have enough information to know what questions to ask. Remember completion projections come with imperfect conditions and something is bound to come up and stifle the perfect flow of any construction project.

7. Avoiding Permits
The bottom line is if you do perform work without a permit and something serious happens, your homeowner's insurance will likely not cover it. Fines (if you are caught working without a permit) can be three times the cost of the permit fee.

8. Setting an Unrealistic Budget
The most costly "to do" on a big renovation or remodel, is your labor. You never know what's going to happen once you start the demolition process. As soon as you open up a wall, you never know what you're going to find behind that wall, so you need to pad your budget and you need to be realistic. Here are a few ballpark figures of what you can expect to spend on the most common renovations. Obviously the more sophisticated the materials and size of the rooms, the more costly it will be.
Bathrooms - $2,500.00 – $5,000.00.
Kitchens – $15,000.00 – $35,000.00.

9. Taking On More Than You Can Handle
I’ve seen it over and over when people make the mistake of not knowing their limitations - they often take shortcuts. You really do have to know up front where you're going, and be honest with yourself regarding your abilities. Having a friend that you know is more knowledgeable in an area than you are is worth the pizza it will cost to have him/her come over and help.

10. Losing Interest
More often than not we jump into a project with the gusto of a freight train and then lose steam after each weekend passes. If the project isn’t going at a steady pace, you may need a kick start. The best way to get that is to “GET HELP”. Even if the only thing you can do is clean up the mess and organize the yet-to-be-installed-materials, it’s better than nothing.
I hope that these ten tips help you as you move forward in whatever home renovation you’re planning.