Home Improvement Mistakes To Avoid

Home Improvement Mistakes to Avoid

Undertaking a home improvement project is serious business. Whether you give it a go on your own or hire a professional, making even minor home improvements can make a huge difference to your home and its value. On the other hand taking shortcuts or only doing half a job can cause headaches, cost you thousands and may even make your home unlivable. When making home repairs, here are 5 common mistakes to avoid.

Using Cheap Materials

When trying to choose between two kinds of building materials, the temptation to go with the cheap stuff is crushing. After all, how much of a difference could it really make? They wouldn’t sell it at all if it didn’t do a decent job, right? Don’t give into this temptation! Saving a few hundred dollars now on materials could mean having to pay thousands in a few years when the cheap stuff falls apart. Spend a little more now for quality materials and save yourself money, and headaches, down the road.

Using the Wrong Tools

When doing home repairs on your own you may be in a rush to get everything done. You have to be back at work on Monday, so either the job gets done this weekend or it doesn’t get done at all. This rush leads many of us to try to do a job with the tools we already have rather than make an extra trip to the hardware store. Never underestimate the importance of having the right tool for the job. Especially if you are doing the job for the first time, having the right tool can be the difference between doing a job right and having to call a professional to fix it later on.

Working without a Permit

Homeowners choose to make home improvements without a permit for one of two reasons. They either feel like “the man” shouldn’t have a say in what they can do in their own home or they are trying to save money. Unfortunately, the fines for working without a permit are so steep that it is worth it to put your personal or political beliefs aside. Even if you don’t care about the money, but your city, town, or home owners association can actually force you to undo the changes that you made to your home. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste! Get the proper permits before starting any home renovation project.

Making a Verbal Agreement

Anytime that you are dealing with a contractor, electrician, plumber, gardener, painter or repairman, get your agreement in writing. It doesn’t have to be a fancy contract, but it must be in writing and signed by both parties. No exceptions! Remember, no matter what the company promises you it is absolutely meaningless unless you get the agreement in writing. Don’t end up in court without a leg to stand on. Get your deal in writing or don’t make a deal at all.

Being Trendy

Home décor trends come and go. If you are painting a bedroom or making a choice when it comes to small appliances, going with the current trend isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you are making major changes like painting your home’s exterior or putting on a new roof, you may want to think twice before going with a trendy style. While we all have different style and ultimately the choice is up to you, there is nothing worse than being stuck with an eyesore that was once cool, but is now going to cost you thousands to fix. 

Kenny Soto is a blogger and moving expert at MyMove.com. For more info on making home improvements, building permits and finding the right contractor visit MyMove.com today.