With so many choices in today’s home renovations, it’s easy to feel decision fatigue when you’re remodeling and you might worry that you’ll make a mistake that you’ll regret later. Luckily, there are experts to guide you through every step of the way. So here is some of the best renovation advice – and top mistakes to avoid, so you can focus on building your dream home.

DO – think about your family’s lifestyle

When considering renovation, think about the people in your home and how your spaces function. The goal should be to increase your home’s efficiency and functionality – then once that is figured out, think about the aesthetics.

DON’T – lose the forest for the trees

Sometimes people don’t approach renovations as a whole. At times, people focus on particular rooms without having a clear vision of the whole project. The first thing to do is to have a cohesive concept for the project before embarking on the renovation so that the look and feel is carried out through the whole house. Even if you’re tackling the project room by room to space out the expenses over time, begin with an overall design plan for the entire house so rooms don’t start to feel disjointed as the project continues.

DO – shop for the right contractor

One of the hardest things about a remodel is finding the right contractor who is going to make your dream a reality. We recommend to get a few estimates before narrowing it to one person. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you might have before making the decision. Especially if you’re renovating a whole house, you’ll be working with this person for several months (at least) during what is typically a stressful transition for many families. Make sure you shop around for the best price, as well as the person who matches your work style and understands the overall vision for the space.

DON’T – underestimate the cost

From experience, most people underestimate how much things really cost, especially in these times when materials are super expensive. When the cost of certain common building materials, like lumber, is high, it will affect the overall cost of the renovation. During a time when the market is particularly volatile, the estimated project cost from six months ago may now look very different. It’s a good idea to budget for at least 20 percent above the estimated cost and check in regularly about changes to avoid surprises.

DO – work with what you’ve got

The more you can work with existing conditions, the better. Some people might want a fun light installation over the dining room area but the ceilings are too low so you need to come up with other creative design details instead of trying to change the height of the ceiling and that will make for a smoother remodel.

DON’T – just follow Instagram and Pinterest

From magazines to social media, Pinterest and elsewhere there is so much inspiration that can influence design decisions. When designing your home or defining your style, it’s important to step away from all the external sources and find inspiration within yourself to ensure that you are curating something that feels unique and special to you.

DO – prioritize necessary projects

Do the most necessary upgrades first then the least over time, so you can be sure the most necessary home updates are covered before your budget runs out. Homeownership is a marathon not a race, so once you have your bases covered in terms of the safety and security of your home, take your time on the more cosmetic upgrades to design the home you love.

DO – call us if you need help.

We are here to not only help you buy, sell and invest in real estate, but we are also to be your real estate resource for life.