Design changes, material delays, working around the client’s life, site cleanup, and more. We’ve dealt with every pitfall imaginable and created solutions to avoid them. Here’s some of what we’ve learned, 1,000+ projects later.
Starting Without A Clear, Detailed Design Plan
Don’t jump into demolition without a fully realized design. This only leads to unnecessary change orders, budget overruns, delays, and frustration on all sides. All layout, materials, and style selections should be made before any demolition begins.
A detailed pre-build process asks all the right questions and sets clear expectations. There should be no confusion along the way or delays due to tile and layout choices. When everything has been decided in advance, and all the necessary materials are already on site, all that should be left to do is the work.
Trends Over Timeless Design
Trends are fleeting, by nature. Overcommitting to color schemes, atypical material choices, niche layouts, and uncommon door styles will not withstand aesthetic scrutiny over time. Within two years, they end up looking kitschy or even cringy.
A few examples of past trends from recent years include:
- Grey everywhere
- White everywhere
- Sliding barn doors
- Sinks in the island
- Open kitchen shelving
- Doorless bathrooms
- Open showers
Timeless design is especially critical if you’re flipping or remodeling for resale. Thoughtful, classic choices in quality materials and neutral tones will be smarter than unique, trendy designs. Plan for longevity and not what’s hot now.
Thoughtful Finish Selections
Everybody loves the price tag of low-cost materials, but the finished look is usually disappointing. These materials are often difficult to clean and maintain, and wear out too quickly.
Material selections for high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be thoughtful and weighed against daily use. Physically inspect samples wherever possible and plan for a blend of visual appeal and longevity.
Missing The Mark on Hardware
Homeowners often try to save money on hardware, like handles, knobs, and hinges. But these are the features you use every day. How many times a day do you open that drawer or door? How often are those hinges stressed? More budget room should be allowed for high-quality hardware that actually improves how everyday features are used.
Skipping Space-Maximizing Storage
We all love good aesthetics, and the best support for a beautiful space is effective, strategic storage solutions that keep clutter at bay. If everything has a place to live, homeowners can avoid cluttered countertops, poor organization, and visual overwhelm.
Design for storage from the beginning. How can you use closets, cabinets, spaces under the stairs, shelving, and more to keep things accessible without having to keep them out? Kitchen remodels that include shelf organizers, butler’s pantries, and innovative cabinet use will create a kitchen designed for everyday, practical use without sacrificing aesthetics.
Turn Your Kitchen into an Efficient and Functional Workspace with These Expert Organization Tips
Achieving an organized and efficient kitchen is essential for a functional cooking space.
Hiring Based On Price Over Experience
One of the most common complaints in the construction and home remodeling industry is a chaotic client experience. Delays, change orders, budget overruns, poor communication, the list goes on. This leads to widespread mistrust of skilled contractors and teams.
Talk with potential contractors about how they operate. Do they have a reliable team? How will they maintain communication? What are site clean-up expectations? Will they have the design planned out in advance, preventing delays later? Get to know the behind-the-scenes processes to predict what your experience will be like throughout the remodel.
Underestimating The Use of Light
Well-designed spaces will appear dull without adequate light. This will later require more lamps and lighting solutions that take up floor space and may clash with overall aesthetics, rather than working with it organically.
When you plan light into the design, think in layers, considering all the ways to best use it in any one space. Skylights, recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, sconces, chandeliers, lit art installations or feature spaces, and natural light from windows should all be planned strategically.
Choosing Style-First Appliances
Style-first appliance choices don’t belong in your home renovation. They often look appealing but actually sacrifice functionality, and usually at a steep cost. Some examples include French-door refrigerators, unnecessary smart-screen integration, imported designer finishes, and downdraft ranges.
Unrealistic Timeline Expectations
A complete, high-quality kitchen remodel should take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. That’s with a solid design plan and material selections made in advance. In an effort to secure the bid, some contractors will accelerate the timeline, but this only leads to cutting corners, unexpected delays, and a messy process.
Plan around seasonal considerations, material deliveries, crew availability, and any other potential obstacles to set a realistic timeline. This avoids client frustration, and if you’ve ordered any custom pieces, cabinetry, or elite appliances, expect an extended timeline.
Renovating For Now, Not For Life
Where will you or your home be in 5 or 10 years? A bath or kitchen remodel should last many years and evolve with the family’s needs. If you only plan for exactly what you need today, you’ll need another remodel before your new design is ready to be replaced.
Plan ahead for en-suite baths with growing kids who will soon be teens. Think of soundproofing and plenty of built-in storage. Include walk-in showers for maturing homes that need to plan for aging in place. Include wide hallways that may allow ample room for wheelchairs or walkers.
Even if you don’t need these things today, design flexibility into your space. This supports future needs and protects the overall value of your investment.
Better Planning Prevents A Host of Common Renovation Pitfalls
The remodel starts with the first conversation, not the demo. It’s what happens between those two events that sets your project up for success. With strong professional guidance and advanced renovation planning, you can enjoy a home that’s exactly what you need without all the chaos of a typical remodel.
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