Renovating Your Home? Here Are the 11 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Removing original fixtures

One of the most common mistakes people make when undertaking significant updates to their homes is over-modernising. "Working with existing accents of an old home is often what makes the result so special," Prudence says. Original crown moulding, interior brick walls, timber floorboards – these have all become treasured design aspects of older homes. But what if you're envisioning a sleek, minimalist or monochromatic space? Absolutely you do, but that white bamboo flooring might not seem like a good idea a few years from now, especially given the time you spend daily mopping up every little mark.

Solution

Make a list of every original feature in your home that could be worth restoring, and build the cost into your budget. Talk it out with a friend or relative who appreciates interior design, and spend some scouring Pinterest for reference images that combine old with new.

Mistake #3: Not planning ahead

It seems obvious, but it bears repeating: plan, plan, plan. When you're investing serious money and time in any sort of home renovation, big or small, it is crucial to spend time thinking, planning and reflecting before buying materials and hiring tradespeople.

"If you're able," Prudence says, "living in the home for a few weeks or even months before renovations begin will give you a much better idea of what changes you need." You might think you know straight away which walls you want to get rid of and the type of flooring you'd like to replace the out-of-date linoleum with. But until you've spent time in the house living your regular routine, you may forget how the everyday habits of your home's inhabitants impact the space.

For example, sandstone flooring might be the aesthetic you want but is it what you need? Sandstone is light and porous, and might not be appropriate for the kitchen, or if you have indoor/outdoor pets that can track dirt and dust everywhere they go. Likewise, a big beautiful bathroom seems like a nice idea, but keeping the toilet in its own cubicle with a door will prevent morning arguments for years to come.

Solution

Think, write lists, reflect, talk it out. The more productive planning you do, the better the outcome. The key word here is productive. When planning starts to feel like procrastination, it's time to ask yourself whether your hesitation to move forward indicates a real problem – perhaps you've under-budgeted and deep down know you really can't afford that pricey stone bench-top but keep putting off pivoting to a more affordable option. There's no shame in scaling back when you need to, and it's better done sooner than later.

Mistake #5: Poor people management

Hiring tradespeople can be a daunting task, especially for first-time renovators. If the budget allows it, hiring a builder to manage down will save you time and many headaches. If you are managing the project yourself, Prudence says it's important to have all your tradespeople lined up to prevent delays and most of all be extremely clear in all of your communication with them. Ask around, get references, do your research, and remember, if there was ever a time to ask for what you want, it is now.

It goes both ways – if you are unclear on part of a quote or timeline from a tradesperson, ask them to elaborate. When you're investing serious money into a big project, it can be easy to overthink interactions and second-guess contractors. Ultimately, all you can do is speak your truth and trust the people you bring on will be honest, reliable and good at what they do.

Solution

Be clear, be kind, be courteous, and show up where and when you need to, i.e. pay invoices on time, query inconsistencies where relevant, and give clear feedback without micromanaging.

Mistake #7: Following trends

Trends can be great to take inspiration from, but if you follow them blindly there's a high chance you'll be sick of them as soon as they are no longer a trend.

Solution

Go nuts on Pinterest, but pause before making any wild purchases. Think of it like this: you are your client. Your client (you) has given you X amount of dollars to spend on a home renovation project. Don't make recommendations that don't meet the client's needs or aesthetic sensibilities. Your client (again, you) might keep suggesting bold colours for her walls, but ask the right questions and she (you) will reveal she has never as much worn a bright tank top let alone spent lots of money on peacock-blue wall paint.

Mistake #9: Waiting to choose appliances

It's more common than you'd think: you're nearing the end of a kitchen renovation and decide it's time to buy a new fridge. You find your dream fridge (yes, there is such a thing) only to find out the new alcove is just too narrow. The dream is over.

Solution

Choose your appliances early on, without necessarily purchasing them straight away.

Mistake #11: Thinking short-term

It's crucial to stick to your budget and spend conservatively, but this doesn't necessarily mean choosing the least expensive option every time. Where it pays to stretch your budget as far as it can go is in regard to quality materials that last. "Choose quality where you can," Prudence says. "Get it right from the beginning so you don't have to do it again in five years time."

For example, quality windows with thermal properties and beautiful frames can make a huge difference to the function and feel of a home. If your budget allows for steel instead of aluminium, it could be worth the extra spend in the long run.

Solution

Budget wisely and try to decide what aspects of your renovation require or deserve more of that budget.