Home renovation is more than just a simple project that homeowners undertake when they want to spruce up their property. Nowadays, renovating your Bryan TX home has become trendy! There are so many popular HGTV shows that highlight flipping homes, fixer uppers and remodeling existing rooms. The popular Fixer Upper TV show is actually filmed less than 100 miles away from Bryan, TX! These shows let homeowners know that they have many different options to choose from if they live in an outdated property, if they need a change of scenery or if they are looking to buy a new home that will need some serious TLC before the move in.
Whether you are looking to buy a fixer upper in Bryan, TX and completely transform the property from top to bottom, or if you just need a quick kitchen or bathroom refresh then it’s important that you do it right the first time. A home renovation project can take a big chunk out of your budget, and it’ll become even more costly if it’s not done properly. Whether you are choosing to take the DIY route or hiring a professional contractor to oversee and manage your home renovation project, make sure you are prepared ahead of time by creating a strict budget and timeline that everyone will have to stick to. Even with these parameters in place, you can always expect to spend a little more time and money, because as we’ve all seen on TV there are always unpredictable situations and issues that can arise.
If you have decided to tackle your Bryan, TX home renovation project on your own, make sure that you are well informed and prepared before you begin the work. It’s important to stay safe and ask for help if you see that you need it – it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are choosing to hire a contractor, project manager, designer or other industry professional make sure to do your due diligence and check references and interview multiple candidates before you make your final selection. You don’t want to hire someone on a whim and realize halfway through the project that they aren’t executing your vision properly or that it’s just not working out. There are a various other renovation mistakes to avoid and we’ve listed a few of the more common ones that we’ve seen below!
- Measuring Incorrectly
This is especially relevant for those who are taking the DIY route. It’s better to measure the same area multiple times and make sure you have the correct dimensions. Being off by even a fraction of an inch can have big repercussions, which can lead to poor fitting, running out of material and having to order more or even not having enough room to install any major appliances. It’s better to spend the time preparing properly so you don’t have to spend more money later. If you are working with someone else, have them measure as well so you can compare your numbers and ensure that they are accurate.
This also goes for selecting and ordering furniture for your newly renovated Bryan, TX home. Don’t fall in love with a 94-inch sofa when you know that your living space can only accommodate an 84-inch sofa. It’s also a good idea to measure the door widths in your home so that you can know whether your new purchases will fit through the door or if you’ll have to get creative as to how new items will be brought into the home.
- Skimping on Quality Materials
When you are selecting tile, flooring, windows and other materials it’s always a good idea to splurge on better quality materials so that the work will look better and last longer. Select durable, high-quality materials that won’t need to be replaced in a couple of years. Building materials are also not the place to economize, if you are on a strict budget then there are other ways to save money.
- Setting Unrealistic Expectations
Starting a Bryan, TX home renovation project, whether it’s a complete remodel or just one or two rooms, can be a stressful, time consuming and expensive experience. To minimize the stress, it’s important to set realistic expectations from the very beginning – you need to set a realistic budget, a realistic timeline and for your expectations of the final product to be realistic as well. Renovations often cost more than expected, so one way to stay on top of your budget is to build in an extra 20% into the budget so you can be well prepared for any surprises.
- Expecting Everything to Go According to Plan
This goes hand in hand with setting realistic expectations. Remodeling can be messy, inconvenient, noisy and unpredictable. How many times have you watched an HGTV show where mold shows up in the walls, a room is unpermitted, or some other expensive challenge pops up that makes the project more expensive and takes longer to be completed? The best way to prepare for a remodeling project is to expect the unexpected and be flexible if things don’t go according to plan.
- Picking the Wrong Paint
Most people will spend hours comparing paint samples when searching for the perfect color for their home. The mistake homeowners make often is that they don’t spend as much time or thought into the many different types of paint that are available for purchase. Manufacturers create different paint types for the different surfaces in a home, and they are not all the same. For example, flat paint does not have a shine, will show marks and is very difficult to clean. This type of paint is best used on ceilings and walls that don’t see a lot of foot traffic. On the other hand, semi-gloss and glossy paint provides a nice sheen, and is the perfect option for walls in bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms that are often occupied.
- Selecting Appliances Last
Appliances are the ornamental jewelry that adorns the kitchen, and it’s important to design the heart of the home around these big statement pieces. By selecting your appliances first, you can make sure that the overall design will accommodate the items that you really want and that the space will allow for the installation of any bigger pieces like a range or double fridge. Just because you select and buy your appliances early on in the process, doesn’t mean that they have to be installed until you are ready for it.
- Buying Materials too Early
Before you go out and start spending money on flooring, tile, appliances and other building materials you want to make sure that all of your project plans are finalized. Your Bryan, TX home project also needs to be far enough along to where measurements can be taken accurately, and the dimensions won’t change. Otherwise, you risk buying the wrong quantities of materials or ordering appliances that won’t fit your space.
- Not Ordering Extra Materials
The same way that we recommended padding your budget with 20%, we encourage you to order 20% extra building materials to make sure your job is completed. This is especially important when it comes to flooring, because you want to account for installation waste and any potential defects. It’s also a good idea to have some extra paint on hand for the future – you never know when you’ll need to patch up a wall or paint over some scuff marks that are difficult to clean up.
- Impulse Buying
It can be extremely tempting to buy something you fall in love with, especially if you happen to find it on sale or offered at a significant discount. Before you buy something for your Bryan, TX home renovation project, make sure that it fits with the overall design aesthetic that you are looking to achieve. It’s also important to ensure that this new addition also fits within your budget.
- Working Without a Permit
If you are working with an industry professional, like a contractor, they will be responsible for getting any necessary building permits your project requires before and during the job. However, it is your responsibility to make sure that there are no issues that pop up later. Check in with your local building department to determine what, if any, permits are required for your project. If your project is unpermitted, you risk having it torn down, and when you try to sell your home later on it will affect the resale value of the property. It could even block the actual sale itself.
Embarking on a home renovation project is an exciting time, and it’s even more exciting when the work is complete, and you can enjoy your new Bryan, TX home. Whether you are renovating a home top to bottom, or simply updating a few rooms here and there, the most important tip to keep in mind is to prepare ahead of time so you can avoid costly mistakes. If you have any questions or are in search of guidance and recommendations, contact our team at Brazos County Realty. We would be happy to help you find the perfect fixer upper property in Bryan, TX that you can transform into your dream home. Take some time to browse our properties and search through available listings – then give us a call and let us help you navigate the current real estate market!