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Here’s a not-so-fun fact: According to a report from Clever Real Estate, 74% of homeowners who have undergone a remodeling project have regrets about the process. It’s relatable, if not humbling, considering how much money goes into such a project. Renovations come with a to-do list that rivals the longest CVS receipt you’ve ever received. There are always things that fall through the cracks and DIYs gone wrong. And one of the toughest things to nail down is when to bring in a professional to tackle a project versus pulling up YouTube and learning on the fly.
The survey dug into some of those specific regrets—if you’re even thinking about taking on a remodel, keep these in mind.
Top Renovation Regrets
- 24% felt that they spent too much money
- 22% said the renovation took too long
- 18% underestimated the disruption to daily life
- 16% went into debt
- 15% said they chose the wrong contractor
Now onto the bright side. Through our many, many interviews with designers and DIYers, we’ve learned how you can avoid adding a percentage point to any of the stats above. Here are some tips we’ve collected from our own treasure chest of reno spotlights.
1. Save on Scratch-and-Dent Appliances (and Packages)
Retailers will often offer discounts (sometimes really good ones) on items that have seen slight damage in transport or wear and tear while sitting on a store shelf. This laundry room offers some inspiration. Also, keep an eye out for package deals if you plan on purchasing appliances for an entire room in one go—homeowner Wendy Lau scored her Samsung fridge, oven, range hood, and dishwasher all for $10,000 that way.
2. Don’t Gut a Space and Then Get Distracted
Timing really is key. Elena Lohse of This House 5000 learned this lesson with her kitchen reno, which spanned six years. After gutting her galley space, she got used to cooking in a makeshift setup in her basement and decided to retile her entryway, reno her bathroom, and reframe her windows instead. Come up with a start-to-finish timeline from the beginning and stick to it.
3. Request Do-overs When Securing Contractor Bids
You don’t have to go with the first draft of a contractor bid. Serial renovators Maggie Davis and Nicole Mitchell advise that getting detailed paperwork, asking lots of questions, and checking references (everything from Angi to personal contacts to state boards) can save you some heartache and stress. It may seem like a lot, but you’re actively weeding out the contractors who aren’t right for the gig.
4. Spend Money on Drawings, Then Serve as Your Own GC
There is no one single way to take on a renovation. One Portland, Oregon–based couple took on partial help for their bathroom remodel, which included working with local building firm Aforma to create the plan and renderings for $5,000, before taking the project over the finish line solo.