5 Common Myths About Home Remodeling

With so many tutorials online and workshops given at hardware stores, you might be tempted to think you can remodel your home by yourself from start to finish. Things like major roofing projects, certain electrical repairs and upgrades, and structural work may need the expertise of a professional. Otherwise, any money you’ve saved will be outweighed by potential problems later on.

Myth 3: Remodeling is Easy and Fast

Remodeling a home is no easy task, but one of the most common myths has been fueled by the rise of televised DIY projects. This so-called "reality TV effect" has given an entire generation of viewers the impression that most of the makeover can be accomplished in 48 hours. So if we do a renovation we must take into account the following aspects: The scope of your project, the size of the work team, the availability of materials, the weather, and even unforeseen problems, such as finding mold or rotten wood during a demolition, affect the timeline of a project.

Myth 4: Go Big on Renovations

Instead of thinking big and wanting to go crazy with big projects, think realistic. You may want a giant addition, but will the cost of that addition or remodel be worth it in the long run? We must always put our feet on the ground and look for renovations that are within our possibilities.

Myth 5: We can opt for the least expensive materials

A lot of products look similar, but the cheapest one isn’t always better. A less-expensive countertop in a basement three-quarter bath might be fine, but a plastic kitchen faucet for about $150 will need to be repaired or replaced much sooner than a $500 one, says Built by Design. Rather than make such decisions yourself, however, why not speak with a contractor about where you can save on your budget?