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15 common home renovation mistakes to avoid

15 common home renovation mistakes to avoid

Renovating a home can be a thrilling endeavor, promising to breathe new life into one’s living space, amplify its value, and tailor it to one’s unique needs. But without meticulous planning and execution, this endeavor can morph into a costly and frustrating nightmare. As a homeowner, understanding renovation pitfalls is important to avoid unnecessary stress, delays, and financial setbacks. Here are some common home renovation mistakes to avoid for a smooth process.

Ignoring permits and regulations
Neglecting to obtain the necessary permits and ignoring local building codes can lead to fines, delays, and even having to undo completed work. One should check with the local authorities and ensure that one’s renovation adheres to the required regulations.

Neglecting structural issues
Before embarking on cosmetic renovations, one should address any underlying structural issues in their home. These may include foundation problems, roofing issues, or termite damage. Addressing these issues early on will prevent further damage and ensure safety.

Failing to plan for contingencies
Home renovations can quickly become more expensive than what was initially anticipated. In addition to the costs of materials and labor, one should factor in additional expenses like permits, inspections, shipping, and other unforeseen costs. One can set aside a contingency budget of around 10-15% of the project cost.

Hiring unqualified contractors
Choosing the wrong contractors can lead to shoddy workmanship, missed deadlines, and disputes. One is advised to research, read reviews, and check references before hiring any professionals. Ensure that the contractor is licensed, insured, and experienced in handling similar projects.

Sacrificing quality for savings
While it’s essential to be mindful of one’s budget, cutting corners and opting for low-quality materials and finishes can result in higher maintenance costs and a shorter lifespan for the renovated spaces.

Not tracking the progress
One needs to clearly convey their expectations to the contractors and ensure that both parties understand the scope of work, the timeline, and any potential challenges. One should also regularly monitor the progress to address any concerns promptly.

Overlooking storage and functionality
Esthetics are essential, but one should not ignore the functionality and storage needs of their home. It is important to plan for necessary storage solutions and design spaces that cater to one’s lifestyle and also has room to accommodate the family’s changing needs.

Changing one’s mind midway
While some changes are inevitable, making frequent alterations to the design midway through the renovation can lead to delays and increased costs. One should try to finalize the design choices before starting the project and stick to the plan unless absolutely necessary.

Neglecting safety measures
Skimping on safety equipment and protocols during renovation can be dangerous. One should ensure that the worksite is safe for both workers and residents. One can use caution tape and barriers to prevent access to hazardous areas.

Not seeking professional help
While DIY projects can be cost-effective, not seeking professional help for complex renovations like electrical work or structural changes can result in safety hazards and shoddy craftsmanship.

Buying new furniture early on
It might be tempting to shop for new furniture and décor pieces while the renovation project is ongoing, but doing so can lead to buying furniture that doesn’t fit or complement the renovation outcome.

Making measurement errors
Whether it’s the dimensions of a room, the placement of fixtures, or the sizing of materials, even small measurement errors can lead to costly mistakes. One should always double-check measurements, use precise tools, and consider the space from various angles to avoid ordering incorrect materials or making irreversible changes.

Not testing materials and finishes
Before committing to specific materials and finishes, it is essential to test samples in one’s home’s lighting conditions. Colors and textures can appear different in different lighting, and testing will help one to make an informed decision.

Disregarding the HVAC System
If one’s renovation involves altering the layout, it is crucial to assess the capacity of one’s HVAC system, which stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. An outdated HVAC system will struggle to efficiently heat and cool one’s home, leading to discomfort and higher energy bills.

Overlooking proper ventilation
Areas like kitchens and bathrooms require adequate ventilation to prevent mold growth, odors, and moisture-related damage. One should ensure that the renovation involves installing proper ventilation systems, such as exhaust fans and range hoods, to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Home renovations can be immensely rewarding, and a thoughtful and strategic approach to the process will result in a beautiful, functional, and enjoyable living space for years to come.

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Avoid these 10 cleaning mistakes

It might sound surprising, but there are some wrong ways of cleaning your home. While your living spaces may look cleaner even with these ineffective methods, you might just help the breeding of bacteria or set yourself up for more cleaning! So, take a minute to think about your cleaning routine and how you can make it more effective. Avoid these cleaning mistakes to make your home look fresher and cleaner for a long time.Using too much laundry detergent or softenerUsing too much detergent doesn’t make your clothes cleaner. Instead, you may find traces of leftover detergent after the wash. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for fabric softener, as too much softener may make the fabrics stiff and greasy.Overloading the dishwasherAdding too many utensils to your dishwasher may affect its ability to clean well. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when loading the dishwasher.Using the same rag everywhereEven if your rag or cleaning cloth does not look old, it must be replaced regularly to avoid spreading dirt or germs across surfaces. You may switch to a microfiber towel in combination with a disinfectant spray.Not cleaning out the vacuumIt is important to regularly clean out the waste bag in your vacuum cleaner to effectively clean up a space. Otherwise, you will just end up pushing dirt around!Using furniture polish to dustAlthough furniture polish can make surfaces look clean and shiny, it must be used sporadically. It tends to have a higher concentration of oil, which can make fingerprints more prominent on smooth surfaces and make your home look unkempt. Instead, it is best to clean furniture with a barely damp cloth.Spraying cleaners directly on electronicsDirectly spraying cleaners onto devices like laptops, cell phones, or TVs may be damaging. Instead, spray the cleaner onto a clean microfiber cloth and then wipe the surface with it.Ignoring remote controlsThis is one of the most common cleaning mistakes to avoid. The remote controls around the house may be managed by multiple people a day. So, be sure to clean and sanitize them well.Using dish soap on wooden cutting boardsCutting boards need to be cleaned more carefully, as they may lead to cross-contamination, especially after chopping meats. Instead of relying on soap and warm water, soak the board in a bleach solution to clean it well.Scrubbing stains out of carpetsScrubbing a stain on upholstery can damage the fabric. So, avoid this cleaning mistake, and instead, blot as much of the spill as possible with a paper towel. Rinse it well and blot dry again. Use a carpet stain remover if required.Forgetting to take out the trashClearing out the trash regularly will help you maintain a clean home. But this isn’t enough; leaks or tears in the bag may cause spills inside the can. Remember to wipe down the trash can with a bleach cleaning solution to ward off any undesirable smells from your home. If you are using harsh chemicals in your cleaning routine, make sure you wear gloves during the process and don’t forget to ventilate the room once you are done cleaning. This can help you stay safe and not inhale any toxic fumes. So, avoid these cleaning mistakes to make sure your home remains healthy and hygienic.

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7 common mistakes to avoid while buying furniture

Redecorating the home with new furniture is always exciting. It gives one the chance to redesign the space based on their current needs and preferences. Exciting as it is, this process may often also feel tedious. As a result, many people end up rushing the process, purchasing furniture pieces they regret in the future. Here is a list of seven common mistakes people make when buying furniture and how to avoid them. Looking for the cheapest options Many people look for the cheapest options when buying furniture. However, this could end up costing them more in the long run. While it may be an immediate money-saver, the furniture pieces may need to be replaced sooner. When buying furniture, consider the frequency of its use, along with its material and build quality to pick pieces that will last long. Eyeballing measurements One must always carefully measure the furniture being purchased. Additionally, it is important to measure the dimensions of the room it will be placed in and the size of the doorways and hallways. Eyeballing these measurements is a common mistake to avoid as it may mean the furniture cannot be brought into the room, or does not fit in its intended space, which may cause one to return the piece and/or lose their deposit. Ignoring scale and space In addition to the size of the piece, one must also consider the space around it. Big furniture pieces that look good in the store may end up blocking space around the home. To find a better estimate of how big a certain furniture piece may look inside the house, mark the size of the item in the room using masking tape. For easy access in and around the room, leave at least 18 inches (45 cm) of space between the coffee table and the sofa, 32-36 inches (81-91 cm) between pieces of furniture, and 48 inches (121 cm) for chairs around the dining table. Working with this margin in mind will help one find furniture that can be moved and accessed comfortably. Not considering one's lifestyle People often turn to lifestyle magazines and catalogs for style inspiration. While these may be a good place to start shortlisting, one needs to consider their lifestyle seriously when making decisions about furniture. It is important to find pieces that fit well with one’s needs. For instance, those who are considering growing their family may want to opt for furniture pieces with rounded edges and softer corners, instead of sharp sides or glass tops. Similarly, for households with older people, it may be advisable to opt for firmer and higher chairs and beds for ease of movement. Impulse buying When shopping, it is easy to fall in love with a certain piece of furniture or an accessory. Most often, impulse purchases turn into costly mistakes. So, before finalizing the purchase, one must take a moment to consider how it would fit in with the rest of the room. Think about its style, colors, functionality, and size. Buying too soon (or all at once) As one plans a renovation, the goal is to get everything done as soon as possible. This sometimes means booking furniture pieces before the space is ready. However, this may prove costly, so one must wait until the room is ready. This will give one a better idea of the space, allowing one to find the right pieces for the room. Additionally, one may feel tempted to buy all the furniture at once, which can lead to overspending. Take time to plan and develop a theme that fits well with one’s lifestyle and budget. Use this as inspiration when decorating the room to create a coherent space that aligns with one's needs. Opting for looks over comfort While style guides can be useful when designing spaces, one must always prioritize comfort over trends. For instance, when coming back home after a long day of work or school, one is likely to want a bed or a sofa that is comfortable to fall into, and not just one that looks stylish. Similarly, it is important to build an ample closet and storage space, instead of relying on a few stylishly arranged racks. Although time-consuming, buying furniture can be a fun process. Work with a budget, test the pieces when possible, and visualize the space to create a space that is pleasing to the eye and comfortable to live in.

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