Embarking on a house refurbishment project can be an exciting yet daunting experience. Whether you’re upgrading a single room or planning a full house refurbishment, proper planning and execution are key to ensuring a smooth process. However, many homeowners make common mistakes that lead to unnecessary stress, delays, and additional costs. In this blog, we highlight some of the most common mistakes made during house refurbishments and how to avoid them.
Common Refurbishment Mistakes
There are many things to consider before renovating your home with appropriate planning essential to a smooth refurbishment. Read on for some of the most common mistakes to avoid ahead of your project.
Underestimating Your Budget & Costs
One of the most frequent mistakes homeowners make is underestimating how much their house renovation will cost. Unexpected expenses can arise, whether it’s due to structural issues, changes in material prices, or additional work required during the project. Many fail to account for hidden costs such as planning permissions, professional fees, and high-quality finishes, leading to financial strain. Without a contingency fund, homeowners may find themselves having to cut corners or halt the project altogether.
Not Allocating Additional Timelines
Many homeowners assume their property refurbishment will be completed within the initial estimated timeframe. However, delays can occur due to weather conditions, material shortages, or unforeseen structural issues. Overly optimistic timelines can result in frustration and disruptions, particularly if temporary accommodation is required. Not factoring in extra time can also lead to rushed decisions and compromises on quality, affecting the overall finish of the refurbished house.
Measuring Incorrectly
Incorrect measurements can lead to ill-fitting furniture, misplaced fixtures, and wasted materials—ultimately increasing costs and delaying your house refurbishment. Homeowners often assume their existing layout aligns with their new designs without verifying dimensions. This can result in expensive errors such as furniture that doesn’t fit, flooring that falls short, or awkward gaps that require additional modifications.
Not Having a Clear Plan
Without a clear plan, homeowners often change their minds midway through the project, leading to wasted resources and extended deadlines. A lack of clarity can cause delays in material orders, labour inefficiencies, and budget overruns. Not having a well-defined vision from the outset can also lead to disjointed designs, making it difficult to achieve a cohesive look and feel for your property renovation.
Overlooking Rules and Regulations
Ignoring local building regulations and planning permissions could result in fines and legal complications. Some homeowners proceed with structural changes or extensions without checking if they require approvals, which can lead to enforcement actions or penalties. Even seemingly minor updates may require compliance with UK building regulations, ensuring safety and adherence to energy efficiency standards.
Choosing a Cheap Contractor
Opting for the cheapest quote can often lead to poor workmanship, delays, and costly repairs in the long run. Some refurb contractors may cut corners on materials, provide vague estimates that lead to hidden costs, or lack the necessary expertise to complete the project to a high standard. Homeowners who focus solely on price rather than quality often face ongoing issues with durability, aesthetics, and safety.
Not Preparing for Disruption
A full house refurbishment can significantly impact daily life. Noise, dust, and limited access to essential rooms can become overwhelming if not anticipated. Many homeowners fail to make alternative arrangements, leading to discomfort, stress, and potential delays if they need to relocate temporarily at short notice. The lack of a well-structured plan to mitigate disruption can make the home renovation period feel chaotic and unmanageable.
Making Last-Minute Changes
Frequent changes can cause delays and additional expenses, often leading to frustration for both homeowners and contractors. When alterations are made late in the project, they may require undoing previous work, ordering new materials, and adjusting labour schedules. This can significantly increase costs and extend the project timeline, creating unnecessary complications.
How to Avoid These Mistakes and Ensure a Smooth Refurbishment
The best way to avoid costly mistakes is to work with a reputable domestic refurbishment specialist that understands the intricacies of house refurbishments. Below are some of the key considerations to ensure your project goes to plan.
To prevent budget overruns:
- Homeowners should obtain detailed quotes.
- Factor in additional costs.
- Set aside a contingency budget of 10-20%.
- Double-check measurements before ordering materials to prevent costly errors.
To avoid exceeding timelines:
- Create a proper and realistic plan of the works and the expected duration.
- Allocate extra time for unexpected delays to help manage expectations, reduce stress and ensure the project stays on track
- Limit last-minute changes by finalising decisions before work begins to help keep the project on schedule and within budget.
To ensure compliance:
- Check requirements on the Building Regulations Approval website or work with an experienced refurbishment contractor to help navigate the complexities of compliance and avoid legal issues.
To minimise disruption:
- Prepare alternative living arrangements for large-scale projects.
- Create temporary functional spaces.
- Plan the renovation in phases.
To guarantee quality:
- Choose an experienced, reputable contractor, rather than focusing solely on cost, to ensure quality craftsmanship and long-term durability.
Conclusion
Refurbishing your home is a significant investment, and avoiding these common mistakes can save you time, money, and stress. Whether you’re planning a small house refurbishment or a large-scale project, having the right professionals on your side makes all the difference.
At Marshels, our experienced team offer expert property renovations, from Edwardian house refurbishment and country house refurbishment to modern renovations and everything in between, ensuring a seamless and professional experience.
Our domestic refurbishment services cover everything from advising on the best types of paint finishes to specialist structural work, ensuring that every detail of your refurbished house meets your expectations. We also offer commercial refurbishment services for business properties, ensuring minimal disruption to your business while enhancing the space.
Marshels provide transparent pricing with our free quotes and our commitment to high-quality workmanship means we have been delivering stunning results for both residential and commercial properties for almost 40 years. Contact us today to discuss your project and ensure a successful refurbishment experience!
