7 home renovation mistakes homeowners should avoid

7 home renovation mistakes homeowners should avoid

Home renovation is a significant task and investment for homeowners. Typically, homeowners have several innovative ideas for ensuring a new look and feel to their homes. However, the end-to-end renovation process requires them to understand their home needs, research current interior design trends, and know their budget limits before proceeding with the activity. Moreover, being aware of some common renovation mistakes can help homeowners make the best decisions and facilitate an esthetic home:

Not opting for good-quality materials
Choosing materials of substandard quality may be an affordable option, but it can cause homeowners to incur huge repair expenses in the long run. Superior-quality renovation materials are durable and do not have to be replaced for long periods. Therefore, it is advisable to check out brands offering home-renovation materials and their prices and opt for the ones that perfectly integrate quality with affordability.

Not knowing one’s budget range and limit
Home renovation typically entails expenses for various activities, including flooring, plumbing, whitewashing or painting, purchasing new furniture, and decorating the home with showpieces and artifacts. Setting a budget range is essential to ensure that one can be prepared with the required amount and does not end up overspending. Homeowners must curate a list of home-renovation activities to be carried out so that a definite cumulative budget can be set accordingly.

Purchasing furniture too early
It is ideal for homeowners to purchase furniture only after the project plans have been finalized and accurate measurements have been taken. Buying furniture before this stage can result in the wrong quantities or dimensions of furniture pieces. It is ideal to purchase new furniture only after the renovation activities have been planned extensively and accurate measurements have been taken.

Overlooking function for esthetics
Another common renovation mistake homeowners make is to focus excessively on esthetics, to the extent of overlooking functionality. The best homes are the ones that strike the perfect balance between utility and esthetics. Every furniture piece and equipment bought for the home must serve a distinct purpose; if not, it classifies as clutter and should not be purchased.

Not hiring a reliable professional
Many homeowners appoint professional interior decorators and architects to renovate their homes. Hiring a professional can help one avail of much-needed guidance and prevent mistakes. However, verifying such professionals’ credentials is crucial, looking for online reviews and testimonials and checking with family members, friends, and neighbors to determine their credibility. In addition, discussing one’s home renovation requirements and ideas with the chosen decorators and architects is a good idea to gauge their knowledge and competence.

Not consulting a general contractor
A general contractor plays an integral role in supervising the renovation project and ensuring its timely completion. Such contractors also hire and coordinate with the professionals involved, ensuring all the required resources are available. It is important to consult a reliable general contractor at the project’s nascent stages to avoid confusion and chaos and receive timely guidance.

Making too many unnecessary changes
While changes are part and parcel of every endeavor, it takes additional time and effort to carry them out along the way. Hence, homeowners must evaluate any suggested changes carefully, understanding their necessity and prioritizing crucial changes over secondary or avoidable ones.

While getting the home renovated, it may be a good idea to examine the strength of the foundation. Upon detecting any issues here, it is important to avoid making mistakes with foundation repair, such as rushing the concrete curing process, planting trees too close to the foundation, and failing to maintain the correct moisture level. Avoiding such mistakes can help in maintaining a damage-free foundation.

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5 easy home improvement hacks to try today

Home improvement projects are exhausting but can be extremely fun if they are thought through and well-researched. If you want to do some renovation or add a new touch to your home, we recommend starting with something small and seeing how far your DIY skills and ambition take you. Of course, the sky’s the limit but let’s start with your door for now. Here are some easy home improvement hacks that you can try. Statement doors This is the first thing anyone notices about your home, so wouldn’t it make sense to work your DIY magic here? Statement doors are a rage right now, and the beauty of it is that while it’s in style, you don’t have to follow any particular style or design. Just go with what resonates with your home decor style. Color it bright, add an expensive door knob, make it look vintage - endless choices to make a statement in your home. Lighting This is very important. Make sure you invest time, money, and energy into adding warmth and ambiance to your home with just the right lighting. The lamps are great; hanging lights are super, too - ensure you can create a comforting and homely vibe. Wouldn’t it be lovely if your guests felt right at home when they visited? Paint color and texture This doesn’t have to be too much. Unless, of course, you are looking to follow any particular theme, a well-painted home does combine everything. If you’re not a fan of any textured walls, pick a pastel, calming color that you can add to your wall. Accessorize the wall with the right paintings, wall hangings, and shelves, and you have an elegant setup. Flooring You’d be surprised at how much character this adds to your home. You can choose several options like wooden, marble, or tiles and decide what theme you would like to go for. Of course, you also must consider factors like budget, cleanliness, accessibility, and such. The marble looks great but costs a fortune! Wood adds a beautiful rustic feel, but it can be prone to termites, or if you live in a humid region, it may spoil the wood. So, pick wisely. Window treatments This is a great idea to add some pop of color to otherwise plain wall paint. You can try out just using bright, bold colors or even look at painting the windows with some design. 

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10 common water heater repairing blunders to avoid

A water heater, an essential appliance in most homes, provides hot water for various tasks such as bathing, cleaning, and cooking. However, like any other appliance, a water heater may experience problems that may require timely repair. Unfortunately, many homeowners make common mistakes during water heater repair that cost them a lot of money. Here are a few such repairing mistakes that one can avoid to extend the longevity and safety of the device. Not turning off the power supply Before one starts any water heater repair, ensure that one has turned off the power supply. Failure to do so can result in electrical shock or major injury. Not draining the tank before repair If one needs to repair the water heater tank, it's crucial to drain it first. This process can remove all the sediment build-up for proper maintenance. Ignoring leaks If one notices any leaks in the water heater, it's essential to fix them as soon as possible. Ignoring leaks can result in severe water loss. Not checking warranty Most warranties cover repairs and replacements for a certain period. Failing to check the same can result in unnecessary expenses that could have been otherwise covered. Not replacing the anode rod The anode rod is a vital component of the water heater that protects the tank from corrosion. Failure to replace the anode rod can cause the tank to rust, resulting in costly repairs or replacement. Over-tightening connections Over-tightening connections during water heater repair can cause the fittings to crack or break, leading to leaks and other issues. Not checking the thermostat The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature of the water heater. Failure to check the thermostat can result in the appliance not working correctly, leading to higher energy bills. Not leaving space around the heater Not leaving enough space around the water heater can cause overheating and potential fire hazards. Ensure there are at least two feet of clearance space around the appliance. Not testing the relief valve The pressure relief valve is responsible for preventing the water heater tank from exploding. Failure to test the valve can result in a hazardous situation. Improper installation Improper installation of a water heater can cause numerous issues, including leaks, malfunctions, and safety hazards. Preventative maintenance can go a long way in extending the lifespan of a water heater and reducing repair costs. It's advisable to follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines when repairing the device. If one is unsure about any repairs, it's best to contact a professional plumber.

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