Are you considering ways to save some money on your home renovation? If so, you may be thinking about DIY home improvements. Handling some of the key processes on your own is one of the best ways to execute a budget-friendly renovation, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, the DIY approach can be risky. Unless you’re an interior design professional, there’s a big chance of committing a mistake that will ruin the outcome. Some errors are fairly common but the good news is that they can be overcome.
When you’re in charge of the renovation, you’ll probably feel tempted to cut corners. Saving on materials, reducing the quantities required to complete a certain job or going for a cheaper alternative may seem like a good way to spend less on home improvements.
Cutting corners, however, will often lead to serious problems down the line.
There are standards in the fields of construction and renovation and these standards aren’t arbitrary. The quantity and characteristics of the materials you’re going to use need to match the task at hand. Otherwise, you could compromise the structural integrity of the flat or get a result that will show signs of damage in a very short time period. We did an article about the high-low approach to home interior design and home renovation, check it out.
If you don’t know which processes and materials are best, consult Singaporean interior design professionals. Working with experts will help you reduce unnecessary expenditure while following industry standards in the areas that require such an approach.
This is another fairly common issue that stems from the lack of knowledge.
Many home owners choose interior design improvements on the basis of their research. They check out Pinterest and interior design magazines. They take a look at home décor store displays. Hence, these homeowners are likely to choose trendy solutions that aren’t always optimal.
The truth is that good-looking interior design choices aren’t always functional.
It’s very important to think about your lifestyle and how you’re actually going to be using a space. When you keep these considerations in mind, you’ll find it much easier to pick the solutions that will enhance your home instead of just making it pretty.
This is where a very experienced home interior design company like Home Guide is a good choice, we have enough experience on how to have the best of both worlds.
Renovating for the sake of renovating can lead to waste and mediocre result. This mistake usually involves cosmetic upgrades that don’t add a lot of value to the home.
Adding extra storage units to a room, for example, is a great improvement that you should definitely consider. Installing expensive wall treatments, on the other hand, isn’t going to always yield the result you’re hoping for (especially if you don’t back such a change by additional upgrades like replacing old flooring).
Certain aspects of home renovation necessitate a precise amount of time to be completed. Concrete, for example, takes about 28 days to fully cure (regardless of the fact that it will be dry enough to walk on within 24 to 48 hours).
People who don’t understand such technical characteristics and the qualities of materials can rush through a home improvement, compromising the final quality.
Experience, deep knowledge of technical guidelines and sticking to established procedures will contribute to better results down the line.
If you’re carrying out the renovation on your own, make sure you know how much effort and cost each step actually takes. Even if you’re pressed for time, don’t try to rush through essentials. If you do, you’ll probably have to carry out time-consuming and very costly fixes later on.
When it comes to measurements, you can’t just wing it.
This applies to measuring out materials, coming up with design plans (for tiling or hardwood flooring calculations) and even for the selection of the right furniture for your new home.
Sloppy measurements or just trying to eye things can lead to disaster just like the other mistakes mentioned in the guide so far.
Once again – there are standards when it comes to mixing construction materials, tiling or determining how much hardwood flooring you’re going to need. Anything less than the gold standard will compromise the quality of the renovation.
Here’s one final error that non-professionals are often guilty of.
Interior designers and renovation contractors usually follow careful plans when buying materials and supplies. They stick to the preliminary concept and only acquire the stuff that’s necessary to bring the concept to reality.
Homeowners who work on DIY renovations will often be tempted to buy items that aren’t a part of the original plan. This way, they’ll be spending way too much and potentially getting items that don’t match the overall renovation concept.
If you’re working on a DIY renovation, come up with a careful shopping list that features materials, supplies and requires quantities. Stick to the list when shopping in order to avoid impulse purchases along the way.
Here’s one final thing to keep in mind – a DIY renovation isn’t always more budget-friendly. Hiring professionals can give you an exceptional outcome at a fraction of the DIY cost if you don’t feel like this is the case, contact Home Guide now. We will create a personalized project concept that’s in line with both your vision and your budget.
