6 Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
You sure don’t want to experience the disappointment of seeing the long-awaited new home turn out to be renovated in the wrong way. Therefore it’s crucial, especially for first-time homeowners, to learn about major renovation mistakes to avoid before the project is started. This guide on six renovation mistakes that you should avoid will help save you from the makeover pitfalls, so be sure to read on.
1. Thinking that everything will go smoothly
Regardless of how perfectly you and your interior designer have planned the makeover project, you should always expect the unexpected. Admit it or not, there will be a hiccup or two along the way even if it’s just a simple renovation project.
For instance, you might experience work delays because of material or manpower shortages. You’ll also be surprised that sometimes you’ll be facing certain building restrictions which often end up in a change in your plans.
2. Not inspecting your home before and during renovation
It’s true that an interior design company you’ve been hiring will take care of all the makeover-related matters for you, but you must have a good grasp of how your home will look in the end, and it includes paying a visit to your home prior to the renovation work started.
For new BTO/brand new flat owners, do check for HDB flat defects and highlight them early. For resale flats, check with previous owners on things you should take note of about the flat. This step is crucial, so don’t underestimate an initial inspection of your home as it will give you a clearer idea of the spaces available, making it easier for you to arrange things according to their appropriate places as well as determine the best layout for your dream home.
It’s also good to pop by once in a while during the renovation work in progress just to make sure that the design and carpentry work is up to standard. Also, this gives you a gauge if work is done according to the ideal timeline given and to match payments.
3. Prioritising aesthetics over practicality
It’s almost everyone’s dream to live in an aesthetic dwelling with an interior design style of their choice–whether it is the minimalistic Scandinavian, edgy industrial, sophisticated Victorian modern, or the fun and colourful Bohemian.
While it’s irresistible not to follow your passion, you’ve got to start considering some unforeseen consequences by choosing a certain design concept. It has something to do with the fact that some interior design styles require extra maintenance that will be a pain to do regularly in the long run. A certain style also costs much more than the other, so choose wisely.
4. Buying furniture and appliances that don’t fit
For those excited first-timers that have been eyeing some sumptuous furniture to adorn their new home and household appliances to help with the day-to-day chores, think twice before jumping on a shopping spree right away. You don’t want to experience buyer’s regret by purchasing things that don’t even fit in your flat, so it’s important to carefully pick household essentials after getting the measurements right.
5. Forgetting about an emergency fund
When it comes to home renovation, don’t limit your budget to include the makeover costs only. Think about setting up an emergency fund that you may find helpful along the way. This is especially true for those buying a resale home, and an emergency fund you’ve set aside can cover some unexpected situations like repairing and refurbishing old electrical wiring and plumbing. If your contract with the interior designer doesn’t include general cleaning after the work is completed, you’ll find the idea of saving some money for the unexpected a lifesaver.
6. Hiring the wrong interior designer
With countless options for interior design firms in Singapore, homeowners might be overwhelmed in deciding the best interior designer to make their dream home come true. Avoid hiring the wrong interior designer for your project no matter how small it is. We have a complete guide on what to look out for when choosing an interior designer which includes taking into account the company accreditation, value-for-money services, portfolios, and after-sales services, so make sure to check it out.
7. How to steer clear of renovation mistakes
A thorough research prior to the starting day of your home renovation will save you the unnecessary pain of experiencing major renovation mistakes, and one of the best takes on this is none other than choosing a reputable, accredited interior design firm for your home renovation project. GoCompare.sg has curated lists of top interior design companies in Singapore that will cater to your needs. Check out our website and decide on a top interior designer.