How to Avoid the Biggest Remodeling Mistakes

Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Texas? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a free Home Market Analysis so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (254) 690-4321 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

I recently came across a great video from Consumer Reports about home updates and remodels that I just had to share with you.

Did you know that some of the best upgrades to add value to your home are actually some of the smallest ones? Big changes like a new addition won’t always make you all of your money back.

This video is all about seeking the help of professionals when you want to make updates, repairs, or remodels on your home. If you’ve been in your house for more than a few years, odds are that the value of your house could improve with some upgrading or remodeling. 

Now, it doesn’t always have to be expensive, but it’s important that you do it right. In this market, there is a lot of money to be made with the right upgrades.

Whether you want to make your home more valuable because you’re thinking about selling and want to get top dollar, or you just want to add to future resale value, it’s important to avoid falling into a money pit.

In the video, Consumer Reports specifically mentions pools as an over improvement. In many areas around the country, a pool may not provide additional return, depreciating much like a car does. However, in our market, we have seen pools add to a home and put money in the seller's pocket. Having a pool in your own backyard gives you a great area to entertain friends and family at your home and can build years of memories, so having a pool may be worth the investment.

Start by figuring out what you want to accomplish. For most people, that starts with finding out the value of their home at this time. That will go a long way in determining what kind of investment you should make in order to maximize the value of your home for the least amount of money.

For an accurate idea of your home’s value, use our free home market analysis tool. Send info like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a few photos of your home - especially the important rooms like the kitchen and master bedroom - and we can quite accurately predict your home’s selling price, too.

The estimate won’t be perfect, but it will be extremely close. 

We can recommend upgrades or remodels that will bring you the best return on every dollar. As the Consumer Reports video shows, a survey of 300 contractors revealed that homeowners changing their minds in the middle of a job can increase costs by 10%!

Similarly, don’t waste your time with a contractor who isn’t licensed. Accredited contractors are better at keeping the cost to you down when you come across budget overruns. Since many hidden costs come from unseen structural problems, a pre-inspection may be your best bet to help you find out what you’re getting yourself into with a big project. 

Finally, we see that their survey showed that many contractors are, in fact, willing to haggle on an estimate. Your odds are better if you’re a repeat customer or are having work done on multiple rooms.

As an expert in the Central Texas market, I can also help you pinpoint areas of your home that will maximize your return when it comes to upgrades and remodels. I know exactly what buyers in the area want and can tell you exactly where your money is best spent to get the most out of your home. Send me an email, give me a call, or check out our free home market analysis tool to get the conversation started.


I hope to hear from you soon, and good luck!

Make Sure Your Kitchen Renovation Goes Smoothly

Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Texas? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (254) 690-4321 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

For homeowners, at least one kitchen remodeling session is practically inevitable. Unfortunately, almost everyone who’s done it has something they might’ve done differently if they could turn back time. When Consumer Reports asked people who’ve done renovations what they wish they would’ve known before getting started, their regrets included:

• Not paying more attention to the finishing details
• Not starting until everything that was ordered was delivered to the home
• Not knowing the dimensions of the appliances in greater detail

Center islands, in particular, are a hot topic. One common design mistake is making the island too big. The countertop should be big enough to be usable, but not too big for the space. Figure on three feet wide, and no more than 10 feet long. As for depth, you want one that measures at least 26 to 48 inches. That will give you plenty of workspace.

Storage space is another place that’s easy to goof. Carefully plan how much storage you’ll need and where to put it. For instance, dishes and glasses need four to six linear feet of cabinet space above or near the sink and dishwasher. Pots and pans need the same amount of space, and you want to store them near your cooktop.

And don’t forget about your garbage! You want to be able to hide at least a 30-quart bin close to the sink and dishwasher.

Picking the wrong range hood can leave you steaming. To clear the air, a hood should be at least as wide as the cooktop below. Over an island, your hood should be at least six inches wider than the cooktop. As for microwave ovens, some have built-in venting, which can save space. But Consumer Reports tests find that even those that vent best don’t clear steam as well as a good hood.

Another detail that’s often overlooked is lighting. Even the brightest overheads can cast shadows while you’re working. Under cabinet lights brighten the work surface and make cooking easier.

And what do contractors wish homeowners knew before diving into a renovation?

• To always use a licensed contractor
• A general idea beforehand of what things are going to cost
• Changing their mind about what you want is the worst thing you can do

"Changing your mind after the work’s begun can cost you an additional $1,500."

Changing your mind after the work has already begun is definitely one of the most expensive mistakes you can make, according to a survey of almost 3,000 Consumer Report readers. On average, it adds about $1,500 to the cost of a kitchen remodel.

Remember, all it takes to avoid these pitfalls is some careful planning. Also, check Consumer Reports Ratings for money-saving advice on appliances and building materials. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or send me an email.