Quick, Cheap & Easy Home Remodeling: Myths…Busted!

9 Common Home Remodeling Myths

What are the most common home remodeling myths?

Nine Home Remodeling Myths

1.  Remodeling is Quick
   
2. Remodeling is Easy
   
3. Remodeling is Inexpensive
4. You Can D.I.Y
   
5. Everything Goes According to Plan
6. The Lowest Bid is Best
   
7.  Inexpensive Materials are a Better Value
   
8.  It Will Always Cost More Than Quoted
   
9.  Remodels Always Go Over Schedule

Nine Common Home Remodeling Myths

Quick, Cheap & Easy Home Remodeling

Myth #1: Remodeling is Quick

I love HGTV! I’m a huge fan. But, what you don’t see on television really counts. Every edit is time spent working.  It is simply impossible to completely renovate a home in a half hour. Behind the scenes there are teams of contractors working around the clock to make the magic happen.

It also takes time and patience from clients. Unfortunately, home remodeling is messy (sometimes really messy), and inconvenient at best.

Just remember, you are making your everyday better going forward.

Myth #2: Remodeling Is Easy

If remodels were super easy, everyone would just do it themselves!

D.I.Y Home Remodeling

There are several factors to consider when deciding to hire a professional for your home remodeling project vs DIY. There is a financial commitment and appropriate time must be dedicated to your project.

Remodeling Can Be Stressful

Even if you have the best home remodeling contractor (like us!) there will be some inconvenience. Nobody will tell you how when your new kitchen cabinetry is being installed, you’ll wash breakfast bowls in your bathroom sink and become addicted to Grub Hub or Uber Eats. Maybe that is not so bad for a day or two, but you will certainly feel put out a week in. The good news is that the discomfort is only temporary, and pain fades over time.

Myth #3: Remodeling Is Inexpensive

There tons of articles out there about budget remodeling. The fact is that you just can’t remodel an entire kitchen for $1500 so be realistic about your budget and know what factors influence the total pricing.

A remodel might even cost twice what you think!

Did you ever see a project management or design fee pop up on a home renovation show? Labor costs? Because these things and (even labor sometimes) are not factored into the costs shown.

Materials                             

Materials selected for your home remodeling project will make up a significant portion of your total budget. The pricier the materials the more the budget goes up. But the inexpensive materials aren’t always your best bet either (see next Myth). They could be even more difficult to work with for your Contractor, costing you more in labor, which could wipe out your savings and leave you with a lower quality product. Your Contractor will be a knowledgeable resource for material selections and product recommendations that will fit your style and keep your budget on track.

Labor

Contractor labor will make up the other portion of the project cost. Talk to your contractor about the labor costs and work involved with each project. Research or ask questions about the construction process and understand the work needed to get the results you want. Most Contractors will be happy to explain what is needs to happen in what order. Different Contractors will recommend different materials and may use different processes to achieve the same result so ask questions and do your homework.

Myth #4: You Can D.I.Y

If you are considering remodeling your own home be realistic about the commitment. Ask yourself these questions:

• How long will it take to research the skill, tools, and materials?
• How much will the tools cost?
• How many hours/weekends will it take to complete your project?
• Is this going to be a point of tension with your spouse, family, or roommate?

Spending time working on your own remodel creates an opportunity cost. This creates a loss of the time and energy that you could dedicate elsewhere in your life, like earning income or spending time with loved ones.

Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that anyone can learn any skill. The only catch is, to acquire skill it takes time, patience, and practice. You can learn how to do most any kind of home improvement or repair on YouTube but there is efficiency gained through experience.

In other words, if you hire someone who has that experience you will likely end up with a higher quality product in less time. And time is money.

Myth #5: Everything Goes Exactly According to Plan

Expect the unexpected!

Obviously, a good solid plan and a thorough assessment are must-have. But, there is really no way to completely prepare for what may be lurking in your walls. Expect a surprise, or two. Even in a “new” home, you can have problems crop up. A small, slow drip over years, undetected pests, or substandard workmanship are just a few of the surprises we commonly encounter.

Pad Your Budget

The other way to prepare for the unexpected in a home remodel is to budget for it. Add an appropriate percentage to your total budget for those unexpected expenses based on the age and condition of your home.

Myth #6: The Lowest Bid is the Best

If a group of contractors offers bids on a project and they possess the same level of skill the bids should be the same right?

You certainly don’t want to pay more than you should. But, each contractor may calculate their bids a little differently. What exactly does your bid include? Do a side by side comparison. Why is one bid higher than another?

Beware of something that seems too good to be true. It will end up costing you more either in process or by repairing defects and poor workmanship later.

Myth #7: Inexpensive Materials Are a Better Value

Materials and finishes that look high-end with a discount price tag aren’t always the better value. They may look the same but the quality will be different.

These faucets are the same brand, same style, different finish. What is the difference between these two faucets?

(Besides the price tag?)

One is made of mirrored plastic and one is made of metal and brass. Which one do you think would last longer? And, how much will it cost you several years from now to purchase the better quality fixture and pay a plumber to install? In this case, purchasing the better quality material pays off in the end.

The second, most common, reason why you would see two of the ‘same’ fixtures with different prices is that the less expensive fixture will not include the valve and the more expensive fixture will.

Myth #8: It Will Always Cost More Than Quoted

Remember those changes and additions that were made in process? Maybe you added a shower niche at the last minute, designed custom deck railings that weren’t included in the bid, or decided to paint during the project. Extra work takes extra time, which also applies to any unforeseen conditions. These “Easter Eggs” frequently include framing, subfloor replacement, undetected leaks or plumbing issues, and pests like termites.

Also, you may fall into the trap of overspending your materials budget by upgrading in process. The hand-painted tile you absolutely fell in love with, the chef-quality range, and designer pendants that weren’t in your budget all add up quickly.

First, Create a budget and don’t vary from that set amount. Then, Stick to your plans.

Myth #9: Remodels Always Go Over Schedule

Most professional contractors are very punctual and reliable. And, we do want to finish your job on schedule. Contractors want to work efficiently and Clients want their bathroom back! On time work makes everyone happy.

The key to creating an accurate estimate of time for a project depends greatly on the communication with your home remodeling contractor. Discuss what work is required up front, progress along the way, and make adjustments for changes.

Ensure that the scope of the project is clear. If a change is requested, (small projects added, plan and material changes, for example) it can be a big factor in a job going over schedule.