Just like the myth that you can only balance an egg on a full moon, myths exist about home remodeling. But addressing five common misconceptions and putting these myths to rest.
1 | Your project will never come in on-time and on budget.
One of the most common misconceptions is that every remodeling project will always run past the expected finish date. On most televised home remodeling shows, there’s a major cost issue that is overlooked and it pushes back the finish date past what was originally expected. Usually done for the dramatic effect, it makes the show more captivating for the viewers. However, this does not reflect actual home remodels.
While it is true that there are cases where there are unexpected costs and the written schedule is not followed, it is not a frequent occurrence. If you’re working with a good contractor, the cost and timeline should be close to the original prediction in most cases.
2 | Cheaper is always better.
You may have been led to believe that you should always opt for the less-expensive option. Whether this means choosing cheaper materials over a more expensive ones for your countertops, flooring, or even choosing a contractor who offers a lower estimate. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better.
Cheaper materials in your home won’t have the same lifespan as the more expensive options. Just because a contractor is giving you a lower estimate for your home remodeling project than another doesn’t mean it’s the best option. A higher estimate could be due to the remodeling company using their best, honest judgement and giving you a detailed upfront estimate of costs, and not just telling you what you want to hear to make the sale.
You’ll need to use your best judgement in choosing where you want to spend more on materials and where you’d like to save money. What you’re willing to financially put into a home remodel is what you’re going to get out of it. Spending a bit more on experienced professionals and materials in a remodel will result in better quality result and longer lifespan of the remodel.
3 | With kitchen and bathroom remodels, do as much of the work as you can yourself.
While there are plenty of tools out there that try to help you with a DIY, unless you are someone with plenty of experience with kitchen and bathroom remodels, do not attempt to do them on your own. As a longtime Mountlake Terrace remodeler, we’re very aware that there are too many things that could go wrong and lead to very expensive mistakes.
Being able to do electrical and plumbing work can take years of experience to perform the job safely with quality results. There is too much at risk to do this yourself. Stick with the professionals and hire a contractor.
4 | No permits needed!
A common misconception held by many homeowners is you don’t need a permit to do work on your own house. You will need a permit for any construction or home remodeling project. Another benefit of hiring a contractor ensures experienced handling of statutory issues such as planning and permits. Permits are always required and are another way to help ensure your safety.
5 | My home will look like a construction site.
Many homeowners hesitate to initiate a home remodel due to this common myth. If there is any mess, it is the remodeling company’s job to clean up any construction and remodeling debris. Most professional companies are able to contain debris within their workspace. They will also clean up each day so that they aren’t leaving behind anything extra for you to deal with while they aren’t working. The contractor’s reputation is important to their business and how they handle themselves during the home remodeling process and debris management directly reflects on their company.
Ready to take on that remodel? Fill out the contact form and let’s talk! As a certified Mountlake Terrace remodeler, we’re thrilled to help our neighbors achieve their dream homes!