9 renovation mistakes

Mismeasuring for Cabinets

This is one of the costliest mistakes. “People buy kitchen cabinets, have them installed, then realize their fridge doesn’t fit,” says Jonathan. The fail-safe: Measure and remeasure.  ‘Measure 10 times and cut once.’ Print out specs for the appliances you’re using and compare them to the plans for the cabinets with the cabinet installer.

Choosing the Cheapest Contractor

“The lowest bid never equals the best job,” we recommend bringing in at least three contractors and getting written estimates from each. “Some give cheap quotes just to get the job, then tack things on or cut corners and install low-quality products.” The written estimate should include details (e.g., exact cabinets, hardware, flooring, and install costs, not just “new room”), and an explanation of how design changes are handled. If your estimate doesn’t include these, the contractor is either not very thorough or he’s underestimating the project. Make sure your chosen contractor is professional, easy to talk to, and goes that extra mile to give you the best result. Check on the internet if the contractor has an office, a website, and an email address. These are good signs. Is the quotation professional, complete with great details? Also a good sign. Paying a little bit extra always gives you more value.

Avoid upcoming problems and/or scams

It is common in Thailand that the full payment is divided into two or three-part payments. This is fair for both buyer and the contractor. a 50/50 split is most common for smaller amounts, around 10-99.000 thousand THB. If the total amount exceeds a certain sum, like 100.000 or more a fair split would be 40/40/20 to be paid “Before work starts, midterm, and when finished and approved by the customer”. NEVER pay up 100% before work starts. The cheapest offer you get is always suspicious, especially if it is “too” cheap. Here is what could happen and often do: You chose the cheapest alternative, being a cheap Charlie. The contractor starts to work. After the contractor worked for a while he/she tells you that money is not enough to complete the work done. You oppose this, of course since you have an agreement. This will end up with the contractor leaving and never coming back. They did work already with a good profit. Nothing you can do about that. Now you need to get a new contractor which is not easy. Serious contractors do not want to take up a job done by someone else, to risky. If you manage to find someone willing to complete the job then do not be a Cheap Charlie again, you could end up with the same problem one more time. In all, you probably by now have to pay more than you would have if you chose the more expensive offer at the beginning.

Lowballing Your Budget

Surprises inevitably pop up and then snowball during a renovation. “Say you’re installing a backsplash: You might damage the wall and have to replace some of the drywall. Then you see inside the drywall and find electrical issues, and before you know it, you’re dealing with more than just a new backsplash,” says Drew. “I always tell people to set aside 15% of the total project cost more for older homes for unexpected expenses.”

Underestimating costs

Most jobs will cost more and take longer than you expect, so always add 20 percent to what you think a project will total when budgeting If you don’t have the funds, cut the job back. If you happen to beat these projections, then your surprises are happy ones.

Expect everything to go according to plan

Work on older buildings can yield a lot of unforeseen events. Who knows what’s behind that wall you’re opening up? New construction is more controlled, but that doesn’t always mean smooth sailing. Be prepared for the unexpected. It’s a human failing. “We all hope and pray everything goes according to plan.”

Insisting on Granite Countertops

True, it’s a popular pick, but granite isn’t the only option for the kitchen. “Choosing a different material for the countertops can save you more money than anything else in the kitchen. Nongranite picks butcher block, plate steel, or a nice laminate. “Laminate is less durable than a solid-surface counter, but some choices look a lot like real granite.”

Making your Kitchen Too Trendy

“The bolder your kitchen, the quicker it will go out of style, bringing down your home’s resale value”. Other kitchen choices you may later regret: overdoing it on appliances (wine chiller, double oven, rice cooker) at the expense of storage and counter space, and shoving an island in when there’s not enough room. “If your space doesn’t allow for at least 36 inches of clearance between the island and the other cabinets, skip it.”

Contractor advise

Unless you are not a skilled renovator yourself, always listen to the contractor on how things are the best way to do. Trying to be on top of the contractor could end up in the contractor not being willing to correct mistakes and/or not even bothering to send you a quotation.