There’s no way to guarantee a hassle-free remodeling project. However, you can avoid the majority of hidden cost headaches by staying away from these seven home remodeling mistakes:

Neglect your homework. Start with an unrealistic budget. Or no budget at all.

Try to do everything yourself. Homeowners who are surprised by the estimates they get from contractors often decide the best way to cut costs is by doing the work themselves. Less accomplished do-it-yourselfers usually run into problems they never expected. They figure out halfway through that they can’t do it themselves and then call in a professional. Unfortunately it ends up costing even more than if had they just called the contractor in the first place.

Hire the contractor who gives you the lowest bid. Cost is important, but it’s not the only factor in hiring a contractor. You should hire someone you have confidence in and feel comfortable with. The best choice is a contractor who’s licensed and insured, and who has worked in your community for a number of years without a bunch of angry customers filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

Disregard the effect on your property values. On average, every dollar you spend remodeling a bathroom, replacing windows or finishing a basement will add about 70 cents to your home’s resale value. Naturally some projects add more value than others. That doesn’t mean you should automatically reject improvements that don’t yield a big return on your investment. If granite countertops or a sunroom add to the beauty and enjoyment of your home, go for it. Just do so with a full understanding of how those changes will influence your home’s resale value. If you’re not sure how a project might influence your property value, ask a real estate agent.

You want your home to reflect your individual taste, but some changes are more permanent than others. You may love fuschia and golf, but combining them for your bathroom tile theme is bound to be a decision you’ll regret. Use towels and throw pillows to make a statement. Neutral colors and patterns are a better choice for walls and fixtures — they’ll go the distance, and you’ll be less likely to get tired of them.

Make changes that contrast with your home’s style. Incongruent alterations – such as building a modern addition to a classic farmhouse – will only detract from your home’s beauty. Changes that are out of sync with other homes in the neighborhood also can create a bad impression when you want to sell.

Leaving a project half-done is worse than never starting it. It hurts the beauty and value of your home and makes it less enjoyable to live there. The problem is almost always money. Watch out for the four major reasons homeowners run out of cash:

• An unrealistic budget
• Unexpected problems that add thousands of dollars to the original cost.
• A contractor who does poor work and leaves you in the lurch.
• Expensive changes you make in the middle of the project.

If you’re thinking about a home improvement project, we would like to help! Contact us to discuss your project and get a free estimate from the experts at Home Comfort Company.

Photo courtesy of Ponsulak