How to Avoid Common Renovation Mistakes

Everyone who’s ever tried to redo a kitchen, update a bathroom, or fix some replacement windows on a Tucson, AZ home knows how easy it is to mess up a renovation. The good news is that many common home renovation mistakes are easy to fix and even easier to avoid.

Here are a few simple tips to avoid common failures as you take on your next home project:

• Look Inside and Out for Windows – There are two sides to every window. Make sure any replacement window you buy matches both the inside and the outside of your home. The same goes with window treatments, whether they’re interior shades or exterior shutters. An eclectic use of window and treatment styles can look stylish on the interior but look unplanned from the exterior.
• Consider Clearance – Low clearance ceilings and stairwells lead to headaches, literally. No one wants to hit their head on a doorway or ceiling! Plan for how the space will be used and make sure you have enough clearance before you start a project.
• Blend Any Additions – You don’t want your addition to look like an addition. Just as any addition to a house should blend with the original flow of the floorplan inside, it also needs to blend with the home’s exterior. Be sure to update your siding, paint, windows, and window treatments so the addition is cohesive with the rest of the house.
• Measure Twice, Cut Once – There’s nothing worse than cutting a piece of wood or fabric and realizing you’ve cut it too small. Take your time before making any cuts to be sure your measurements are correct. Also, don’t rely on your memory to hold onto the right measurements. Write all of your calculations and resulting measurements down to be sure they’re right before you make a cut. This same principle applies to measurements that impact an order.
• Measure Space for Opening Doors – Your new kitchen cabinet won’t open all the way because of the refrigerator? The fresh bathroom door hits the closet? If you’re planning to install a new interior or exterior door in your home, be sure to plan for the full sweep of the door and the direction it opens.
• Overestimate Paint – Painting is one of the most impactful and affordable remodeling projects, but you can’t skimp on the number of cans you buy for a few reasons. One, you might not be able to find the same shade in the future, so it’s best to get extra now to have enough for touchups. Two, it usually takes more than one coat to cover existing color, so having extra is never a bad thing.

Even the most experienced homeowners will have a renovation fail at some point in their owning journey. Home renovations can be tough, but you can do it and avoid these common fails. Do you want more renovation tips or information on Tucson, AZ replacement windows? We are here to help! Call or visit us today.