4 Biggest Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
For years, you’ve been dreaming of your perfect kitchen: one that melds great design with seamless function, and acts as a hub for your family and friends to socialise the night away.
Great choice! A kitchen renovation can really elevate the look and feel of your home and give you space to enjoy the things you love.
Don’t get dive in head first, though – even though your heart is set and you’re raring to start, there are still some things to keep in mind. Read and apply our list of renovation mistakes to avoid, and you’ll enjoy a smoother, more efficient process – and are more likely to end up with a kitchen you love.
- Going it alone
By far the biggest mistake homeowners make is choosing to tackle the entire renovation on their own. Not only does this lead to faulty installations and confused designers, it could lead you down the track of wasting money or designing a kitchen that’s way off the mark.
Instead of trying to do everything yourself, speak with a professional.
- They can wrangle complex projects so you don’t have to tear your hair out
- Their industry connections mean you’ll secure great prices
- They can manage timelines and get a few contractors on the job at once, so your kitchen is finished sooner (rather than stretch the process out for months on your own)
- You can spend your time doing what you enjoy!
Of course, your opinion still matters, even when you hire a professional with decades of design experience. You’re the one who will be using the kitchen, so it needs to be right for you.
- Only getting one quote – or not checking the portfolio
This tip relates to hiring your kitchen designer, and to sourcing products and labour for your build. Sometimes when homeowners obtain quotes, they assume the first one they get is the right market value, and they won’t get better anywhere else.
They may be right, but unless they source 3 or 4 unique quotes, how can they know for sure?
- Assuming that cheaper means better
Say you secure four quotes and one comes back significantly cheaper than the rest. That one represents the best value for money – right?
Not necessarily. If the quote is a lot cheaper that anything else on the market, this could be an indication of poor design, shoddy materials, or labour that won’t put the hard yards in to get the most for your renovation.
Instead of seeking the cheapest, instead look for the best value in terms of quality, quantity and design.
- Not having a clear plan before you start
If you’re excited to get cooking in your new kitchen, the temptation can be there to start ripping floorboards up right away.
Instead, developing a clear plan before you start means there’s more chance you’ll love the end result.
A professional designer will help you:
- Plan your design scheme, including colours, styles and finishes for a contemporary or classic look
- Plan your time – they’ll know the best time of year to paint, or the perfect order to complete certain tasks in.
Avoid the biggest pitfalls of taking on a kitchen design project for yourself by speaking to the design team from Apollo Kitchens.
