Not only can a full-home renovation boost your property value, it also allows you to design a space to best fit your lifestyle and taste. But if you’re thinking about renovating, there’s a lot you need to consider.
First, of course, is money. According to HomeGuide.com, the average cost of remodeling a house is $20,000 to $100,000, depending on factors like the size of your home, the quality of materials and if any structural changes are needed. And if you run into any snafus, that price will quickly skyrocket. So what are the most costly home renovation mistakes — and how can you avoid them? We spoke with interior designer and HGTV star Emily Henderson to get her best advice.
According to Henderson, there are two main types of expensive renovation errors: design mistakes and splurges that aren’t necessarily worth the cost. The former bucket includes errors like not hiring professional help when you should have or failing to communicate with a general contractor, while the latter involves investing in certain materials, custom features or smart home technology that won’t necessarily add much value to your home.
But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and questioning all of your decisions, don’t worry: Henderson say that’s normal. “Renovating is financially, mentally, emotionally and physically draining. I don’t want to sound negative, but I want people to know going into a renovation, that they’re not alone. And, a few mistakes are inevitable — give yourself a little bit of grace and self love.”
Here, the most common renovation mistakes and how to avoid them, according to Henderson.
What are the most common reno mistakes?
1. Failing to communicate with your contractor.
Henderson says the biggest mistakes can come from a lack of proper communication with a general contractor. “If you fail to properly communicate, that’s on you,” says Henderson. “For contractors, it’s their job to do things fast and affordably — they’re not going to ask you about every detail and they’ll likely make a lot of assumptions to keep the project moving forward. If you want something done a certain way, you have to get ahead of those conversations.”
HOW TO AVOID: Take the time to explain exactly how you want things done, like where a wall-mount faucet should be installed over the sink or where tile backsplash should end. When possible, share drawings and measurements that outline exact specifications.
2. Not hiring a professional for certain projects.
“If you don’t have a job and you love YouTube, you can do a decent amount on your own,” Henderson jokes. But, there are projects that necessitate hiring a contractor — especially when it comes to plumbing. “If your plumbing isn’t done right, you close the walls and tile, then there’s a leak later, you’re stuck renovating again,” Henderson warns.
HOW TO AVOID: If you’re moving walls, electrical, plumbing or an HVAC system, hire help. Many designers we’ve spoken to agree that the one subcontractor you definitely shouldn’t skimp on is a plumber. As for finding the right contractor, Henderson says word of mouth is the best way to go.
3. Over-designing your space.
“I always want people to feel free with color and encourage taking risks and adding creativity in your home, but pretend it’s 20 years from now,” says Henderson. “Ask yourself, ‘do you still love this space?'” Not only are there environmental reasons at play, but you don’t want to renovate your home every 10 years simply because you’re no longer happy with a trendy style.
HOW TO AVOID: “Not every surface — think floors, walls, cabinets or countertops — has to be a design risk,” says Henderson. “Hone in on maybe one or two risks, per room. I’m talking about hard finishes — you can go crazy with art, pillows, accessories and even furniture, since those things can be sold or moved around.”
4. Investing in the wrong rooms.
Don’t invest in a room you’ll never spend much time in (maybe it’s your formal dining room or a rarely used guest room). “It’s really important to design your rooms based on how you want to experience them,” says Henderson.
HOW TO AVOID: Invest the most time, energy and money in rooms where you and your family will be spending the most time. For example, Henderson wanted to ensure her media room would be a space her whole family would love, so she invested in a massive sectional sofa and Samsung’s The Frame TV.
Not sure where to allocate most of your budget? Start with the kitchen. “Even if you don’t care about resale, you’re going to spend so much time in the kitchen,” says Henderson. “I also think the primary bedroom gets highly neglected and it really shouldn’t. If you’re happy with where you sleep, you will be a better person.” Finally, she says, organized storage spaces, like mudrooms or pantries, are worth the money to help avoid daily chaos.
5. Splurging on unnecessary custom features.
Custom cabinetry, built-ins and millwork (think molding and trim) look beautiful, but can be a big investment. “Certain spaces, like the living room, can be elevated through decorating with furniture, art and accessories, so you can invest less in the harder finishes,” says Henderson. “If you’ve sourced vintage furniture and cool artwork that creates conversations and adds a lot of personality, then I don’t know how much your eye is going to clock the custom beading on the baseboard. Whereas in a kitchen, where you have less decorating possibilities, I would dial up the details.”
HOW TO AVOID: Carefully consider your space and how you’ll use it, asking yourself questions like, “How much time will I spend in this space?” Then, take a look at your budget to determine if splurging on custom features is worth the cost to you. Unless you truly have a large budget, Henderson suggests exploring customizable options available at budget-friendly retailers like The Home Depot or IKEA.
What’s the difference between an upgrade and a renovation?
Smaller home improvements, like adding tile backsplash, replacing kitchen faucets or installing light fixtures, qualify as upgrades. Home renovations, on the other hand, are more costly and involve opening up, moving or relocating walls. Once you break down walls, you can open up a lot of potential problems — especially if you’re dealing with an older home. “Once you find those surprises, you can’t unsee them and you’ll have to fix them,” warns Henderson. “If you have the budget and want to invest in your home, you absolutely should renovate,” advises Henderson. “If you can’t, try to do the upgrades.”
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
