PLUS… Three Common Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid
Jonathan Stuart
Stuart Luxury Homes
480-797-1300
[email protected]
When remodeling a typical home there are projects that make sense and often others that do not. When determining if a project makes sense for your home there are several key factors to consider. These include if it accomplishes what an owner wants to make their house more livable or upgrades the home per their preferences and also if the project makes financial sense or if it is a necessity due to damage to the home or some item within the home breaking. This article will list five common projects that typically make sense for homes in Arizona, in today’s current real estate environment, and address three common mistakes to avoid when completing those projects.
Five common projects that often make sense in today’s home include kitchen, master bathroom, and backyard remodels, adding or upgrading energy efficient items to your home and adding square footage to a house. These items typically enhance a house if done correctly and can make sense financially if done right. However, each home and project is different which is why before starting on any of these projects consulting with experts including a contractor, realtor and, if needed, an architect is recommended.
The first common remodeling mistake when starting a project is not properly planning for the project. Two major mistakes to avoid regarding planning for a project include not understanding what projects actually cost and not making decisions before a project starts. Most people underestimate the cost of projects and how long they will take. Speaking with professionals will help determine realistic projections of cost and timing which will make your project run much smoother. Making decision before starting will help keep cost from escalating and reduce the time projects take which, therefore, reduces the chances for going over budget and beyond scheduled completion dates which are two of the biggest concerns of owners when thinking about doing a project.
A second common mistake to avoid when remodeling is to over-remodel your property. For example, modernizing a kitchen is a very popular project for many homeowners. This project may include refinishing or getting new cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, appliances or reconfiguring the layout of the kitchen.
The problem of over-remodeling a property is evidenced by the difference in cost recouped between doing a minor kitchen remodel and a major kitchen remodel according the Remodeling 2016 Cost vs Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) which shows cost returns for a minor kitchen remodel of 76.6% versus a major kitchen remodel which has a cost return of 64.4%. This doesn’t mean a major kitchen remodel shouldn’t be completed just that considerations beyond just financial reason should be reviewed before committing to doing a major kitchen remodel. A house is more than just a financial investment but financial commitments still need to be considered before any remodeling project is started.
A third common mistake to avoid when doing a remodeling project is not using licensed and qualified contractor when doing a project. The State of Arizona is one of a few states that has a Registrar of Contractors department which licenses contractors and where you can search to find out if a contractor has had any complainants brought against them. The web-site for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors is https://roc.az.gov and you should look at this to site to check out information on any contractor you may use for a project.
Completing any remodeling project can be either exciting and rewarding or disappointing and filled with problems. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you accomplish what you want done smoothly and you should actually have fun with the process.
If you have any questions regarding remodeling or home building, including the option to receive a free report showing pricing for common remodeling projects done in the Phoenix metro area, please contact Jon Stuart with Stuart Luxury Homes at
[email protected] or 480-797-1300.
