Even with the best of intentions, sometimes home renovation projects end up going way wrong. That’s exactly what happened to one HGTV host—and now she’s sharing her biggest renovation mistake with the world so that others can learn from her mistakes and avoid them in their own homes. So what went wrong? Read on to find out!
Inexperience
If you’re inexperienced with home renovations, it’s easy to make mistakes. And even if you’re experienced, accidents can happen. That’s why it’s always important to have a plan and be prepared for the worst. Follow these steps when you start your renovation:
- -Draw up a budget
- -Get estimates from multiple contractors
- -Set clear goals
- -Choose projects that are time efficient
Going it alone
Whether you’re planning a small refresh or a full-scale gut renovation, it’s tempting to try and tackle the project solo. After all, you’re probably pretty handy and you’ve watched enough HGTV to know what you’re doing, right? Wrong. As host of Help! I Wrecked My House, I’ve seen firsthand the biggest mistake people make when renovating their homes: going it alone.
Bad timing
One of the worst things you can do when renovating your home is start without a clear plan or timeline. This can lead to costly mistakes, missed deadlines, and unmet expectations. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself in over your head before you know it. Plus, there’s always that chance that unforeseen problems will pop up during the process. When this happens, hiring professionals will get expensive quickly – so it’s important to set yourself up for success by hiring them from the beginning if possible.
No plan
One of the worst mistakes you can make when renovating your home is not having a plan. Without a plan, you can easily end up spending too much money, taking too long, and making decisions that you later regret. Always create a sketch of what you want the room to look like with notes on what each space will be used for. Be specific so that you know if something doesn’t work.
Not sticking to your budget
If you’re not careful, home renovations can quickly get out of hand. Help! I Wrecked My House host Alison Victoria knows this better than anyone. In a recent interview, she revealed her biggest home renovation mistake: not sticking to her budget.
Ignoring your contractors
If you’re renovating your home, the worst mistake you can make is ignoring your contractors. They know what they’re doing, and if you don’t listen to them, you could end up with a disaster on your hands.
Trying to fix everything yourself
HGTV host Mina Starsiak Hawk knows a thing or two about home renovations. After all, she’s the star of the show Help! I Wrecked My House. But even she has made a mistake or two along the way. Her biggest? Trying to fix everything herself: I don’t recommend trying to do this all on your own, she says. Especially if you’re not trained. The hosts of HGTV’s Handyman Wars can attest: They competed in order to find the best handyman in America and with their help, Mina was able to get her house back in shape.
Taking on too much at once
When it comes to home renovations, it can be tempting to try and take on too much at once. After all, you want to get the most bang for your buck, right? WRONG. Trying to do too much at once is almost always a recipe for disaster. Just ask Rachael Ray – host of HGTV’s Help! I Wrecked My House.
