Renovated a bathroom without planning properly. Went 40% over budget, took twice as long, discovered plumbing nightmares mid-project. Should’ve planned better.
Define What You Actually Want
Vague goals cost money. “Update the kitchen” means nothing. Specific: new cabinets, replace counters, keep existing layout, add island. Write it down. Prioritize.
Needs versus wants. Need: functional sink. Want: farmhouse copper sink. Know the difference before the budget disappears.
Budget Reality
Whatever you think it costs, add 20%. Unexpected problems always appear. Old houses especially – open a wall and find something wrong.
Get actual quotes, not internet estimates. Your specific house, your specific area. Regional costs vary wildly.
Permits Exist for Reasons
Electrical, plumbing, structural – these need permits. Unpermitted work creates problems when you sell. Inspections catch dangerous mistakes.
Skipping permits to save money is shortsighted. Do it right.
Timeline Expectations
Everything takes longer than quoted. Materials get delayed. Subcontractors have conflicts. Weather happens. A month becomes two. Accept this upfront.
Living Through It
Kitchen reno means no kitchen for weeks. Plan how you’ll eat. Bathroom reno when you only have one bathroom – that’s a gym membership for showers.
Dust gets everywhere even with plastic barriers. Nothing stays clean during construction.
Contractor Selection
Three quotes minimum. Check references – actually call them. Licensed and insured isn’t optional. Cheapest bid often becomes most expensive when things go wrong.
Good contractors are booked months out. Start the search earlier than you think.
