6 Home Renovation Tips To Cut Costs, Avoid Stress and Boost Resale Value
Written by
Emily Fowler
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Who hasn’t watched a home remodeling show and decided their house needed an overhaul? Those shows are great entertainment and can make home reno projects look simple, but often the process is anything but! While DIY projects once seemed like the ultimate way to cut expenses, home renovations can come with unexpected costs.
Platinum Homebuilders surveyed 1,000 homeowners who remodeled within the past three years, and the findings were clear. Even with careful planning, surprises popped up in the form of budget blowouts, stress and regret.
Here are the six lessons homeowners say would have saved them money and stress.
Pay Pros Instead of DIY
DIY projects can look easy online, but the reality could be different. Mistakes are expensive, and fixing them often costs more than hiring a professional from the start. Hiring pros may not feel as cost effective at first, but it was the number one lesson homeowners wished they knew, according to 41% of survey respondents.
Double Budget and Timeline
Renovations consistently take longer and cost more than planned, and with tariffs expected to cause the price of essentials like appliances and materials to rise, overrunning on both is likely. thirty-seven percent of homeowners in the survey admitted they wished they’d increased their expectations of how long their projects would take and how much they’d cost.
Get Every Detail in Writing
With 36% reporting that labor costs ran over budget, it points to gaps in quotes and unclear expectations. That’s backed up by 34% that said they’d make sure to get every detail in writing if there was a next time. A detailed contract that specifies materials, payment schedules and deadlines leaves less room for conflict and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Vet Contractors Carefully
With over a quarter of respondents regretting their contractor choice, careful vetting makes all the difference. Reviews, references and upfront questions about process and communication can reveal how reliable a contractor will be once the project begins.
Think Beyond Trends
Nearly a quarter of homeowners (23%) said trendy designs were a regret. While they may look like a good idea when influencers show them off on TikTok or Instagram, they’re likely to age quickly and be replaced by the next new fad. According to The Spruce, chasing short-lived trends can even lower resale value.
Plan With Resale in Mind
That same concern about resale value carried over into broader renovation decisions. Even when selling is years away, renovations affect long-term property worth. Upgrades that focus on function and have broad appeal stand a better chance of paying off when it’s time to sell.
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