Remodel Mistakes: Avoid These Common Remodel Headaches

If you’re planning a big remodel for your home, you should be thinking about what could go wrong, as well as what you want to go right. Renovations are almost never completely stress-free, but taking a few proactive extra steps will reduce your remodel headaches and streamline the process for you and your contractor.

Avoid the Most Common Remodel Mistakes

If you’ve recently decided to renovate your space, it can be hard to ignore the instinct to get it all done right away. The happiest and longest-lasting renovations require some time and planning before you break ground. You can’t control everything that happens during a big renovation, but there are a few common mistakes you can easily avoid with a little foresight.

Make sure to create a realistic budget for your project.
Buy and measure appliances first!
Don’t buy your materials piecemeal - try to purchase as much as you will need in one go.
Invest in timeless finishes and furnishings that you like (don’t just go off what’s trending).
Nurture your relationship with a trusted contractor to help you get the job done.
Don’t underestimate the power of good lighting.

Following these guidelines as you plan and execute your renovation will help you avoid common pitfalls and fall even more in love with your new space.

Don’t Fall in Love with a Renovation You Can’t Afford

Knowing your comfortable budget for your renovation will reduce stress and make the process more satisfying for you in the long run. It can be tempting to splurge on high-end materials for every aspect of your new space, but most homeowners don’t have the budget to optimize everything.

Instead, choose a few priorities that you want to invest in, and try to cut costs elsewhere. Are you passionate about hardwood cabinets? Are natural stone countertops a must-have for your kitchen? Can’t live without a large fridge for your family? Name your priorities at the beginning of the renovation, and make room in your budget by reducing costs elsewhere.

Learn our best tips for reducing extra costs in your renovation, and find out which parts of your renovation you should never skimp on.

Skip the Butcher Block Fad

Butcher block is taking over the design world in both modern and traditional kitchens. Though it looks beautiful, this countertop material comes with strings attached.

Butcher block lasts less than half as long as natural stone (at best).
It requires regular maintenance in order to stay in good shape (add butcher block oiling to your list of monthly cleaning tasks).
Butcher block quickly accumulates scratches, scrapes, and heat damage if it’s not properly protected.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, long-lasting countertop material for your kitchen, look to natural stone alternatives instead. If you still really love the look of butcher block, consider incorporating it into a smaller space, like a peninsula or an island.

Avoid the Trendy Trap in Your Bathroom

Trends are two-faced when it comes to your kitchen renovation. Though it can be tempting to jump on a new fad for your renovation, think twice before investing in the latest fad. Before you spend money on a trend, ask yourself these three key questions:

Is it expensive?
Is it time-consuming to take care of?
Is it permanent?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you might want to rethink that trend for your space.

Avoid trends by investing in timeless design features. These include natural materials like wood and stone, as well as design “trends” that have become classics as they’ve resurfaced over the years. Most importantly, always stick to designs that YOU like. This is the best way to ensure you’ll still love your space in a few years.

Avoid Cracks and Chips in Your Natural Stone Surfaces

Natural stone surfaces are durable and easy to take care of, so they’re a great choice for busy households. Accidents still happen, though, and you might find yourself damaging your countertop by accident down the line. You can’t prevent every countertop chip or scratch, but follow these tips to avoid damaging your countertop permanently.

Make sure to talk to your contractor about whether your countertop needs seams and how they’ll look when the project is finished.
Discuss chip-resistant edge styles. Some of our favorites include:
- Straight edge
- Full bullnose edge
- Beveled edge
- Pencil roll edge
- Waterfall edge
- Ogee edge
Take care of your stone countertop to the best of your ability by using the right cleaning agents.
Always wipe up spills as soon as they happen
Protect your countertop with hot pads and cutting boards.

Taking the right precautions can maximize the lifespan of your stone countertop.

Don’t Buy a Countertop Based on a 3x3 Sample

Material samples are handy — they help you see and feel the materials you’ll use for your renovation before you make a large purchase. That said, they don’t always give you all the information you need to buy materials for your renovation. Before you purchase a countertop based on a 3x3 sample, make sure to ask yourself a few questions about where you’re at in your project:

Have you picked out paint, flooring, and cabinets yet? (Pro tip: choose these features before you select a countertop to tie it all together.)
Is your plumbing all squared away?
Does the sample accurately reflect the finish you want for your countertop?

Ask your contractor if there’s a way to see your countertop on a larger scale before it shows up in your home. For example, we always make sure we take renovation customers to see the surfaces in person before they make their purchase.

Avoid Stains and Scratch in Your Natural Stone Countertop

Though natural stone countertops are one of the most durable choices for your kitchen or bathroom, they can still accumulate minor damage over the years. Here are some quick tips to prevent stains and scratches:

Clean correctly: Make sure to clean your countertops with warm water and mild soap. Only non-porous surfaces like quartz and porcelain are safe for chemical cleaning products.
Steer clear of DIY: If you do happen to stain or damage your countertop, beware of DIY fixes. They can end up doing more harm than good.
Contact the pros: Ask your contractor to help sort out any accidental stains and scratches. We can repair and reseal almost any minor countertop damage.

Investing a little bit of time into your natural stone countertop will extend its lifespan and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.

Match Your Maintenance Preferences

All natural stone countertops have pros and cons when it comes to maintenance.

Granite is popular for its look and durability, but it’s more limited in styles and textures than other stones.
Marble, like granite, is a solid stone, so it’s resistant to heat damage, but it cracks and chips much more easily than granite.
Quartz is made up of crushed stone and resin, so it holds up well to chip damage but NOT to heat.
Porcelain is heat-resistant and doesn’t scratch or chip easily, but it’s pretty limited to stamped patterns.

If your goal is a low-maintenance countertop, your best options are quartz, granite, or porcelain.

Get Started on Your Renovation

Now that you know which mistakes to avoid in your renovation, you’re all set to get started! Your first step is to schedule a no-commitment countertop design meeting with one of our natural stone professionals today.