Tips & Trends

5 Common Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Published October, 2025

5 Common Renovations Mistakes &

How to Avoid Them.

Renovating your home is exciting—it’s your chance to improve functionality, refresh outdated spaces, and create a home that truly reflects your style. But without the right planning and guidance, even the most well-intentioned projects can run into avoidable pitfalls. Here are five of the most common renovation mistakes we see homeowners make—and how to sidestep them

1. Underestimating the Budget.

Many homeowners plan for the big-ticket items—cabinets, flooring, countertops—but forget to account for hidden costs such as permits, structural changes, or unexpected issues behind the walls.

How to avoid it: Build in a contingency of at least 10–15% of your budget for surprises. Working with a design-build firm also ensures you get a fixed price upfront, so you won’t be blindsided mid-project.

2. Skipping The Design.

Jumping straight into construction without a detailed design and specifications often leads to costly changes later. Without a clear plan, decisions become rushed, and the final outcome may not align with your vision.

How to avoid it: Invest in the design phase. A well-thought-out plan with drawings and material selections saves time, money, and stress during construction.

3. Choosing Trends Over Timelessness

It’s tempting to design around the latest Pinterest-worthy styles, but overly trendy choices can date your home quickly. What feels fresh today may feel tired in just a few years.

How to avoid it: Incorporate trends in smaller, easier-to-update elements—like light fixtures or paint—while keeping big-ticket items like cabinetry, flooring, and tile more classic and enduring.

4. Overlooking Function for Style

A space can look stunning but fall short if it doesn’t serve your everyday needs. For example, a kitchen with limited counter space or a bathroom with insufficient storage quickly becomes frustrating.

How to avoid it: Think about how you live in your home. Prioritize function, flow, and storage just as much as style when making design decisions.

4. Overlooking Function vs Space.

A space can look stunning but fall short if it doesn’t serve your everyday needs. For example, a kitchen with limited counter space or a bathroom with insufficient storage quickly becomes frustrating.

How to avoid it: Think about how you live in your home. Prioritize function, flow, and storage just as much as style when making design decisions.

5. Hiring the Lowest Bid without Considering Value.

Going with the cheapest quote may seem like a win at first, but it often results in shortcuts, poor-quality work, or ballooning costs later on.

How to avoid it: Look for a contractor or design-build team with strong references, transparent pricing, and a reputation for quality. Remember, value comes from expertise, craftsmanship, and peace of mind—not just the lowest number.

Renovations should feel exciting, not overwhelming. By avoiding these common mistakes and working with an experienced design-build partner, you’ll set your project up for success and enjoy a home that’s both beautiful and functional for years to come.

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