What not to do when renovating?

When renovating, don't skip planning or budgeting for contingencies, hire the cheapest contractor without checking references, ignore building codes, buy finishes before plans are final, or compromise on essential hidden elements like plumbing and electrical. Also, avoid being too trendy, making constant changes, or sacrificing function for looks; focus on quality, clear communication, and protecting your belongings.

What is the 30% rule for renovations?

The 30% Rule is a simple budgeting guideline that says you should never spend more than 30% of your home's value remodeling any single space. For example: If your home is worth $300,000, your maximum budget for a major kitchen remodel would be about $90,000.

What are common renovation mistakes?

A common renovation mistake is making errors when calculating your measurements or dimensions. Addition or multiplication errors can happen easily, even with a calculator, but they can cost you big time. Always triple check your measurements to be sure you purchase the right sized appliances, countertops, and flooring.

What should you not say to a builder?

Seven Things to Never Say to a Contractor

• Never Tell a Contractor They are the Only One Bidding on the Job. ...
• Don't Tell a Contractor Your Budget. ...
• Never Ask a Contractor for a Discount if You Pay Upfront. ...
• Don't Tell a Contractor That You Aren't in A Hurry. ...
• Do Not Let a Contractor Choose the Materials.

What is the hardest room to renovate?

The hardest room to renovate often comes down to kitchens and bathrooms, thanks to their technical complexity and the coordination required between multiple trades. However, other spaces like basements and open-concept conversions can also pose significant challenges.

I Sent My WIFE Away to Build Her DREAM

What is the 3 5 7 rule in interior design?

The 3-5-7 rule in interior design suggests grouping decorative items in odd numbers (three, five, or seven) to create more visually appealing, dynamic, and balanced vignettes than even-numbered groupings. It works by using varying heights, shapes, and textures within these groups, guiding the eye naturally through the arrangement, whether on shelves, mantels, or coffee tables, making spaces feel more curated and less static.
 

Is $50,000 enough to renovate a house?

A $50,000 budget can cover updates to one or two areas of your home, like a kitchen or a basement, but it's usually not enough for a whole-home remodel. It's important to prioritize your projects and focus on the spaces that will give you the most value and enjoyment.

What is the 20/20 rule in construction?

The 20-20-20 rule in construction safety is a simple practice to boost situational awareness and prevent accidents: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look 20 feet around your work area, actively searching for potential hazards and evaluating them to ensure a safer environment for yourself and others. It combats complacency by encouraging regular pauses to notice changes, like new equipment, materials, or worker interactions, that could create risks, helping workers identify, evaluate, and control dangers proactively. 

What ruins an appraisal?

Even if issues aren't “major,” neglect adds up and affects marketability and value: Worn flooring or damaged walls. Deteriorated exterior siding. Outdated mechanical systems. Broken appliances.

How to avoid being ripped off by contractors?

How Can I Avoid Getting Scammed by a Contractor?

1. Contact your insurance company to file a claim BEFORE you hire a contractor. ...
2. Make sure the contractor you hire for home repairs is legitimate. ...
3. Know the warning signs of a shady business. ...
4. Get an estimate from at least three different contractors. ...
5. Get a written contract.

What devalues a house the most?

5 things to avoid that can devalue your home

1. Rough renovations. Renovation projects are likely the first thing that comes to mind when people think about increasing equity. ...
2. Unusual renovations. ...
3. Extreme customization. ...
4. An untidy exterior. ...
5. Skipped daily upkeep.

What is the 3x4 kitchen rule?

The 3x4 kitchen rule is a design guideline suggesting three main work zones (cooking, cleaning, storage) each have a dedicated countertop area of about 4 feet, creating an efficient workflow, often visualized within the classic "kitchen triangle" (sink, stove, fridge) for optimal movement and organization, minimizing clutter and wasted steps. It's about having distinct spaces for prep, cooking, and cleanup to prevent cross-contamination and make tasks flow smoothly, making even small kitchens more functional. 

What not to skimp on when building a house?

Home Construction – 5 Essential Parts You Shouldn't Skimp On

• Base Materials. When you are budgeting your home construction, you should always ensure you're spending the required amounts for your base material. ...
• Wiring. ...
• Plumbing. ...
• Insulation. ...
• Footers on Home Construction.

Is $100,000 enough to renovate a house?

A: Yes, $100,000 is enough to renovate a house — especially when you consider the average for a whole-home remodel starts at $71,000.

What house expenses can be written off?

Deductible house-related expenses

• Insurance including fire and comprehensive coverage and title insurance.
• The amount applied to reduce the principal of the mortgage.
• Wages paid to domestic help.
• Depreciation.
• The cost of utilities, such as gas, electricity or water.
• Most settlement or closing costs.

What is the correct order to renovate a house?

The correct order to renovate a house is to start with planning and design, followed by obtaining necessary permits, demolition, structural work, electrical and plumbing, insulation, drywall, and finally, finishing touches such as painting, flooring, and fixtures.

What decreases property value the most?

The biggest property value decreases come from major deferred maintenance (like a bad roof/plumbing), poor location/neighborhood factors (bad neighbors, noise, proximity to negative sites like sex offenders), and outdated/poorly done renovations, especially in kitchens/baths, plus a lack of modern appeal, with factors like water damage, bad layouts, and poor curb appeal also significantly hurting value.
 

What is the biggest red flag in a home inspection?

The biggest red flags in a home inspection are foundation cracks (especially horizontal or wider than 1/4 inch), structural issues like sagging floors or stuck doors, outdated electrical systems with aluminum wiring, old plumbing with galvanized pipes or water damage, roof problems like missing shingles or sagging, ...

What will fail a home appraisal?

A house might not appraise for the sale price due to market conditions (overpriced home, hot market bidding wars), appraiser errors (missed upgrades, bad comps, miscalculated square footage, inexperience), or property issues (deferred maintenance, unpermitted additions, dated finishes, poor curb appeal) that make it worth less than the contract price, preventing lenders from approving the loan. 

What is the 10 foot rule in construction?

Do you know the 10-foot rule? The rule refers to the safe distance you should observe when you are working outdoors with equipment or machinery, such as a crane, forklift, backhoe, dump truck, TV antenna, drilling rig or block loader.

What are the 7 step safety rules?

The seven steps to safety are:

• Step 1: Make Your Place Safe.
• Step 2: Cool Tools for Family Rules.
• Step 3: Feel Safe with People.
• Step 4: What's Special about Our Family?
• Step 5: Emergency.
• Step 6: Ready Yet?
• Step 7: Make a Care Plan.

What is the 80% rule in construction?

In construction, we can see the 80/20 rule in instances where 80% of the project's value is created in the early stages at 20% of the cost. The steps teams take during the preconstruction phase—including design, planning, and procurement—can impact productivity and profit downstream.

What is the smartest way to pay for home improvements?

As a rule, the thriftiest way to finance improvements is to pay cash. If there isn't enough cash available, you may choose to finance these improvements by going to your bank or other lender and apply for a loan.

At what point is a house not worth fixing?

When It Costs Too Much to Repair. While the value of real estate property generally increases over time, there may be a point at which the costs of renovations and repairs outweigh the benefits. Economics professors caution individuals to do a “cost vs benefit analysis” before making any financial decisions.

What are hidden renovation costs?

Hidden costs can arise at many points during a home remodeling project. Walls might conceal pests or leaks. Older homes might need things replaced or brought up to code. And the renovation process itself is expensive, from securing permits at the start to removing debris at the end.