At Kavaleer Renovations, our Calgary Renovation contractors have seen it all. From half-finished flooring done by ambitious DIYers to surprise permit issues when the wrong contractor is chosen, it's easy to make the wrong decisions without the right plan or team in place. So, to help you avoid making unnecessary mistakes during a Calgary full-home renovation or partial remodel, we've put together this guide.
Mistake 1: Starting Without a Clear Plan
Solution: Use a Step-by-Step Checklist
Over the years, if there's one mistake we've seen too many homeowners make, it's starting without a clear plan. In our experience, far too many homeowners jump into a remodel with only a vague idea of what they want to achieve and a hope that everything will fall into place. Spoiler alert: This is often not the case.
Without a detailed plan – and sometimes even with one – a plethora of mistakes can happen. What started out as something fun and exciting could quickly spiral into the worst home decision you've ever made. That's why we recommend individuals start with a step-by-step renovation checklist. This will help you outline your project goals, timeline, budget, must-haves, nice-to-haves, and the specific areas of your home you want to improve.
With a clear plan in place, your renovation team will have a better chance of anticipating your needs and delivering the results you're actually after.
Mistake 2: Underestimating the Budget
Solution: Build in a Buffer
Only about 49% of Canadians have a detailed budget plan in place when completing renovations. If you underestimate your budget and don't build in a buffer, it's a huge mistake that you'll come to regret deeply, especially when bills start to pile up, and you need to find extra money to cover them or risk stalling your remodel.
We've seen it happen often with DIYers where materials, labour, permits, and unexpected fixes push their budget way past their original number when they are not careful. Fortunately, you can avoid making this mistake by building a 15 to 20% contingency into your remodelling budget.
When incorporating this into your budget, a reputable Calgary renovation contractor, such as ours at Kavaleer Renovations, will guide you through the full scope of costs and explain what may change along the way.
Mistake 3: Choosing Price Over Quality
Solution: Work With a Trusted Design-Build Contractor
We get it. Sometimes, remodelling can be expensive, especially when you opt for the professional route; however, it's essential to never choose price over quality. If the price is too good to be true, it likely is. Although it might be tempting to go with the lowest quote, cheaper often isn't always better and can lead to corners being cut and delays.
To avoid this mistake, we recommend working with a trusted Calgary design-build contractor instead. A contractor who has an exemplary track record and a professional team will likely take pride in providing value for money. You won't have to worry about the quality since they will build based on your budget using their honed remodelling skills.
Mistake 4: Failing to Get Permits
Solution: Partner With a Team That Handles It for You
When you want to avoid home renovation mistakes, you partner with a team that handles everything for you, including permits. Although not all home remodelling projects require permits, many do.
If you skip getting permits, you can delay your projects and, in the worst-case scenario, even get fines down the line, or even worse still, find it challenging to sell your home later down the line.
So, work with a knowledgeable Calgary custom home renovation team, as they will know what's needed and handle the applications on your behalf.
Mistake 5: Changing Plans Midway
Solution: Finalize Your Decisions Before You Build
Many of us – 20% of the adult population, to be exact – struggle with making decisions. Unfortunately, being indecisive and changing plans midway through a home remodel can cause unnecessary chaos, delay remodel timelines, and even increase costs.
That's why it's essential to avoid this mistake and lock in your choices early on, avoiding the temptation to change your mind. Of course, there are exceptions where changing set plans is necessary, but with careful planning, you can prevent being indecisive for the most part.
Mistake 6: Not Thinking About How You'll Live in the Space
Solution: Focus on Flow and Function
Your remodel must not only look nice, but it must also function well for your lifestyle. Many times, our team at Kavaleer Renovations has seen homeowners get caught up in aesthetics and overlook the flow and function of a home.
Sadly, if the layout doesn't work for your day-to-day life, it's not a successful renovation. We always ask questions about how you cook, relax, entertain, and move through your home.
That's especially important during a custom kitchen renovation in Calgary, where layout, storage, and lighting all significantly impact how well the space functions.
So, think about how you live in your home, and tell us. We'll help plan your remodel based on how you use the spaces while also considering the aesthetics.
Mistake 7: Hiring Multiple Contractors Without Coordination
Solution: Choose a Full-Service Team
This isn't the early 2000s anymore when you need to hire multiple contractors for a remodelling project. Nowadays, it's better to avoid hiring numerous contractors and risk poor coordination and communication breakdowns by hiring a singular design-build firm.
A Calgary design-build contractor manages everything under one roof. That means smoother scheduling, fewer surprises, and better quality control across your project.
Mistake 8: Skipping the Design Phase
Solution: Invest in Good Design Upfront
Not everyone cares too much about how their remodel will look as long as it does what it needs to do. However, skipping the design phase is a big mistake.
No matter how tempting, DO NOT skip this phase, as it involves more than simply picking pretty finishes. It's about ensuring your home suits your lifestyle, and this is especially true if you're interested in a Calgary luxury home renovation.
A well-designed remodel will enhance the overall outcome and help your investment stretch further, with fewer unexpected costs, delays, and a smoother selling process later on.
Mistake 9: Forgetting About Future Needs
Solution: Think Long-Term and not Short-Term
The last thing you want is to commit to a home renovation that only solves short-term problems. Your home should grow with you, so a remodel should meet both your current and future needs.
To ensure your future needs are not overlooked, consider working with a Calgary home remodelling contractor who can offer a renovation plan tailored to your growing family or existing infrastructure needs. We promise thinking ahead like this is the best thing to do, as it will pay off.
Mistake 10: Going It Alone
Solution: Work With an Experienced Renovation Partner
We know that many homeowners prefer the DIY approach to remodelling, and although this can be a good option for some, it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach and can lead to catastrophic mistakes. That's why it's better not to make the mistake of going it alone and rather choose to work with an experienced renovation partner.
At Kavaleer Renovations, we can be this partner, and we promise that working with us will make all the difference. We'll listen to your needs and expectations and ensure we plan a remodel that ticks all the current and future boxes.
Ready to Renovate With Kavaleer Renovations?
If you're planning a remodel, start with a step-by-step home renovation checklist and consult with a contractor who understands your needs. At Kavaleer Renovations, we get it. Our design-build firm brings years of experience, streamlined design-build service, and a down-to-earth approach that homeowners across Calgary trust.
So turn to us, and let's turn your home into a space that works beautifully for the way you live. Contact us today for expert support on your next custom home renovation or addition in Calgary.
