10 Mistakes You Might Make Doing Home Renovations Yourself

Many people hire contractors for home improvement purposes. But if you're looking to do things more frugally, you may be inclined to perform that work yourself. Before you do, though, consider these mistakes you might fall victim to if you attempt your next project solo.

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You might think you'll pull off a given renovation at a certain price point only to be way off. The benefit of getting contractor quotes is that you'll get a sense of what the work really costs. That will help you determine whether it's the right time to move forward.

ALSO READ: How to Create a Project Budget for Your Small Business Projects

If you don't secure the correct materials for the work being done, you might botch the job at hand. But that's a mistake an experienced contractor is unlikely to make.

Failing to secure the right protective gear for your renovation could lead to injury. If you hire a professional, that person will know what it takes to stay safe on the job.

Some home renovations require obtaining a permit from your town or city before starting the work. If you fail to take that step, you may end up having to start your project over.

ALSO READ: Why It Doesn't Pay to Skip the Permits When Improving Your Home

If you hold down a full-time job and have other responsibilities, your home renovation might take much longer than anticipated. That could mess with your quality of life -- especially if parts of your home aren't usable while your work is in progress.

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You might think a certain amount of flooring or tile will be enough to cover the room you're working on. But what if you get that estimate wrong, and by the time you realize your mistake, you can't find more of the materials you've been using? A professional is less likely to make that miscalculation.

ALSO READ: How to Estimate a Construction Project

Whenever you do work around your home, things can get dirty and messy. But if you tackle your next renovation yourself, you might fail to take the proper steps to protect your home from debris and even damage.

When handling a renovation solo, you might simply whip out a credit card and charge your expenses as they come in. But that could lead to a scenario where you end up spending a lot of money on interest. You'll often have more affordable financing options when you work with a contractor.

ALSO READ: 24% of Homeowners Could Make This Mistake When Financing Home Renovations

To save money on your renovation, you might opt for less expensive materials. But in doing so, you could really end up skimping on quality. A professional, on the other hand, can tell you when it pays to spend more.

Failing to take the right measurements could lead you to purchase the wrong materials -- and waste money in the process. A contractor is less likely to botch this portion of the job. And if a contractor does, it's on them to pay to correct that error.

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If you're handy and willing to put in the work, you may be tempted to do your own home renovations. And going that route could save you money. Just be sure to avoid these problematic mistakes along the way.

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