8 Most Common Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

In most homes, the kitchen and bathrooms will eventually need remodeling. These areas are the most used in the whole house, so they must be functional and pleasing spaces to spend your time in. Nearly one in seven of all the kitchens and bathrooms people hire us to remodel has already been remodeled by someone else with poor results. That said, we have put together a list of the 8 most common kitchen and bathroom remodeling mistakes to look out for.

Unrealistic Budgeting

An unrealistic budget is the number one problem we see. Comparing home remodeling companies is not like buying a car where you compare make, model and mileage. When it comes to home remodeling, you are comparing the quality of the materials you use and the skill of the contractors you hire. This is why you can get ten different quotes and end up with ten very different prices. Be wary of hiring whoever is the cheapest, because you might find that mid-way through your project your contractor is expecting more money before they will finish. Take a look at this pricing guide from Angi’s List for bathroom and kitchen remodels based on metro areas.

Accidental Damage to Your Home or Your Neighbors

Accidents can happen during any home remodel, but it becomes a problem if your contractor is negligent or refuses to fix a problem they have caused. Too often, untrained contractors make costly mistakes in a kitchen or bath remodel, which can have serious consequences. It is critical to properly vet your contractor, and expect to see before and after photos of their previous work. Ask to see customer reviews if possible so you can be assured that they know what they are doing.

Choosing Poor Materials

Some home remodeling companies require you to use their materials so that they can guarantee the quality, but just as many will allow you to bring your own materials. Buying your own material can be less costly, however, you are not required to assure the quality of it. Your installer can only do so much with low-quality materials. Make sure you read the reviews of any material you chose, and be aware that some companies will actually pay people to write reviews for products they have never used. Keep in mind, it is better to choose a 4-star product with a thousand reviews, than a 5-star product with two reviews.

Hiring Unskilled Contractors

Hiring unskilled contractors is another one of the big kitchen and bathroom remodeling mistakes. Many people will tell you what you want to hear, and will not often speak up when the work is beyond their abilities. That said, make sure you properly vet your contractor and make sure they are skilled enough to handle your project. Take a look at their reviews and ask if they have done work like yours before. They should be able to answer honestly if they have done this kind of work, and offer you photos of finished projects.

Removing a Wall Only to Make the Room Worse

Just because a wall can be removed does not necessarily mean it should be removed. Many home improvement shows make it seem simple to remove a wall, even if it is load-bearing. What they do not mention, however, is removing a wall can be not only expensive but can create new problems. For example, making the kitchen and living room into one big room often creates a problem with noise. One person is trying to watch television, while the other is using a loud appliance at the same time.

Choosing High Maintenance Flooring

There are so many flooring choices out there these days, but many of them are more trouble than they are worth. If you are the one that will ultimately clean and maintain these floors, make your life easier and pick something low maintenance. Wood flooring is nice a durable, however, it does require periodic refinishing. A tiled floor is also a great option, but don’t forget the grout will need to be cleaned and perhaps replaced at some point. Personally, we like luxury vinyl plank, especially for areas prone to flooding such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Removing the Only Tub

Many people are looking to age in place, and want to convert their tub into a standing shower. We would say this is not a hard and fast rule, however, it’s generally a remodeling mistake to remove the only tub in the house. That said, it’s only a mistake if you plan to sell your house at some point. Tubs are generally more for younger children in American households, whereas most adults do not have that many showers compared to other cultures. 

Choosing Trendy Countertops Rather Than Functional Ones

Every couple of years a new countertop material is en vogue, and suddenly everyone wants it. However, not all countertops are easy to clean or maintain. Avoid materials that are easily stained, such as butcher block or laminate tops. Also, be aware of materials that will need regular sealing, such as concrete and low-grade granite tops. Stick to low-maintenance countertops, such as quartz or pre-sealed granite. 

Conclusion

At some point in your life as a homeowner, you will probably remodel a bathroom or a kitchen. Before you get started, make sure you are aware of the most common kitchen and bathroom remodeling mistakes people make. Make sure your budget is realistic – not too high, or too low. Choose quality materials and hire a skilled contractor. It does not help you to go with the cheapest bid, which might come back to bite you. Try to only remove walls if you are sure it will improve the space rather than being an expensive detraction. Choose materials you are prepared to properly maintain rather than trendy ones that will require too much work.

Envy Home Services is a premier kitchen and bathroom remodeling company serving the Chicagoland North Suburbs. We are a full-service remodeling company with highly skilled installers. Aside from full remodels, we offer partial remodels such as countertop and backsplash replacements, tub to shower conversions, and cabinet refacing.