More than half of U.S. homeowners are planning remodeling projects in the next 12 months and about two-thirds plan to do at least some of the work themselves, according to a new survey out from Consumer Reports.
The most popular types of work include painting (56%), designing (39%) and flooring (34%).
But it's likely many of these projects won't go quite as planned. The survey found that about one-third of respondents said that they have at least one regret stemming from trying to fix a broken appliance, installing tile, floors or cabinets.
"Whether homeowners are venturing into a project themselves or plan
to hire a professional, you need to lay out a budget, decide what you
want most at the end of the project -- and decide what you can live
without," says Bob Markovich, senior home editor at Consumer Reports.
"The more homeowners know what they're getting into, the more money
they'll save."
According to the poll, the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners are kitchens (19%) and bathrooms (17%).
So Consumer Reports has asked readers to reveal what went wrong when they remodeled their kitchens and baths and how much those mistakes added to the overall cost of their projects.
Here's how to avoid their mistakes and save:
- Don't rush in. Changing plans is the most common, but costliest remodeling gaffe, adding $1,500 to kitchen projects and $650 to bath remodels. Be sure to leave time for research and
create a comprehensive plan, listing every product.
- Prepare for the unexpected. There's a lot going on behind the walls. Unexpected water damage was an issue with 17 percent of bathroom remodels, while structural problems caused headaches for 10 percent of kitchen projects. A good contractor will be able to anticipate, allowing the homeowner to budget accordingly.
- Don't chase the low ball. Contractors are lowering their profit margins due to the tight market, but they often make up their costs in labor or other areas. Readers who went for the lowball ended up spending a median of $1,500 extra for labor on their kitchens and $1,000 extra on their bathrooms. Don't sign a contract with a lot of open-ended amounts for products and materials -- these are called "allowances," in contractor speak.
- Get the paperwork in order. Have the contractor attach copies of his up-to-date license, insurance, and workers' compensation policies to the written contract. He should also get permits and provide a lien waiver when the job is done; this will keep suppliers from contacting the homeowner for unpaid bills.
- Focus on the boring bits. Specifying lighting and placement of trash cans are not much fun, but are critical to the process. For example, the proper exhaust fan will prevent mildew in baths and vent odors in kitchens.
Photo above right by Jesse Michael Nix via Flickr.
