4 Common Myths about Home Remodeling
I’d like to talk about some of the myths and misconceptions when it pertains to home remodeling and home renovations. With the popularity of home improvement shows and a plethora of (dis)information on the internet, it seems that in some cases homeowners aren’t getting the real information needed in order to make the right decisions. Here are the 4 top myths about home remodeling:
Remodeling is fast and easy. Generally this is not the case. A qualified contractor knows that there is a possibility of error if he runs through a remodel too quickly. It takes industry knowledge and good communication to ensure workers are putting forth their best efforts and are working at a pace that will get the job done without any hiccups. Unfortunately, TV shows edit down a three week bath remodel and a six week kitchen remodel for a 30 minute show. It’s never that easy and that fast.
Doing it yourself will save you money. Although the average homeowner may have an idea on how to complete a home renovation, it’s rarely that straightforward. I’ve never seen a homeowner’s project look as good as an experienced contractor’s professional work. Realistically the typical homeowner needs all of the tools and experience of hundreds of jobs before attempting a major remodel. Additionally, flooring, cabinets, sheetrock, masonry, tile etc. are heavy, so you and Uncle Phil may not be the best team to get the job done. I’ve been called to repair sloppy tile, uneven walls and bad paint jobs numerous times, and it’s disheartening to the homeowner that he now has to shell out more money than he would have originally had he called a contractor initially.
All renovations add value to a home. This is not always true. In most cases a new bathroom, kitchen and additional bedrooms will add value, but in certain cases the opposite is true. I’ve seen homes where the customer had a wall and bedroom removed in order to have a large master suite, however when it came time to sell the homeowner had a difficult time because most new home buyers have young children and are looking for more bedrooms. Then there’s the fitness buff who turned half of his second floor into a full gym, and was surprised when it came time to sell that a large gym was not a selling point to most potential buyers.
Always pick the contractor with the lowest bid. This is not always a good idea. Good qualified contractors with stellar reputations rarely have the lowest bid and are not interested in having the lowest bid. They know that a low bid after calculating materials and expenses will most likely hurt them, and in some cases hurt the client when the contractor tries to make up for lost profits with hurried work and cheaper materials. A contractor may offer a low bid because, frankly, he may not be busy and needs to place his crew to work instead of paying them to stay home. But in my experience low bid contractors are more inclined to be inexperienced in estimating and therefore usually get in over their heads on labor and materials. The solution is simply to do your due diligence, get recommendations, check out the contractor’s website and Google reviews, and have a good dialogue with a potential contractor prior to hiring anyone. There’s an old saying “good work ain’t cheap and cheap work ain’t good.” Conducting thorough research and trusting your own good judgment is a great starting point.
I hope I was able to shed some light about these common home remodeling myths based upon my 20 years of experience in the field. These tips will make you, as an educated homeowner, have a greater understanding of the home remodeling process and of course, help you make the right decisions. When you’re ready to remodel, give us a call at 848-667-1400, schedule a free estimate or fill out our online contact form. We’re also here for you if you have any questions so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Until next time,
Marshall Gemal, Garden State Renovations Owner & Licensed Contractor