While buying a home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make, it’s also one of the biggest projects you’ll ever take on. There’s no denying that maintaining a home is plenty of work.
And even if you buy the ”perfect” home to suit your needs, it’s more than likely that you’ll do some kind of work on it, whether it’s minor or major. But before you dive into any remodeling project, you want to get to grips with the difference between the worst and best home improvement myths. As well as which are true, and which are complete rubbish.
With further ado, let’s bust (or confirm) some myths in this blog.
1. Expensive Materials Will Always Add Value
Contrary to what many rookie homeowners believe, expensive does not always add value to your home. While expensive materials may look wonderful to you and suit your aesthetic, they might not sit right with other home buyers. Ultimately, this can make your home harder to sell down the line (if that’s your goal).
Remember that expensive, flashy materials may line up with your style/aesthetic, but not everyone else’s. Some home buyers might be a little more value-conscious and looking for an affordable, relatable home.
So, the myth that expensive materials always add value is not quite true in every scenario. So choose your materials wisely.
2. ”On-Trend” Is Always the Best Way to Go
This is one of the most common myths that many homeowners tend to get hung up on, but in many cases, it’s not always relevant. The reason for this is because design trends change all the time, and what’s ”on trend” might not actually align with your personal style of aesthetic. And that’s perfectly okay.
It’s always best to do your own research on timeless styles that suit your personality and your home. Some trends don’t always carry the best longevity, either. This means that if you intend to sell your home later on, it might be more difficult than you expected.
3. You Can Remodel on a Tight Budget
Yes, you can remodel parts of your home and stick to a budget. But the reality is that large home remodels are not cheap and if your budget is very limited, there’s a chance you might not be able to achieve everything you have your heart set on.
Reality TV shows and articles about remodeling on a budget have perpetuated this myth that you can remodel your home for next to nothing. But in reality, a home remodeling project almost always costs you more than you thought it would.
The best way to approach your remodeling project is with a flexible budget. If your budget is a little too tight or rigid, you could run into problems. There’s nothing wrong with considering financial aid/support when it comes to taking on large home remodels.
You might even want to consider a home improvement loan from Plenti.
4. Wall Cracks Are Always a Massive Issue
If there’s one myth that’s really blown out of the water about home improvement, it’s this one. If you notice minor cracks in your walls or foundation, these are merely the result of minor expansion and contraction of your home. They are by no means a sign that you have significant structural damage.
If you have your doubts, it’s always best to call in the expertise of a structural engineer who can examine these cracks and give you an accurate analysis of the issue.
5. Doing It Yourself Always Saves Money
Reality check: DIY home remodeling projects can sometimes end up costing you way more than if you had just hired a professional to start with.
Sure, there are aspects of a home remodel project that you can DIY, and yes, this can save you money. But if you don’t have the skill, the right tools, experience, or time, it can really backfire on you.
Bear in mind that the right contractor can always finish off your home remodel project a lot faster than you. They have the right tools, equipment, personnel, and experience to get the job done right. That’s why you pay them for this service — to save yourself the headache and cost of re-doing a DIY job down the line.
6. A Swimming Pool Addition Always Adds Value
Unfortunately, this myth is just not true. Contrary to what many homeowners realize, the addition of a swimming pool depends on where you live and your local climate. The point of a swimming pool is to use it, right? If you don’t have the local weather for it, then it won’t necessarily add value to your home.
Adding a swimming pool can add reasonable value to your home if you live in a warm climate and there is reason enough to actually use your pool. The reality is that a swimming pool is a pricey, high-maintenance addition and it can be particularly difficult to maintain in long, off-seasons.
7. Going ”Green” Is Always Pricey
There’s this common misconception that using and purchasing ”green” products for your remodeling project is always more expensive. When in truth, this is not always the case.
In many instances, you might even receive a great discount from the government, your local council, or the manufacturer for using these products. While some energy-saving systems might seem expensive at the start, they can save you thousands of dollars in the long run and pay themselves off.
To add to this, the concept of going green doesn’t always apply to purchasing products. There are a number of remodeling techniques that you can implement to save energy, cut back on waste, and more.
8. Wallpaper Works in Any Room
We can’t stress this enough — wallpaper is not as versatile as many homeowners think. In fact, there are only specific areas of the home that wallpaper is suitable for. For example, you cannot use wallpaper in a room if it’s prone to fading, condensation, or excessive heat, i.e. the bathroom or kitchen.
Wallpaper is also quite expensive and if you do not install it properly, it can look like a disaster. When choosing wallpaper, you always want to consider how it will look in 5-10 years, too.
9. All Home Improvements Are Worthwhile
You always want to keep in mind that not all home improvements are created equal. What you might view as a worthwhile remodel project might not sit well with the next home buyer.
In addition to this, some home remodeling projects don’t always add the value you were hoping for, down the line. In other words, they don’t really pay themselves off over time. You always want to consider how an improvement project will add value to your home, specifically in a few years’ time.
10. Buying Dupe Products Will Save You Money
There’s no denying that home renovations are expensive, and while there are tried and true methods of saving money, they’re not always reliable. One such method is purchasing dupe or mock products, instead of the more expensive, real deal.
For example, you might not have the budget to spend $200 on a kitchen faucet, so you purchase the dupe for $80 instead. However, the $200 model is made from metal and brass and will last you a good few years, so it’s worth the investment. Whereas the $80 model comprises mirror-covered plastic and won’t last you longer than a year or two.
At the end of the day, spending less on dupes can end up costing you more in the long term.
11. Remodels Always Run Over Time
Not all remodel projects stray from the expected timeline. Yes, it’s wise to expect some delays along the course of the project here and there. But an experienced and punctual contractor knows how to make up for these delays and any lost time.
Within the construction and contractor industry, there seems to be an unspoken assumption that projects always run overtime. When in many cases, this might not ring true.
Believe it or not, but most contractors want to finish the remodel project on time so that they can move on to their next project, while also maintaining a good reputation.
However, you have to find a contractor that truly values planning, organization, and punctuality. They should also have a thorough understanding of the scope of your project.
It’s also important to think about your own role in the timeline of a remodel project as a homeowner. One of the most common reasons for project delays is order changes by homeowners. You have to go into a project knowing exactly what you want, otherwise, you can expect delays.
The Best Home Improvement Hacks at Your Fingertips
As you can see, these home improvement myths might be common knowledge, but they’re not always true or accurate. When it comes to your own remodeling project you need to have faith in the process as well as your contractor, but also, don’t be naive. At the end of the day, it comes down to how much you’ve prepared and your own due diligence, too.
Looking for some of the best home improvement advice? Be sure to explore the rest of this blog for topics on home renovating, choosing a contractor, and so much more.
