π§ 5 Apartment Renovation Mistakes Beginners Make
Five common renovation mistakes β planning, budgeting, materials, utilities, and contractor control β and how to avoid them.
Renovation Pitfalls: 5 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Before you start renovating your apartment, check these five traps that ruin budgets and timelines.
A quick, essential guide to help you spot trouble early.
1. Skipping the Detailed Project Plan
What goes wrong: rework, blown deadlines, and wasted money on undone finishes.
Quick checklist:
layout β electrical/low-voltage β plumbing β leveling β rough floors and walls β finishing β doors/hardware β furniture β dΓ©cor.
See also our renovation tips article.
2. Underestimating Budget and Hidden Costs
Always add +10β20% for unexpected work, debris removal, delivery, consumables, tools, and permits.
Even "small stuff" like anchors, primer, and sealant adds up fast.
Learn more in how to save money on renovation.
3. Overlooking Electrical and Plumbing Essentials
Separate power circuits, match cable gauges to load, and install RCDs/MCBs where required.
Waterproof wet zones, leave revision hatches, and keep connections accessible β otherwise you'll be redoing tile in a month.
4. Choosing Materials Without Research
Where you can save vs. where you must not:
- Can save on: wallpaper, baseboards, handles.
- Do not cut corners on: leveling compounds, wiring, pipes, flooring in wet zones.
Always check durability class, moisture resistance, manufacturer warranty, and system compatibility.
See our renovation tips article for material selection advice.
5. Losing Control of Contractors and Timeline
No contract with milestones = instant chaos.
You need a timeline, acceptance checklists, photo evidence of hidden work, and penalties for missed deadlines.
Learn more in our renovation tips article.
Key Takeaways for a Smooth Renovation
Renovation requires a system: plan β budget β supervision.
Avoid these five mistakes and you'll save time, money, and nerves.
Also read our renovation tips article.
πΈ Photos: Renohacks.com collection
π·οΈ Tags: renovation, mistakes, budget, planning