What is the biggest complaint that potential buyers make when looking at a recently remodeled house? That is the subject of our next common mistake that is made when you do it yourself. Learn what that mistake is and how to avoid it.
Image that you are looking at a home. It has some fabulous new updates, but some things seem to be missing. This is what happens when the homeowners have left certain things half done or incomplete. This can not only not add the value to your home that was your goal in remodeling, but it can also subtract value, leaving your home worth less than what it was when you started.
This is why neglecting details is our fourth most common do it yourself (DIY) mistake that many people make.
Neglecting the details can happen when you run out of time, money or motivation to complete a project. It can find its way into almost any project, from something as simple as priming a room but not painting it, to neglecting to add faucets and plumbing fixtures in a kitchen or bathroom. I’ve seen houses where crown molding was installed on three walls and not the fourth, where bathroom tile was left off of the space where the tub goes and where an entire kitchen was redone, but there was no backsplash, just a bare wall above the stove. In yet another home, draw pulls were left off of cabinets, and a light fixture was not installed. The wires hanging from the dining room ceiling tells potential buyers that the home is incomplete or not maintained.
When you are planning your DIY project, try to allow a cushion for time and money. As for motivation, think of the dollars that your project will be worth when it is actually completed. And worst comes to worst, have a handy person or contractor available if life gets in the way of your project details.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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