By Ali Larsen
Are you considering taking on some DIY projects before putting your property up for sale? BE SURE TO READ THIS FIRST!
Gill and I have learned a lot from our flips and renovations over the years, including what works, what doesn’t, and sometimes… what definitely should have been researched a little more before jumping in!
DIY projects can be a great way to improve your home and potentially make it more appealing to buyers. However, there are definitely a few common mistakes that can turn a simple weekend project into a much bigger job than you originally planned.
If you’re thinking about making some improvements before selling your Airdrie home, here are a few things to consider before picking up that hammer, paintbrush, or tile saw.
DIY Home Renovation Mistake #1: Not Doing Enough Research
Do your research before doing anything!
Want to lay your own flooring? Did you know this can be done BACKWARDS? Want to try your hand at tiling? Did you know that big tiles can actually be easier and much more forgiving?
There are so many little details that can make a huge difference in the outcome of a renovation project. Taking the time to watch tutorials, read instructions, understand the materials you’re working with, and figure out the correct process can save you a whole lot of frustration later.
Another really important thing to research before starting a renovation is whether your project requires a permit. Not getting the proper permit when one is required can create headaches later, particularly when you’re preparing your home for sale.
Before starting any major DIY project, make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting into.
DIY Renovation Mistake #2: Not Investing in the Right Tools and Materials
Thinking of painting with cheap rollers and painters tape?
Instead of getting those crisp, clean lines you’re hoping for, you may end up with an uneven finish that requires you to spend even more time going back over everything with a brush.
While it can seem cost-effective to make do with the tools you already have or to find the absolute cheapest option, poor-quality equipment and materials can sometimes create more work rather than less.
Spending a little more upfront on the right tools can make the project easier, faster, and give you a much better finished product. This is especially important if you’re completing renovations with the goal of making your Airdrie property more appealing to buyers.
DIY Renovation Mistake #3: Not Understanding the Size of the Project
Bit off more than you can chew?
This is such a common mistake!
It’s incredibly easy to look at a project and think, “Oh, this should only take a weekend,” only to discover that you’re still working on it weeks later.
Your commitment wavers, life gets busy, you become burnt out, and suddenly that project you were so excited about becomes something you don’t even want to look at anymore. That’s when the quality of the work can start to suffer, or worse, the project never gets finished.
Before starting, take an honest look at how much time, energy, money, and skill the project will actually require. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into!
DIY Renovation Mistake #4: Not Having an Overall Vision
Sometimes it is better to update just one thing at a time, and sometimes, to get the full effect you’re looking for, it makes more sense to tackle an entire room at once.
Before you start ripping things apart, think about the overall look you’re trying to achieve.
Consider what you are willing to commit to, what will work with the existing space, and what makes sense for your budget. This is particularly important when you’re renovating before selling. You don’t necessarily want to spend money making highly personal changes that may not appeal to the next homeowner.
When preparing an Airdrie home for sale, focusing on clean, functional, and broadly appealing improvements can often make more sense than completely transforming a space.
DIY Renovation Mistake #5: Not Budgeting Enough
Perhaps the biggest DIY mistake of all is not budgeting enough.
SURPRISE! Drywall went up again!
Unexpected costs have a funny way of appearing once you start opening things up. What looks like a straightforward project can quickly turn into something much bigger when you discover an issue you weren’t expecting.
A good rule of thumb is to always add a cushion of at least 20% when budgeting your renovation costs. You will be surprised how quickly that cushion gets eaten up!
Having some extra money set aside can also help prevent you from cutting corners just because you’ve run out of budget halfway through the project.
Thinking About Renovating Before Selling Your Airdrie Home?
DIY renovations can absolutely be rewarding, but it’s important to know when a project makes sense and when it’s better to leave it to the professionals.
If you’re considering making updates before listing your Airdrie home for sale, think about the improvements that will actually make a difference to buyers rather than simply spending money for the sake of renovating.
Hope this helps you in your DIY journey! And if you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Airdrie real estate, we’re always happy to chat and help you figure out what makes sense for your particular situation.