Planning a home or commercial remodel can be exciting, but it can also turn frustrating fast if you’re not prepared. From unknown or unplanned costs to decision fatigue, there are plenty of ways a remodel can veer off track. Whether you’re planning a kitchen upgrade, finishing a basement, or updating your business’s workspace, here are a few common missteps to avoid, and how to get ahead of them.
Underestimating the Budget
It’s easy to focus on just the surface-level updates like paint, cabinets, flooring, but most remodels involve hidden expenses. Maybe you uncover outdated wiring, water damage, or structural issues. Even when things go smoothly, you may want to splurge on a nicer finish or add a last-minute feature.
Pro Tip: Build in approximitely 10% buffer in your budget for surprises or upgrades. A good contractor will talk you through potential unknowns before work begins.
Not Thinking Long-Term
It’s tempting to plan around what’s trendy right now. But if you’re planning to stay in your home or keep your business operating in the same space for years to come, your decisions should be built to last. Likewise, cutting corners now can cost you more down the road.
Pro Tip: Think about how your needs might change over the next 5–10 years. Ask yourself: Will you need more space? Will resale value matter?
Choosing Style Over Function
Yes, your space should look great, but it should also work for how you live and operate. We’ve seen it all: kitchens with gorgeous finishes but nowhere to prep food, or bathrooms with soaking tubs but no good storage.
Pro Tip: Work with a contractor who can help balance design with day-to-day usability. They’ll help guide layout and material choices that fit your real life.
Trying to Do It All Yourself
We’re all for rolling up your sleeves if you have the tools, training, and time to do it right. There are plenty of capable homeowners and business owners out there who can handle smaller updates or cosmetic work. But if you’re jumping into a major remodel without experience, it could end up costing more in the long run.
We’ve seen projects where wiring was installed incorrectly and then didn’t pass inspection, walls weren’t leveled, or materials weren’t rated for the space, and by the time we were called in to fix it, the job was more expensive than if we’d done it from the start. You need to ask yourself if the risk is worth the reward?
Pro Tip: Know your limits. If you’re not sure where to start or what’s involved, call in a pro. Even if you want to do some of the work yourself, we’re happy to partner with you and help where it matters most.
Skipping the Planning Phase
It’s exciting to get started, but jumping in without a detailed plan can create delays, scope creep, and unexpected costs. The more thorough your plan is from the start, the smoother the entire process will go.
Pro Tip: Before swinging a hammer, make sure you’ve got a full scope of work, material selections, and a written contract.
The best remodels are the ones where the planning and communication are as solid as the craftsmanship. At Hayslett Construction, we walk clients through every step from design to demo to the final nail, making sure there are no surprises, just results you love. Let’s get started!
