"5 Regrets from My Home Renovation Project as an Experienced Renovator"
Renovation Lessons Learned: Top DIY Jobs Best Left to the Professionals
In the quest to save money during a home renovation, embarking on do-it-yourself (DIY) projects may seem like a prudent idea. However, tackling tasks that exceed your skillset can lead to stress, wasted time, and subpar results. To help homeowners navigate the renovation process wisely, our platform contributor Natasha Brinsmead shares her regrets over DIY blunders during her transformation of a run-down cottage.
1. External Feature painting
A thorough understanding of what's involved in a project is crucial to avoid common DIY mistakes. Failing to do so can result in costly errors that end up costing more than hiring a professional in the first place. Natasha's cottage's exterior, including the solid wood front door, fascias, and pebbledash render, needed attention. Inspired to strip and repaint the timber elements, she and her husband found that their effort yielded inadequate results. The sanded surfaces peeled and became highly unstable after several months, necessitating professional intervention.
2. Installing a new kitchen window
Despite their renovation experience, the couple encountered challenges fitting a new kitchen window. The bespoke window's installation proved trickier than anticipated due to irregularities in the opening's dimensions. There was significant tweaking required before it could be secured, and the heavy frame's weight was underestimated.
3. Decorating multiple rooms
While many homeowners feel confident in taking on painting tasks, tackling multiple rooms in a house can quickly become an overwhelming endeavor. Attention to detail may decline as the project progresses, leading to poor finishes, such as patchy ceilings and uneven paint application. After painting three rooms themselves, the Brinsmeade's called in professional decorators to create polished results.
4. Levelling floors
The installation of oak engineered flooring in the dining room and snug demanded an even surface. Despite using self-levelling compound for a smooth finish, the floor remained uneven, with occasional bouncy spots. The professionals who could have screeded and achieved a better finish were ultimately called in to rectify the issue.
5. Building the extension floor
The construction of the first floor in the two-storey extension was a significant undertaking that the Brinsmeade's underestimated. Inefficient measuring and re-measuring led to delays and a suboptimal result.
In conclusion, homeowners should be mindful of their skill level when embarking on DIY projects during a renovation to avoid setbacks and poor outcomes. It is advisable to hire professionals in areas like exterior painting, window installation, and floor levelling to achieve optimal results.
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Sources:[1] housebeautiful.com[2] homedepot.com[3] diynetwork.com[4] takesmartadvice.com[5] popularmechanics.com
- The homeowners' limited skillset in exterior painting resulted in an inadequate finish on the cottage's solid wood front door, fascias, and pebbledash render, necessitating professional help to correct poor results.
- The installation of a new kitchen window proved difficult for the homeowners due to irregularities in the opening's dimensions and the heavy frame's weight, leading them to seek professional assistance for a secure fit.
