As home remodeling contractors, we’re usually huge advocates of home improvement projects. We believe that most remodels, no matter how small, can drastically improve your quality of life. What we don’t believe, however, is that all home remodels are necessary. Some are practical and need to be done, while some are uncalled for, and mere bad ideas.
Those are the ones we’ll be discussing today. Here are five situations where complete home remodeling is highly discouraged.
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If You’re Banking on Incredible ROI
Home remodeling can be cost-efficient and, in some cases, incredibly lucrative. You’ve probably heard all success stories about homeowners recouping 100%—or more—of their renovation investments when they sell their home. Property appreciates over time, and there’s no denying that home improvement projects can lead to some pretty sweet real estate sales.
However, if you’re thinking of investing in a home remodel solely for the sake of profit in selling your house, you might want it to reconsider. Home remodeling for improved market value is very much a high-risk, high-reward scenario. You can earn more than you put in, but the statistics aren’t very favorable.
In 2018, Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Study revealed that minor kitchen remodels only brought in an average of 81.1% ROI. Major kitchen remodels averaged even lower, with homeowners recouping only about 59% of their investment. Thus, as for someone who spent $50,000 on their major kitchen remodel only made $29,500 back.
There certainly are ways, techniques, and situations where you can net more than 100% of your initial remodeling investment. The thing is, home remodeling for the sake of profit is never a solid guarantee.
If the Season isn’t Right for it
Some seasons just aren’t great for certain home remodeling projects. For instance, all sorts of exterior work—like window installations, door repair, re-shingling, or exterior repainting—are best done during the drier, fairer seasons when there’s little to no chance of rain or snow (so, think spring or summer).
Winter, on the other hand, is a great season for indoor renovations. Since it’s typically the off-season for most home remodeling contractors, contractors are usually looking for work during this time of the year. In the spirit of the holidays and in keeping their practice afloat, they’ll have all sorts of special prices and offers that can save you a couple of bucks on your remodel.
Check the weather conditions and season before undertaking a custom home remodeling project. Otherwise, you may end up losing resources and ultimately regretting your decision.
If You’re Facing an Immediate, Non-Negotiable Deadline
Minor remodels alone can take days—if not weeks—to finish. How about complete home remodels?
Related Content: How Long Will it Take to Remodel My Home?
You’re looking at a handful of months, at least. No matter how fast, effective, and efficient the contractors are, a home improvement project is something you can not rush. Even the most experienced contractors and the most detailed, comprehensive renovation plans can’t account for the unexpected: unforeseen delays, hold orders, missing permits, etc.
Whether you like it or not, there are factors in a remodel that you cannot control. If you want to renovate your home just for a situation or event that’s happening in less than a month, take our advice; just don’t.
If You’re Just Trying to be Trendy
This is definitely a common theme among homeowners, and it can be quite easy to fall prey to—especially for the people that follow home improvement trends. We’re not saying that subscribing to trends is a bad thing. It’s quite the opposite, in fact! Certain styles, colors, finishes, designs, pieces, and layouts can become crowd favorites for useful, practical reasons. And if you’re ever short of ideas or inspiration for your own home, trends are a great starting point.
But if you’re thinking of retiling your kitchen and bathrooms, repainting your entire home, or adding one or two entirely new rooms just because you love trends, which might not even stand the test of time, then we’d have to advise against it.
If You Just Moved In
If you’re familiar with the concept of “impulse buying,” then you can probably figure out why we advise against remodeling your home immediately after moving in. In fact, any major remodel done within a month of moving in could be considered an impulsive decision (if the major remodel isn’t strictly necessary), and therefore not a sound one.
When you want to buy something (that isn’t a need or a necessity), some experts advise waiting 72 hours or more before purchasing it. This cooling-off period helps dissipate the initial desire for owning something new, enabling you to make clearer, unbiased decisions.
For real estate and home remodeling, we recommend waiting a full year. Get to know the house. Learn the natural traffic flow of each room. Find out how you and your family interact within the space.
Rather than make huge decisions based on preconceived notions and past experiences with your old home, let time tell you what works and what doesn’t in your new home. This way, whatever major remodeling decisions you make at the end of twelve months, they’re made with fresh, unbiased data based on recent situational experiences.
At the end of the day, home remodeling projects need to add to your quality of life in a wholesome, or positive way. If the remodel isn’t achieving either (or all) of these three requirements, then it probably isn’t something you want to push through with. The best kinds of remodels are the ones that will pay off in the long run.
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