Whether you’re updating your kitchen or renovating your entire home, there’s far more involved than most people expect. HGTV makes it look effortless. Problems pop up, solutions appear, and everything is wrapped up neatly before the next commercial break.
Real-life renovations rarely work that way.
One early mistake (e.g. locking in a layout too soon or choosing the wrong flooring) can ripple into other parts of the project. Those decisions can cost you thousands of dollars and push your project timeline back weeks (or even months).
As one of Calgary’s top interior design firms, we have seen it all. To make sure you are making the right moves while planning your renovation, we’ve listed five of the most common renovation mistakes that you should avoid when renovating your home.
(One note before we begin: The biggest mistake is assuming each renovation is the same. Every home, budget, style and family is different. If you’re planning a home renovation project, reach out to our team today so we can talk about your specific project.
1. Choosing the Wrong General Contractor (Not Researching or Simply Choosing the Lowest Bid)
Hiring a contractor is one of the most important decisions you can make. You only need to Google “Calgary Home Renovation Horror Story” to see what the wrong contractor can do to your renovation.
We often see this mistake happen for two main reasons:
- They want to get started and go with the first available option, or
- It comes down to price, and they automatically choose the lowest bid.
While we understand both reasons, it is well worth taking the time to make sure the person you hire is qualified, experienced, and compliant. If something goes wrong, you do not want to be left paying out of pocket to correct issues or scrambling to chase down answers.
How can you choose a professional and reliable general contractor?
- Speak to multiple general contractors and compare their quotes.
- Ask lots of questions about how they communicate, what kind of warranty they offer and their process.
- Do your research – find online reviews or speak to past clients as references.
- Make sure they are legally set up with proper insurance, licences, and contracts.
Your general contractor is one of the most important members of your renovation team. Ask questions, do your due diligence, and choose someone who will support your project from start to finish.
2. Not Hiring an Interior Designer to Create Your Renovation Plan (Or Not Hiring One At All)
Many homeowners who try to DIY their design quickly realize how many decisions and details sit behind a space that looks effortless. Without a clear framework, the process can become overwhelming. Momentum is usually lost, and important details are easily missed.
An interior designer does far more than select finishes and decor. We create the framework that makes a renovation work. From layouts and cabinetry to materials, lighting, and drawings, we guide the details your build team depends on. We also help you spend wisely by sourcing strategically and planning around lead times, pricing shifts, and supply constraints.
How can you avoid this mistake? Hire an interior designer and involve them from the beginning of your project. When design is involved from the start, potential issues can be identified before walls are opened or orders are placed. Adjusting a layout to avoid moving plumbing or selecting alternative materials early on can save time, money, and stress later in the process.
3. Not Setting a Realistic Renovation Budget
Before you start any project, even something that feels small like updating a bathroom, ask yourself two questions: What do I want to renovate? How much can I afford to spend?
Every fixture, tile and cabinet choice adds up faster than most people expect, so your budget needs to account for more than just the obvious items.
Once you have a budget and priorities set, your contractor can give you a rough estimate. On top of that, you’ll want to leave room for the unexpected. We recommend a contingency fund of at least 10% to give you some breathing room.
Taking this approach early on makes your renovation feel much more manageable. You’re less likely to feel stressed about money, rushed into decisions, or caught off guard when something unexpected comes up.
4. Sticking Around During Your Home Renovation or Remodel
If you are partially or fully renovating your home, our strong recommendation is to move out if you can.
You may be thinking, “I can handle this. I’ll just do one area at a time, and live in the rest of my home. It’ll be fine.”
It will be fine. It won’t be great.
Renovations are loud, messy, and disruptive. There’s noise, dust, and a steady stream of trades coming in and out of your space. Living in the middle of that takes a toll, and it can also slow the project down if work has to pause or be adjusted around daily life.
Whenever possible, plan to stay somewhere else nearby so you can keep an eye on the project without living in it. Giving your contractor and trades uninterrupted access allows them to work efficiently and often helps move the project along more quickly, getting you back into your home sooner.
If you have to stay put during your renovation, learn how to manage in this article.
5. Stressing the Small Stuff
No renovation goes perfectly from start to finish. Even with the best planning, things will come up. You might uncover an issue behind the walls, need to address subfloor or structural details, or find that a product you selected is suddenly out of stock or discontinued.
When that happens, it helps to remember that this is normal. It’s also where having the right team makes a real difference. Your contractor and designer are there to manage these moments, offer solutions, and help you make the best decision based on their experience. It’s not your job to troubleshoot every hiccup along the way.
As hard as it can be, try to keep your focus on the bigger picture. The day-to-day adjustments tend to fade quickly once you start seeing the transformation happen. Trust us, in the end, you will not think about those little items you couldn’t control when you are sitting back and enjoying that glass of wine in your new kitchen!
Avoid the Costly Mistakes With Elle Cherie Design
You’ve probably heard sayings like “measure twice, cut once” or “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” They’ve stuck around for a reason. When it comes to renovations, it is almost always easier and less expensive to avoid a mistake than to fix one once work is underway.
At Elle Cherie Design, we offer full-service design where thoughtful planning matters just as much as beautiful design. Our role is to bring clarity and structure to the process, so you always know what’s happening and feel confident in the decisions being made.
Because we understand both the creative side of design and the technical details behind construction, we’re able to guide projects with a steady hand and help our clients avoid many of the common pitfalls we see along the way.
If you’re planning a renovation and want support from the very beginning, we’d love to talk. Reach out to book a discovery call, and let’s make sure your project starts on solid footing.