Biggest Regrets Homeowners Have After a DIY Renovation

Have you ever spent a Thursday evening watching your favorite DIY home improvement show and said, “Oh, I could do that!”

Whether you ever get around to that project is usually another story, but in the case of 2020, the pandemic left people with the extra time and funds. Soon, 89% of homeowners in the U.S. (according to a survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, or NKBA) were jumping at the chance to show they, too, could DIY with the best of them. 

How many of these projects ended in success? Fewer than you might think...

The NKBA found that 27% of American DIYers already have regrets.* Having been personally invited out to quite a few homes where “damage control” was needed, I think this number is actually a bit low. But more on that later.

What are the top 4 renovation regrets of 2020? And how can you avoid them? Let’s talk about it.

Regret #1: Timeline Miscalculations

According to the NKBA, kitchen and bathroom renovations were at the top of the list of projects people tackled. What DIYers didn’t realize is that most projects can’t be done in a few days, as TV would have you believe.

The timeline of a bathroom project, for example, can vary widely based on the scope of the project. If you’re moving walls and plumbing, that portion of the project could last 6-8 weeks. For a smaller scope project with materials delivered quickly, you are still looking at a 2-3 month timeline, or 3-4 months on the longer end. 

As a result of the pandemic, most materials were also back-ordered (and still are), taking months to arrive… which may have you regretting tearing out that toilet right away! 

What do the experts know that most people don’t?

In a professional project, we start by ordering and receiving the materials needed before “Demo Day” ever happens. This means you aren’t left without a bathroom for 3-4 weeks (a short lead time) or even 8-10 weeks (longer lead time). You’re welcome. :)

How long does a kitchen renovation take? We give you all the details here.

Bathroom renovation timelines vary greatly based on their scope. Check out this in-depth bathroom renovation timeline from one of our projects.

Regret #2: Budgeting… or Mis-budgeting the Project

Many people choose the DIY route because they want to save money. Saving money on supplies and labor seems like a great deal, but unforeseen problems and extended timelines can cause a DIY project to stall, or cause you to backtrack and hire a professional to finish the job. 

Unfortunately, unexpected costs can often cost more money than you original budgeted — and more than it would have cost to hire a professional from the get-go. Spending unnecessary money is one regret that 57% of DIYers experienced.* That’s more than half!

Planning an accurate renovation budget comes with years of experience and a complete understanding of the project’s scope and continues into the project, as we spot and circumvent potentially expensive mistakes. That’s what we are good at! 

In case you’re interested, here’s how to create a kitchen renovation budget. 

Regret #3: Results That Fall Short of Expectations

The best part of home improvement shows is the last 5 minutes. It’s all about the transformation! The homeowners cry happy tears, hug the hosts, and are on cloud nine. But it turns out that 32% of DIYers were disappointed with their pandemic renovation results.*

Why? 

Well, the truth is, many DIYers pick and choose their finishes as they go. There is no real plan except for a Pinterest or magazine photo guiding their design decisions. We know as designers that selecting all the materials at the start of the project creates a cohesive and professional look. When DIYers design on the fly, the design and final product suffers. (That’s why every renovation needs to start with a design consultation.)

Upgrading your kitchen, for example, is a huge investment and can cause massive regret if you don’t get the final result you have been imagining. Working with a professional — even just for a consultation — will already fast-track you toward the results you want. Read more about why you need a kitchen designer here. 

Regret #4: Not Hiring a Professional

Another interesting stat? 12% of DIYers wished they had hired a professional because their project ended up being too complicated.*

I’ve heard it said that “You can learn how to do anything online,” and that may be true, but choosing to take on plumbing, electrical, and even structural engineering is too much for an amateur, not to mention dangerous in many cases.

There are professionals for each of those areas of expertise, and learning how to do it for your one-time project will more than likely lead to expensive mistakes, regrettable mishaps, or even significant damage that has to be remedied later. Not to mention the frustration, overwhelm, and stress you will experience along the way.

I know it seems like a large upfront investment, but hiring a professional really does save you time and money long-term. Hiring a design-renovation firm like CKD allows you to accurately plan, budget, and complete a project. When we take on a project, you have a seamless and enjoyable renovation experience, and our custom process takes you from design concept to transformation without frustration.

We’d love to help you plan your renovation project without all the regret. If you have a project in mind, let’s chat!

— Sarah (& Steve)

*All statistics reported here by the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association.