14 Things the DIY Community Gets Completely Wrong About Home Renovation

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There has probably never been a bigger DIY home renovation craze than there is today, with people being swayed by YouTube tutorials, Pinterest boards, and Instagram posts saying that you can do anything on your own. While it’s great to get your hands dirty and save some cash, not everything you see or hear in the DIY community is true. Misinformation abounds that could cause your renovation dreams to come crashing down (literally) before they even get started. In many cases what appears to be a simple project can become a mine field of problems if steps are missed or misunderstood.

If you’ve ever done your own renovation project, you may know some of these DIY myths first hand. Before you pick up that sledgehammer or paintbrush, here are a few things the DIY crowd gets completely wrong about home renovation.

Everything Looks Easy… on TV

Real talk: home renovation shows make everything seem easy. In under 30 minutes, commercial breaks and all, a kitchen gets transformed. They don’t show you the army of professionals that work behind the scenes or the weeks (or months) it actually takes to get the job done. Renovations don’t exactly equal reality when it comes to reality TV.

Skipping Permits to Save Time

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While it might not seem like much of a hassle to get permits for your renovation, missing out on them can come back to haunt you. Nobody wants to be the person whose kitchen redo gets flagged for code violations. It can not only delay your project, but it will also cost you more in fines and fees later on.

Assuming That All Paint Is the Same

One of the most common DIY mistakes is assuming any paint will do for any surface. Outdoor, indoor, bathroom, kitchen, etc. paint is formulated for different purposes. The wrong type of paint can peel, grow mold, or worse. The right paint always goes for the right space.

Learning Electrical Work Yourself

We’ve all heard the ‘I can do it myself’ mantra from the overly confident DIYer. You may be able to change a light fixture, but without proper knowledge this can be extremely dangerous. Nobody wants to have a shocking experience, so leave those complicated electrical tasks to the pros.

Rushing the Prep Work

Everyone wants to the fun part of a renovation: slapping on the fresh coat of paint or laying down that new floor. Of course, skipping or rushing through the prep work can lead to big problems later on. Not priming surfaces well, not cleaning and sanding before painting, or not leveling floors, can all cause bad prep, which in the long run means more work (and expense) for you.

Taking Down Walls Is No Big Deal

Many people think that knocking down a wall is the ultimate power move in any renovation, thanks to those dramatic TV moments. However, we wouldn’t recommend removing walls, especially load bearing walls, lightly. If you do it wrong, you can actually compromise the structure of your home. Don’t get the sledgehammer out until you’ve consulted a professional.

Going Cheap on Materials

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Budget friendly options might sound enticing, but when it comes to picking out materials for your project, the cheapest options are often the worst ones. Worse, low quality flooring, countertops, and fixtures can wear out or break prematurely, requiring you to redo the work sooner than you want. Where it counts, it’s worth investing in quality so you don’t have to keep repairing.

Believing That It Will Always Be Cheap

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The promise of the DIY movement is to save money, but that’s not always what it’s really about. Yes, you save on labor costs, but what about the mistakes that can wind up costing you more to fix? Those costs can rack up quickly if you make a wrong cut or install something incorrectly — sometimes more than what it would’ve cost a professional to do it right the first time.

Not realising how much time it would take

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One thing is for certain — DIY projects take longer than expected. But many DIYers think they’ll be able to knock out a bathroom renovation in a weekend, only to be still working on it weeks later. Things happen in life, tools get broken, and unexpected issues come up. For any project you do, budget extra time (and patience).

Overlooking Structural Issues

If you’re ignoring the real problems underneath, cosmetic upgrades can only go so far. A fresh coat of paint can freshen up a room, but if you have water damage, rot, or foundation problems, that paint isn’t going to do anything. You always need to fix the root issues first before touching up the cosmetic.

Pinning Too Much Pinterest Inspiration

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While Pinterest is a great source of inspiration, it’s easy to forget that those beautifully styled rooms may not be practical—or even possible—in your own home. Not all the ideas you see online will work with your layout, budget, or skillset. The plan should be achievable and it should be functional.

Failing to Budget for Hidden Costs

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Even if you plan carefully, there will always be surprise costs in a renovation. You may find old plumbing that needs replacing or you may need more materials than you thought. Many DIYers underestimate these hidden costs and they can really throw a wrench in even the best laid plans. It is always good to budget a little wiggle room.

Thinking You Don’t Need Professional Help

DIY is a great way to learn and get creative but it’s never a bad idea to seek the help of professionals on more complicated projects. If you can do painting or tiling, you can do them, but plumbing, electrical work, or structural changes are best done by the experts. A small amount of professional guidance can save you a lot of expensive and dangerous mistakes.

The Importance of a Design Plan

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A lot of DIYers just jump into a project with a ‘figure it out as I go’ attitude, but without a solid design plan, your renovation can devolve into a mishmash of mismatched styles and half finished ideas. Planning out the design, layout and flow of the space will really help the final product be more cohesive and easier to use.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.