The thought of renovation mistakes brings me out in a cold sweat and this is what has put me off renovating my own home to the extent that it needs it. Mistakes are costly and some can be irreversible and the idea of getting it wrong scares me. Sure, renovating a home is exciting, but it’s also a totally overwhelming process. It’s easy to get caught up in the vision of your dream space, (just check out my Pinterest account if you’re in any doubt just how caught up I am with teh vision!) but without careful planning, small mistakes can quickly turn into expensive problems. And I ain’t got time or energy for expensive problems. From budget miscalculations to structural surprises hiding behind walls, home improvement projects can go off track in an instant. So how do we avoid the common renovation mistakes and save ourselves, time, stress and a whole heap of money? Let’s find out!
1. Cutting Costs on Renovation Materials
There’s a big difference between being budget-conscious and cutting corners. While it’s tempting to save money wherever possible, choosing the cheapest materials is one of the most common renovation mistakes homeowners make.
The reality? Low-quality materials wear out faster, need replacing sooner, and can even compromise the structural integrity or overall finish of your renovation. That bargain kitchen worktop might seem like a win—until it starts chipping after a few months. Cheap laminate flooring? It won’t hold up to heavy foot traffic for long.
Instead of opting for the cheapest option, focus on value and longevity. Prioritise high-traffic areas like flooring, countertops, and fixtures, where durability really matters. If budget is a concern, look for smart swaps—engineered wood instead of solid hardwood, quartz over marble, or a high-quality second-hand kitchen instead of a brand-new budget one.
2. Ignoring Structural Issues
Nothing derails a successful home renovation faster than discovering major structural problems after you’ve already started the finishing touches. Peeling back layers of an older home often reveals hidden issues—damp, crumbling plaster, faulty wiring, or even load-bearing walls that need reinforcement.
It’s frustrating (and expensive) to have to rip up brand-new flooring because a plumbing leak was ignored. That’s why structural repairs should always come first. Before picking out paint colours and cabinetry, invest in a thorough home inspection. Addressing foundational concerns, electrical updates, and plumbing repairs early on will save you from costly headaches down the line.
If your plans involve renovating a garage—whether as a workshop, utility room, or home gym—it’s essential to assess both the structure and the access points. Replacing an old or damaged door with one from a reputable overhead door company can improve insulation, boost security, and prevent issues like leaks or warping from costly water damage that could compromise your renovation efforts.
It is always worth organising a professional home inspection if you are in any doubt as to the structural integrity of your home.
3. Over-Renovating in Pursuit of Perfection
We all want our homes to look their best, but there’s a fine line between thoughtful improvements and over-renovating. Some of the most charming features in older homes—original beams, slightly uneven wooden floors, or period fireplaces—can get erased in the quest for ‘perfection.’
Over-renovating can also mean making changes that don’t align with the rest of the home’s character or neighbourhood. If you pour thousands into high-end renovations that outprice similar homes in your area, you may struggle to get a return on investment if you ever sell. This is when you need to decide whether it’s a better call to renovate or relocate.
The key? Enhance rather than erase. Preserve period details where possible, focus on timeless updates, and avoid ultra-trendy changes that could date quickly.
4. Neglecting Plumbing, Electrical, and Roofing Upgrades
It’s easy to focus on what you can see—beautiful tiles, sleek kitchen units, or stylish lighting—but what’s beneath the surface matters just as much. Ignoring essential upgrades to plumbing, wiring, or roofing can lead to expensive and disruptive problems down the road.
If your home has outdated plumbing or faulty electrics, these should be addressed before you start the aesthetic work. Ripping up brand-new flooring to replace faulty pipes or rewiring after plastering is the kind of renovation nightmare that’s best avoided.
Similarly, if your roof is in poor condition, investing in roof repairs now will protect your entire home from leaks, dampness, and heat loss. A good rule of thumb: focus on function before form—it’s much easier to add stylish details later than to redo major structural elements after finishing work is complete.
5. Choosing to DIY Over Calling in Experts
A DIY approach can be a great way to save money—but only if you know what you’re doing. While easy DIY home decor tasks like painting walls or installing shelving might be manageable, certain renovation tasks should always be left to the experts.
Electrical work, plumbing, and structural changes require specialist knowledge and certification—botching these jobs can be dangerous and, in some cases, illegal. Even seemingly simple jobs like tiling or flooring can cost double if mistakes need professional correction later.
If you’re determined to DIY, be honest about your skill level.Start with small projects and research thoroughly. But for major renovations, hiring experienced tradespeople will save time, money, and stress in the long run.
How to Avoid Common Renovation Mistakes
Avoiding common renovation mistakes isn’t just about knowing what not to do—it’s also about planning smart from the start. Here are some tips for a smooth, successful home renovation:
Set a Realistic Budget Always include a contingency fund for unexpected costs (10-20% extra is a good rule).
Prioritise Structural Work Plumbing, wiring, and roofing should be tackled before cosmetic updates.
Invest in Quality Choose durable materials for high-use areas to avoid costly replacements later.
Work With Skilled Tradespeople If a task requires expertise, hiring professionals is always the best option.
Don’t Rush Thoughtful planning will always yield better results than last-minute decisions and slow renovating gives you time to work out how you want to use your home and how you want your home to feel.
A well-planned renovation can transform your home without unnecessary stress or costly mistakes. By learning from these renovation mistakes, you can make confident choices that lead to a beautiful and long-lasting result.
This week, Artie McGowan, master plumber and owner of Colony Plumbing in Mobile, Ala., is back! He’s providing answers to more common plumbing problems, like dripping faucets, long waits for hot water and more.
He’s a long-time friend of mine who’s also done hundreds of jobs for my construction company.
Often, it’s easier to replace a dripping tub faucet than it is to repair it. (pastorscott, Getty Images Signature)
Dripping Faucets
What should you do if water pours from a shower-tub combo’s faucet while the shower is on and water drips from the shower head when it’s off?
Artie: If it’s a tub spout, the best thing to do is replace it. Some have repair kits, but it’s usually not worth it.
Unscrew the spout, take it to Home Depot, and they’ll have a replacement for it that will more than likely match it very easily.
With older faucets that have a third handle in the middle, you’ll need to take the stem assembly out and put a backup seal on it as well as a new washer. This can get complicated, so I’d suggest calling a plumber.
Also, call a plumber if you have a newer single-lever valve that has a push button under the handle instead of a spout to divert the water.
If your water takes a long time to heat up, it’s time to invest in a hybrid recirculating valve. (aristotoo, Getty Images Signature)
Long Waits for Hot Water
What’s the best way to address long wait times for hot water to reach the faucet?
Artie: If you have a tank water heater, you can install a hybrid recirculating valve on the top. Once you do that, install take a transfer valve on the faucet plumbing. This pushes the hot water gently into the cold side — that way you don’t have to run a separate recirculation line.
This gives you hot water much more quickly in bathrooms that are farther away from the water heater.
The other way, of course, is to install a recirculation line, but the problem with that is you have to find a way to snake it through the house.
Tankless water heaters nowadays have a recirculating pump already installed. If you don’t want to go tankless, you can invest in a hybrid hot water heater.
If your water meter lacks a flow indicator, write down the numbers that appear on the meter followed by the number on the hand of the large rotary dial. Check the meter again after an hour and write down any changes in the numbers or dials. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Finding a Water Leak
What is the best way to diagnose a leak around or in your home?
Artie: I suggest turning off all the appliances that use water in your home and checking the meter. Most newer meters have a tattletale dial on them, so you can see if any water is being used when everything is turned off.
Older meters will have a triangle that turns. With the newer digital ones that you can read with the satellite, you need to close the lid and open it again. On the right, you’ll see a tattle tale number that will let you know if you’re losing any amount of water.
If after you’ve done this and you see the meter is moving, turn off the valve to the water heater. This kills half the water to the house. If the meter is still moving, then you know the problem is on the cold side and the problem could be in the yard or underneath the foundation.
If it did stop moving after you turned off the water heater, then the problem is on the hot side, and you know where to look.
Electric water heaters take longer to recover after all the hot water has been used. (JulNichols, Getty Images Signature)
Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters
If you have a choice between an electric water heater and a gas one, which would you choose?
Artie: If gas is available, I’ll always go with gas. It recovers quicker, it’s cheaper to run and it’s much more efficient.
Electric takes longer to recover and heat up. You can wait a half hour, 45 minutes for the tank to heat back up. And if you have a large family on a 50-gallon tank, you could be waiting two hours on hot water.
Draining your water heater once a year removes sediment from the tank that can cause it to work harder and cost more to use. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Draining a Water Heater
Why is it important to drain your water heater at least every couple of years?
Artie: Believe it or not, most people do nothing to their water heaters.
When high-velocity water is being used (pressurized water to push debris out of pipes to prevent blockage), all that crust builds up and drops to the bottom of the heater.
Even if there’s a swifter in the bottom that pushes it around to get it out of the system, it cakes up down there. And then, you’ll start to lose the efficiency of your heat.
Imagine putting a thick layer of insulation on the bottom of your tank, and the tank has to heat through that to get through the water. This is why you should drain your water heater at least every two years.
Ask a question and we could answer it on the “Today’s Homeowner Podcast!” We also may use it on our nationally syndicated radio broadcast or on todayshomeowner.com.
This week, Artie McGowan, master plumber and owner of Colony Plumbing in Mobile, Ala., joins me to provide solutions to some of the most common plumbing problems, like low water pressure and clogged drains.
He’s a long-time friend of mine who’s also done hundreds of jobs for my construction company.
Increasing the water pressure on a sink faucet might be as simple as cleaning the aerator. (Koldunova_Anna, Getty Images)
Low Water Pressure
If a homeowner is experiencing low water pressure, what would be the likely cause?
Artie: Well sometimes, it might just be that ol’ cousin Earl parked his truck over your water meter and squished the line. But more often than not it’s something else.
First, take a look at where the problem is. In the kitchen bathroom sink or lavatory, sometimes debris comes up through the water and gets into the faucet aerator to slow it down or almost clog it.
Some houses are a bit more complicated and have a water pressure-reducing valve that comes right off the meter. When it does, it goes bad over the years. It’s best to let a professional repair this because most of the time it has to be replaced.
If you need to replace a 3/4-inch supply line, is there any advantage to stepping that up to a 1-inch line?
Artie: The best thing to do is to increase it. This will give you a little bit more velocity at the faucet.
When the water’s running through, let’s say if you run it through a small half-inch line, once the fixture starts delivering that water, the pressure drops really quickly.
The larger pipe you have, the more volume of water you have. It’s less likely to drop in pressure, especially if it’s a long run to the house.
What would you say is the right PSI going to a house?
Artie: The optimal water pressure I prefer is 75 PSI on a three-quarter line. Most city water is about that PSI, some of it is in the 60s and 50s, depending on how new the system is.
On wells, most of the time it’s about 45 PSI, but you can increase it. A well has a pressure holding tank, so you can have a little bit lower pressure at the pump, but that tank will keep it up.
Occasionally, sinks clog, and when that happens, you don’t need to call a handyman or plumber to fix the problem. (laymul, Getty Images)
Slow Draining
We get a lot of questions about how to fix a slow-draining sink or tub. What is the common cause?
Artie: If you run the water and it backs up immediately, the clog is between the top of the sink and the bottom of the trap. It’s more likely hair catching on a trip lever that operates the pop-up valve. Easily fix this by removing the pop-up valve and pulling the hair out with needle-nose pliers.
But, if you run the water and it takes about 30 seconds for it to fill up, the problem is down the line in the drain. It could be five, six, or 10 feet away from where you are. If that’s the case, you use a liquid drain cleaner with high sulfuric acid content. You can easily find this type because it’s packaged double — in a bottle and also in a bag.
Follow the directions, and wear the proper safety equipment, like glasses and gloves. You should let it sit in the drain for about 30 minutes.
If it doesn’t work, then call a professional to route it out with an auger.
A running toilet wastes a lot of water and costs you a lot of cash. (DepositPhotos)
Running Toilet
Another common question we receive is that their toilet seems to be constantly running. What’s the cause/solution for that?
Artie: This means there’s a problem with the flush valve, the apparatus that holds the flapper.
Most times, you need to replace the flapper, but sometimes it could be a crack in the flush valve and water is finding its way into the bowl.
You can do the food coloring test to check for leaks. Then, you know the problem is in the flush valve and flapper area.
There are many products out there that make flapper replacement easy. For instance, Fluidmaster’s 502 PerforMAX Water-Saving, Adjustable Flapper offers a customized flush. To use it, you just have to turn the dial left for more water per flush, or right for less, depending on your needs.
The good thing about plumbing today is that it’s become so user-friendly because of products like Fluidmaster’s. I use their flappers, fill valves and flush valves often because I’ve had so much success with them.
Simple lifestyle changes can conserve water, one of our most precious resources, and save money. (aristotoo, Getty Images Signature)
Water conservation is fast becoming a priority for many homeowners.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that leaks account for 9,400 gallons of water wasted each year. That’s about the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry.
Whether your reason for conserving water is mandated because of a drought or to combat high utility bills, adopt these simple water-saving measures to dramatically cut your home’s water usage.
Here are the 5 hot spots to tackle.
Insulating water pipes with foam helps water heat up faster, so you waste less time waiting for hot water. (nsj-images, Getty Images Signature)
1. Home Infrastructure and Appliances
To conserve more water in your home, start at the source.
First, check for leaks in the pipes. A visual inspection can quickly reveal any problems that need repairs.
In addition, read your water meter when no water is being used, then look at it again after a few hours to see if the gauge has changed.
Fixing the leak could be as simple as replacing a faucet washer, or you may discover a more serious problem such as an unseen leak in a pipe.
Here’s a win-win solution: Installing foam insulation on hot water pipes saves both water and energy by providing hot water faster and keeping it hot longer. This reduces the water wasted from running the tap to heat it up.
Finally, when replacing appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, look for models that have earned the U.S. government’s Energy Star rating, certifying they use less water and energy.
Plumbing fixtures such as faucets and toilets that carry the Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense label use, on average, 20 percent less water than conventional fixtures.
Fluidmaster’s 400H Toilet Fill Valve fixes a constantly running, noisy or slow-filling toilet and is one of the quietest fill valves available. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
2. Your Bathrooms
Toilets are the largest users of water in the home — but some of them are more efficient than others. Look on the bottom of the tank lid, or inside the tank wall, to find the date your toilet was manufactured. Toilets made before 1993 use two to three times the water of new ones.
If you have an older model, consider replacing it with a new low-flush or a dual-flush toilet that can use as little as 1 gallon per flush for maximum water conservation.
If replacing a toilet isn’t in your budget, add a few inches of gravel or sand to a plastic soft drink bottle, fill it with water, screw on the cap, and put it in the tank away from the float and flapper. The increased volume from the bottle reduces the amount of water in the tank, so less is used per flush.
If you notice your toilet refilling periodically when it hasn’t been flushed, it’s a sure sign your toilet has a leak. These leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water if not repaired.
A constantly running toilet, weak or incomplete flushing and a slow-filling tank aren’t just frustrating — they can also increase your water usage.
The DIY-friendly kit comes with a toilet fill valve, flush valve with stainless-steel bolts, Tank-To-Bowl Gasket and color-coded tools for the fastest installation possible and, if necessary, a complete tank rebuild. It eliminates the need for extra trips to the store for an unknown part or tool — and that saves time, money and frustration.
To conserve more water, change up your hygiene routine. Reducing time spent in the shower can save 2 to 5 gallons of water per minute, or GPM. Installing a water-saving showerhead will prevent thousands of gallons a year from going down the drain.
To see if you need a new showerhead, put a 5-gallon bucket in the shower and turn on the water. If it fills in less than two minutes, consider replacing the showerhead with a water-saving model that uses two GPM or less.
Finally, leaving the faucet running while you shave or brush your teeth wastes water. Turn the water off while you brush and fill the sink to rinse your razor.
Only running a dishwasher when it’s full can save nearly 320 gallons of water annually. (Irina Drazowa-Fischer, Getty Images)
3. The Kitchen
A few changes in the kitchen can significantly cut down your water usage. For instance, thaw frozen food in the refrigerator overnight instead of using a running tap of hot water — it’s not necessary.
When used properly, a dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full and use water-saving settings for more efficiency. Doing this saves the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually.
If you hand-wash, fill one side of a double sink with soapy water for washing and the other with clean water for rinsing. Letting your faucet run for five minutes while washing dishes can waste 10 gallons of water.
Also, install low-flow aerators on faucets — these reduce water flow to one gallon per minute or less.
Finally, do you drink a lot of tap water? If so, don’t keep the water running until it cools off for drinking. Instead, fill a pitcher or bottle and keep it in the fridge.
Don’t do laundry until you have enough clothes for a full load. (Oksana Vejus via Canva)
4. Your Laundry Room
Washing clothes accounts for the second-largest water use in the home. Put off doing laundry for the sake of water conservation.
Only run the washer with a full load of clothes and use the shortest cycle for lightly soiled clothing. And if you really want to reduce water use, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses up to 5 gallons more water per load.
While washing clothes in cold water saves energy by reducing water heating, it uses the same amount of water as warm or hot settings.
Every year, we waste billions of gallons of water to keep our lawns and gardens green. Much of this water is lost due to overwatering, evaporation, poor sprinkler design or lack of maintenance.
Use a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose to reduce water use. These methods deliver water slowly and directly to the plant’s roots, and much less water is lost to evaporation.
If you have a programmable irrigation system, install a rain sensor. It will interrupt the program cycle when it rains, so you won’t overwater your lawn.
Better yet, start at the ground level to keep your water use at a minimum. Choose native and drought-tolerant plants to create a water-smart landscape that’s beautiful and efficient.
Here are some other water conservation options for the yard:
Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them down.
Wash the car with water from a bucket, or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.
If you have a pool, use a cover to reduce evaporation when it’s not in use.
Following these water-saving tips can reduce household water use by 30 percent or more.
Start simple by changing wasteful habits and fixing leaks, then move up to installing water-saving fixtures and appliances.
Not only will it save money, but you’ll also reduce the needless drain on one of our most precious resources.
Water conservation is fast becoming a priority for many homeowners.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that leaks account for 9,400 gallons of water wasted each year. That’s about the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry.
Whether your reason for conserving water is mandated because of a drought or to combat high utility bills, adopt these simple water-saving measures to dramatically cut your home’s water usage.
Here are the 5 hot spots to tackle.
Insulating water pipes with foam helps water heat up faster, so you waste less time waiting for hot water. (nsj-images, Getty Images Signature)
1. Check Fixtures and Appliances
To conserve more water in your home, start at the source.
First, check for leaks in the pipes. A visual inspection can quickly reveal any problems that need repairs.
In addition, read your water meter when no water is being used, then look at it again after a few hours to see if the gauge has changed.
Fixing the leak could be as simple as replacing a faucet washer, or you may discover a more serious problem such as an unseen leak in a pipe.
Here’s a win-win solution: Installing foam insulation on hot water pipes saves both water and energy by providing hot water faster and keeping it hot longer. This reduces the water wasted from running the tap to heat it up.
Finally, when replacing appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, look for models that have earned the U.S. government’s Energy Star rating, certifying they use less water and energy.
Plumbing fixtures such as faucets and toilets that carry the Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense label use, on average, 20 percent less water than conventional fixtures.
Fluidmaster’s 400H Toilet Fill Valve fixes a constantly running, noisy or slow-filling toilet and is one of the quietest fill valves available. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
2. Improve Your Toilets
Toilets are the largest users of water in the home — but some of them are more efficient than others. Look on the bottom of the tank lid, or inside the tank wall, to find the date your toilet was manufactured. Toilets made before 1993 use two to three times the water of new ones.
If you have an older model, consider replacing it with a new low-flush or a dual-flush toilet that can use as little as 1 gallon per flush for maximum water conservation.
If replacing a toilet isn’t in your budget, add a few inches of gravel or sand to a plastic soft drink bottle, fill it with water, screw on the cap, and put it in the tank away from the float and flapper. The increased volume from the bottle reduces the amount of water in the tank, so less is used per flush.
If you notice your toilet refilling periodically when it hasn’t been flushed, it’s a sure sign your toilet has a leak. These leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water if not repaired.
A constantly running toilet, weak or incomplete flushing and a slow-filling tank aren’t just frustrating — they can also increase your water usage.
The DIY-friendly kit comes with a toilet fill valve, flush valve with stainless-steel bolts, Tank-To-Bowl Gasket and color-coded tools for the fastest installation possible and, if necessary, a complete tank rebuild. It eliminates the need for extra trips to the store for an unknown part or tool — and that saves time, money and frustration.
To conserve more water, change up your hygiene routine. Reducing time spent in the shower can save 2 to 5 gallons of water per minute, or GPM. Installing a water-saving showerhead will prevent thousands of gallons a year from going down the drain.
To see if you need a new showerhead, put a 5-gallon bucket in the shower and turn on the water. If it fills in less than two minutes, consider replacing the showerhead with a water-saving model that uses two GPM or less.
Finally, leaving the faucet running while you shave or brush your teeth wastes water. Turn the water off while you brush and fill the sink to rinse your razor.
Only running a dishwasher when it’s full can save nearly 320 gallons of water annually. (Irina Drazowa-Fischer, Getty Images)
3. Make Changes in the Kitchen
A few changes in the kitchen can significantly cut down your water usage. For instance, thaw frozen food in the refrigerator overnight instead of using a running tap of hot water — it’s not necessary.
When used properly, a dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full and use water-saving settings for more efficiency. Doing this saves the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually.
If you hand-wash, fill one side of a double sink with soapy water for washing and the other with clean water for rinsing. Letting your faucet run for five minutes while washing dishes can waste 10 gallons of water.
Also, install low-flow aerators on faucets — these reduce water flow to one gallon per minute or less.
Finally, do you drink a lot of tap water? If so, don’t keep the water running until it cools off for drinking. Instead, fill a pitcher or bottle and keep it in the fridge.
Don’t do laundry until you have enough clothes for a full load. (Oksana Vejus via Canva)
4. Adjust Your Laundry Room Routine
Washing clothes accounts for the second-largest water use in the home. Put off doing laundry for the sake of water conservation.
Only run the washer with a full load of clothes and use the shortest cycle for lightly soiled clothing. And if you really want to reduce water use, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses up to 5 gallons more water per load.
While washing clothes in cold water saves energy by reducing water heating, it uses the same amount of water as warm or hot settings.
Every year, we waste billions of gallons of water to keep our lawns and gardens green. Much of this water is lost due to overwatering, evaporation, poor sprinkler design or lack of maintenance.
Use a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose to reduce water use. These methods deliver water slowly and directly to the plant’s roots, and much less water is lost to evaporation.
If you have a programmable irrigation system, install a rain sensor. It will interrupt the program cycle when it rains, so you won’t overwater your lawn.
Better yet, start at the ground level to keep your water use at a minimum. Choose native and drought-tolerant plants to create a water-smart landscape that’s beautiful and efficient.
Here are some other water conservation options for the yard:
Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them down.
Wash the car with water from a bucket, or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.
If you have a pool, use a cover to reduce evaporation when it’s not in use.
Following these water-saving tips can reduce household water use by 30 percent or more.
Start simple by changing wasteful habits and fixing leaks, then move up to installing water-saving fixtures and appliances.
Not only will it save money, but you’ll also reduce the needless drain on one of our most precious resources.
