If you're considering a home renovation, there are a few common mistakes that you can easily avoid with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced contractor. Listed below are three such mistakes and how your contractor can help.

Mistake #1: The Use of Cheap Materials

While there's nothing wrong with following a budget, you never want to buy the cheapest materials available because they'll end up costing you the most in the long run.

Purchasing cheap materials can be tempting, but it's very likely that the materials you saved money on will end up needing replacement sooner rather than later. You don't need to splurge and buy the most expensive materials on the market, but you do get what you pay for. If you're having trouble choosing the best materials for your renovation, consult with your contractor and get their opinion before making any costly decisions.

Mistake #2: Underestimating Your Budget

As mentioned above, following a budget during a home renovation is possible, but it's always better to overestimate what your home renovation will cost than underestimate.

There will always be unexpected expenses that crop up during the course of a home renovation, and it's a lot less stressful if such expenses are already built into your budget. How can you avoid underestimating? First, provide your contractor with a detailed plan of what you would like done. The more details you provide, the more accurate estimate your contractor can provide. Next, when your contractor provides you with an estimate, add 30% onto the cost of the estimate. This will give you a decent amount of wiggle room and lead to less stress.

Mistake #3: Failure to Expect the Unexpected

If you want to feel less stress during this home renovation project, it's important to expect the unexpected.

If you've followed the above advice, then you've already planned for unexpected expenses by adding an additional 30% onto your contractor's estimate. Expenses aren't the only unexpected aspect of renovations, however. Another aspect of home renovations that many homeowners fail to expect are time delays. Your contractor cannot rush the delivery of materials or expedite the process of filing for a permit. While your contractor will likely add a bit of wiggle room into the estimated deadline, you may still find yourself a bit behind, as delays can crop up unexpectedly. Discuss with your contractor how delays will be handled, and ask him what you can do to ensure that the least amount of unexpected delays occur.

For more information, contact Scott Camelin General Contracting or a similar company.