Home renovation mistakes can be costly. You spend good money on big improvements expecting to boost your home’s sales appeal, only to learn they actually hurt its value. And it’s likely you won’t get the cash you spent on the renovations back from the sale.
Here are nine home renovation mistakes to avoid.
1. Losing a bedroom
Deciding to sacrifice a bedroom to combine it with another to create a spacious primary suite or a walk-in closet can lower your property appraisal and limit your home’s marketability. Keep your bedroom count the same as the neighborhood average, experts advise.
2. Converting garages
Mac Rogers, a real estate broker associate in the San Francisco area, is not a fan of converting garages into extra living space.
“I get it, that extra family room, gym, or play space is tempting,” Rogers said on YouTube. “On paper, it looks like you’re gaining square footage without building an addition. But in reality, you’re usually losing something far more valuable: Secure parking and storage. I can’t tell you how many buyers I’ve worked with who flat out refuse to even look at homes without garages.”
3. Marble countertops and floors
Rogers also cautions homeowners against installing marble countertops in the kitchen.
“They’re gorgeous,” he admitted, “but let’s be honest about what it’s like to actually live with them.” While marble looks timeless and luxurious, “it requires constant attention and one slip up can leave a permanent mark. Unless you’re willing to baby your counters every single day, marble starts to look worn and tired quickly. That’s why a lot of my clients end up regretting it.”
He prefers quartz for its durability, stain resistance, and nearly maintenance-free beauty.
Marble floors are another luxury to avoid, according to Zillow. Again, it’s because of the high maintenance and likelihood of staining. Zillow recommends bluestone, travertine, or terracotta as flooring options with a good return on investment.
4. Extreme paint schemes
These paint-related mistakes can include at least three variations:
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Using bold and on-trend colors that experts say can quickly become dated.
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Painting each room in a home in drastically different colors.
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Going too neutral, with monotone colors throughout the house.
Instead, the Martha Stewart website advises you to choose “a cohesive palette and design your home around it” by using complementary colors in different rooms, with neutral-toned hallways.
5. Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor kitchens can be maintenance-intensive, which may deter prospective homebuyers.
“Here’s what I’ve seen again and again,” Rogers said. “The novelty wears off, and the problems start piling up. Because it’s outside, everything ages faster — rusting, fading, weather damage, critters chewing on wires, cobwebs, even animals nesting inside the cabinets. I’ve seen it all.”
He suggests a smaller, more flexible outdoor entertaining area, perhaps with a single, high-end grill. “It gives you the lifestyle without committing to something that’s going to age poorly and cost thousands to repair or replace,” he added.
6. Above-ground pools
The debate continues over the value-add of swimming pools in general, mainly due to concerns about liability and maintenance costs. However, above-ground pools almost always turn out to be “a huge regret,” Rogers said.
“They almost never add value, and in most cases, they actually hurt resale. I’ve shown plenty of homes with above-ground pools, and the reaction from buyers is always, ‘How much is it going to cost us to remove this?’ Not one buyer has ever told me, ‘Oh, wow! I always wanted an above-ground pool.'”
7. No tub
It’s common to upgrade bathrooms with rainfall showers and a spa-like atmosphere, but eliminating a home’s last bathtub can be costly. Many families looking to buy their next house will prefer at least one bathroom with a tub.
Installing the latest tub/shower upgrade can be a worthwhile alternative.
8. DIY upgrades
There are plenty of upgrades that a skilled do-it-yourselfer can accomplish. However, know your limitations.
“Visible DIY mistakes — like uneven tiling or poorly laid floors — could mean hidden problems to buyers,” a Zillow analysis said. “They may try to deduct the cost of a professional redo from their offer.”
9. Extensive landscaping
Elaborate landscaping may enhance curb appeal, yet many would-be buyers will be thinking, “How much is that going to cost in maintenance?”
You may be better served by adding or upgrading a home’s fencing.
Prioritize strategic updates for the strongest ROI
If you’re considering investing in some major home upgrades, it helps to know what buyers are looking for. These are the renovations buyers value most, according to a survey by Thumbtack and Redfin:
That said, if you’re about to list your home, that major reno you’re considering might not be worth the money.
Tamara Mattox-Kabat, a Redfin agent in Denver, believes that smaller, strategic updates deliver the strongest return on investment.
“Updates like painting exterior trim and the front door, refreshing interiors with a creamy white paint, replacing dated light fixtures and door handles, new hardware and faucets, and swapping original countertops for neutral quartz all dramatically elevate a home,” Mattox-Kabat told Yahoo Finance.
“Buyers respond to clean, decluttered, bright, move-in ready spaces. They don’t want to pay a premium for a full remodel that reflects the seller’s taste, not their own, and that they’ll likely redo,” she added.
