6 Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid When Renovating Your Lancaster Home

Mistake #1: Jumping the Gun by Skipping Design

To be fully satisfied with your Lancaster home remodel, you’ve got to put in some serious planning before the hammers start swinging. We believe that one of the biggest differences between a good home remodel and a great one is found in the design phase. 

As a design-build company, we know that the best results come from a team approach. Our designers and builders are part of the same company, so they know how to work together, collaborating on ideas, solving problems creatively, and making your project the best it can be.

When you work with a designer to fully plan your project, you’ll benefit in several ways:

• Reduced decision fatigue as your designer will give you carefully curated options that fit your goals and tastes.
• Confidence in seeing your plan completely laid out in design concepts and 3D renderings.
• The personalized help of an industry-certified designer who listens to you and collaborates with you on every stage of the design process.
  
  

Mistake #2: Being Surprised by the Cost

Remodeling project costs vary greatly according to the scope of the work. As part of the preconstruction and design process, your team will help plan for your remodel financially. We always recommend setting aside part of your budget (10-30%) for contingencies, so that if anything unexpected comes up, you’re prepared.

That said, one of the benefits of working with a design-build team is that having all your designers and contractors under one roof ensures better communication, collaborative problem solving, and—to everyone’s relief—far fewer costly change orders. This detailed remodeling plan will help prevent cost overruns (read more about that here).

You can also avoid unpleasant budgetary surprises by

• communicating clearly with your team throughout the process.
• asking about local codes and restrictions, or special considerations for your specific remodel, and how they will play into your final cost (especially if your home is one of Lancaster’s historic homes).
• downloading our Home Remodeling Cost Guide to give you an idea about how much you can expect to spend for different types of Lancaster home remodeling.
• reading these blog posts, so you know what to expect when budgeting for your home, basement, bathroom, or kitchen remodel in Lancaster.

Mistake #3: Underestimating the Weight of Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue hits when you have to make a whole lot of decisions that matter to you, in a short amount of time. Sounds like a typical remodeling experience, right? While decision fatigue is real and can hit you when you’re planning your Lancaster home remodel, the right team will understand the weight and help you through it.

Setting clear priorities before you get started, giving yourself adequate time to think and plan, and breaking big decisions down are a few ways to stay on top of decision fatigue. Read about more ways we support you emotionally and mentally through the remodeling journey here.

Mistake #4: Not Focusing on Layout and Storage in Your Kitchen

One of the biggest kitchen remodeling mistakes you can make is failing to pay attention to the layout of your kitchen. 

One way to do this is to think about the work triangle—the sink, stove, and refrigerator—and the traffic flow between those three spaces. Streamline the cooking areas by ensuring you have enough, but not too much, space between them. You want to have plenty of elbow room while you work, but you don’t want to have to walk all the way across a big room to get the knife you need, or to stir something on the stove.

Maximize counter space and storage whenever possible. Keep in mind that special details—storage drawers, lazy susan cabinets, toe-kick storage—are easier and cheaper to add in when you are doing a remodel than down the road when you realize you do want them after all. And consider special items you want to store: a large coffee maker? A bread machine? Your grandmother’s china? Think about where those items will go.

Another important factor in the kitchen is accessibility. Making it easy for older adults and people with mobility challenges to get around and reach what they need could be helpful for you or others down the road. Consider the following:

• Using drawers instead of lower cabinets makes it easier to lift heavier items.
• Having a variety of counter heights allows people to stand or sit while they work.
• Keeping walkways wide allows for those with mobility challenges to navigate the space more easily.
• Using a variety of lighting makes the kitchen more pleasant for everyone, but also allows you to employ bright task lighting when safety requires it.

Mistake #5: Ignoring the Hard-Working Components of Your Bathroom

It’s easy to get caught up in the fun parts of remodeling a bathroom, like choosing tile and a new vanity. But bathroom remodeling mistakes can happen if you forget the unique mechanical and electrical details your bathroom needs. Luckily, a good remodeling contractor will be able to help you with these components, ensuring your remodel not only looks great but will last a long time.

• In a bathroom, ventilation is key. A good bathroom fan will help prevent mold and/or mildew, which can destroy walls, paint, and wallpaper, and can even pose health hazards.
• Add plenty of code-compliant electrical outlets, thinking about where you want them to be located based on how your family uses the room. 
• If you are thinking about aging in place in your home, consider a doorless, curbless, walk-in shower. Or maybe you’d prefer a wet room—where the whole bathroom is designed as an open-space plan with waterproof fixtures and flooring. This design gives a luxurious feel and supports accessibility.
• Make sure you use quality fixtures—especially in the plumbing—which have metal parts inside, instead of the more breakable plastic you will find in cheaper fixtures.

Mistake #6: Forgetting the Special Concerns of Basement Remodels

Basement remodels are unique because they are generally at least partially below grade (ground level). This means your contractor will be dealing with some special challenges. But a good design-build team will come into the project armed with a design plan that has already mapped out solutions to potential and actual issues. They’ll be ready to handle anything your Lancaster basement remodel needs.

Moisture is always a top concern in a basement. You may need moisture barriers, French drains, or other forms of waterproofing. And using moisture-resistant finishes will keep mold and mildew at bay. 

• For example, because it’s not usually recommended to use carpeting in a basement due to potential moisture issues, LVP might be a great option, with area rugs added for coziness. 
• You may also need moisture-resistant drywall, which is treated to prevent mold. (Proper moisture control will limit how much this will be necessary.)

It’s also important to deal with utilities. Most basements hold the home’s air conditioner, furnace, and water heater, and you will want to be able to easily access these for repairs. This may mean building a utility room or closet with lighting and an outlet. Your contractor can help you come up with a plan that safely accommodates utilities while concealing them from view.

And you may want to use high-grade insulation in your basement ceiling to muffle the sound of people walking above.

Choosing the Right Team

There’s a lot to think about when renovating in Lancaster County. Whether your home is a historical home, Colonial, or modern farmhouse, you want a team that understands the local architecture, building codes, and permits, and will be able to help you avoid these common remodeling mistakes. At McLennan Contracting, we are committed to making the remodeling experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Our team will inspire confidence and give you a beautiful home remodel that you and your family will love. 

Interested in learning more? Check out our cost guides. Read about our process. Or contact us today and schedule a Discovery Call. You’ll be glad you did!