There’s nothing wrong with saving some time and money by doing renovations yourself. In fact, we love many DIY projects and how empowered they make homeowners feel! There are some tasks that are best left to the pros though, or at minimum, they need to be completed with the right products. Check out these DIY kitchen reno mistakes to learn what to avoid when you remodel.
Painting without Prep – Sanding, Stripping, Taping, etc.
The preparation steps are arguably the most important elements of the painting process. This includes taping off the trim, sanding down glossy finishes, stripping off old paint and protecting the floors with drop cloths.
If you’re going to paint your cabinets, trim, walls or anything else, take the time to prep the area. This is a pain to do, but it makes a world of difference. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen paint flake off the cabinets because no one sanded the gloss off the original finish. Your paint shouldn’t come off like a sticker when it scratches! Dedicate extra time for preparation, and you’ll be much happier with the results.
Using Tub and Tile Paint Kits
DIY tub paint kits are a prime example of “too good to be true.” They make it seem real simple – all you have to do is paint your tub! In reality, all you’re doing is creating a new layer that’s going to chip and scratch in a couple years.
Tub and tile paint kits are not as durable as the professional-grade urethane that professional refinishing companies use. You’ll only spend a little more money to get the tub refinished professionally, but you’ll be able to enjoy it for a decade or more. When you compare cost and longevity, pro refinishing is the way to go.
Spray Painting Faucets and Knobs
Spray paint seems like a cheap and easy way to upgrade your faucets without replacing them. This may look good initially, but the paint is going to come off quickly. Faucets face a ton of wear and tear, and that’s coupled with the intense heat and moisture in the sink area. You’re much better off buying a fixture in the finish you like, rather than spray painting with shotty results.
You can spray paint your door handles and drawer pulls if you want. They won’t go through the same wear and tear as your faucets. Test one handle before you commit to painting them all, and if you don’t like how it looks, use fingernail polish remover to get the paint off.
Not Establishing a Contingency Fund
Problems are going to come up. It doesn’t matter how big or small your kitchen renovation is. If you can set aside an additional 10% of the budget for contingency funds, you won’t have to stress about the unexpected. If you don’t use the funds, great! But if an issue arises, you have money available to cover it.
Not Knowing When to Stop
This is an extremely common issue, especially for first time homeowners. They get into this vicious cycle” “If we do this, we might as well do that.” Pretty soon, you’ve spent thousands of extras on things you didn’t initially plan to do. Create a stopping point that you feel comfortable with, and continue other improvements later on. You have plenty of time to get the kitchen of your dreams.
Replacing Instead of Refinishing
You might be surprised by how much you can refinish in your kitchen! Don’t like the look of your countertops but they’re still in good shape? Get them refinished. Not a fan of the color of your backsplash? Get it refinished! Tile refinishing, cabinet refinishing, countertop refinishing, sink refinishing – the list goes on and on. Making use of the materials you already have will prevent demolition and speed up your reno.
Contact Maryland Tub and Tile at 877-717-8827 to schedule a quote for kitchen cabinet refinishing services.
