Home additions can transform the look and feel of your home. They also represent one of the most expensive home improvement projects a homeowner can engage in. This is why you should always take the time to plan this type of renovation well, making sure to cover every detail of the project. However, there are common home addition mistakes that can derail a project and end up inflating the budget.

That’s why you need to be careful to avoid the following common home improvement missteps:

Hiring The Wrong Contractor
When you’re working with large-scale home improvement projects, you want to make sure you hire the right contractors for the job. Hiring the wrong team could mean the difference between a quality job and a total disaster. You should meet with several recommended general contractors. Compare their presentations, communication skills, and their prices before signing any contracts, and always check their online profile to find past reviews. In addition, make sure that they have had past experience with the home additions that interest you, like garages, decks, porch additions, or similar projects.

Not Keeping The Big Picture In Mind
According to HomeAdvisor’s 2017 True Cost Survey, spending on home improvement projects has increased by 60% in the last year as housing supply has dwindled. No matter the reason for your project, you need to make sure that you have a plan that keeps the budget in mind at all times. Talk to an architect or designer about your targeted budget before starting to design anything. This eliminates misunderstandings that could lead to a budgeting disaster.

If you’re planning smaller scale projects, then you can often work with companies that provide custom garages, porches, and storage buildings. These structures are easy to install onto your property but don’t require a massive financial investment.

Getting Building Permits Too Early or Too Late
You should wait to apply for building permits until the final design is in place. The permit application occurs once all the designing aspects have been completed and a general contractor has been hired. The reasoning behind this is that changes to the design could lead to you having to change the building permit, which costs more money. In addition to this, you might have to pay more for the contractor to work with the new design. Avoid having to pay more, and just wait for the design to be completed. Likewise, remember that applying for the necessary permits too late can cause unnecessary delays and expenses.

Whether it be garages, decks, porches, or other home improvement projects, you should avoid the above mistakes. Walking into the home improvement process unprepared will cost you more money in the long run, and you don’t need the added expense.