blog-banner

Are you looking for a contractor?

Submit our quick form and get quotes now!

Five Useful Home Renovation Tips

By Editorial Team

Updated on November 8, 2024

Since home renovations can either be a great experience or a real nightmare, here are 5 useful renovation tips that will help you complete your project to obtain the best possible results.

Here are 5 essential tips from renovation experts 

1) Prioritize according to the most pressing needs

Although the idea of starting renovations comes often with a desire to improve the appearance of a home, it is important to keep in mind that aesthetic renovations are not always the ones that allow your property to gain value. While some renovation projects may be recognized as more profitable than others (such as the bathroom and the kitchen), remember that renovations that keep your home in good condition are a priority.

That's why projects such as replacing roofing or plumbing should be at the top of your list of priorities. Do you have an insulation problem? Do your windows let in the cold or the foundations of your home reveal cracks? All of these situations require prompt intervention to prevent your home from deteriorating. Don't hesitate to call in a professional as soon as possible!

Would you like to move soon and have to sell your house? Check out our article Renovation Project that Will Help You Sell Your House.

2) Don’t overestimate your own skills

If you trust your knowledge about home renovation and you have all the tools that are required for the task, you could definitely save money by completing some of the work yourself. However, if you’re not really qualified to do certain tasks, you’ll probably feel overwhelmed.

Not only could rookie mistakes cost you a lot to repair but in certain cases (electricity, plumbing), in order to conform with building norms, you need to have a licence to do the work. Therefore, when you're looking to renovate, it is often wiser to hire experienced contractors. After all, everyone should stick to what they know.

Check out the following articles for more info:

renovation contractor_Renovation Experts: Five Useful Home Renovation Tips

3) Favour value over money

Owners that renovate their property often look for ways to save money and in doing so, they are only partly right. It's always a good thing to compare prices for materials and contractors. Since the field of renovation is so competitive, you should take the time to shop wisely.

Still, quality should never be sacrificed in the interest of getting a better price. Poor quality materials and unskilled workers will end up costing more in the long run and could even cause serious problems. Therefore, instead of looking for cheaper prices just for the sake of saving a few dollars, try instead to look for things that offer good value AND quality.

Here are more tips on how to save money when renovating:

house plan_Renovation Experts: Five Useful Home Renovation Tips

4) Predict the unpredictable

Even though some cases are unpredictable, know that more than one out of two renovation projects end up costing more than planned. Therefore, you should always add an extra 10% (at the very least) to your renovation budget for unplanned expenses. If no problems arise as the renovations are being completed, you could use that extra money for other projects or just save it.

For more on how to manage a renovation budget, check out our article How to establish a realistic renovation budget?

It should also be noted that our cost calculator could be a great help in estimating the cost of your next renovation project!

5) Respect your renovation budget

We’ll never put enough emphasis on the importance of establishing a budget! If you take the time to do it properly before the renovation begins, you should stick to it! Too many owners add things during the process, like another tap, more hardwood floors, a few drawers… If you add all those little extras, your expenses will end up skyrocketing!

For those of you who are on a tight budget, always try to stick to what you had planned in the beginning. If you feel like you really want to add something, recalculate your budget and make sure you can afford it before taking any concrete actions. A renovation project should not put you into a financial crisis.

You need more information on how to plan a budget or other essential steps to take before diving into a renovation project? Read our article Five Things to Do Before You Renovate Your Home.

Don't forget to check out our 2020 Home renovation price guide.

table with tools_Renovation Experts: Five Useful Home Renovation Tips

Try our checklists to organize your renovation projects 

To help you create a structure that will allow you to make the progress of your project simpler, we've created checklists. These articles contain a broad range of information about materials, the steps to follow and the different elements to take into account.

Here are the links to the different checklists: 

Get 3 renovation quotes for your renovation project

RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your home renovation project. If you submit your project to us, we’ll put you in contact with the appropriate contractors for your project. Fill in the form below (it only takes a few minutes), and you will receive quotes from home renovation specialists.

Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives.


Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!

Looking for something else?

Table of contents

4 min read

Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!

Are you a contractor?

Join our network and receive real leads!

Download the price guide for renovations

We’ll be emailing you the latest market price guide for renovations.



Related articles

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.

5 min read

Amanda Harvey

07 Nov 2023

Safety First: How to Use Power Tools Correctly

Power tools are a common part of our lives and sometimes it’s hard to remember that they pose a hazard. Since these tools pack a punch and are designed to penetrate even the toughest of materials and surfaces, they are dangerous. As a homeowner, it is important to recognize the different precautions one must take when using power tools and follow the correct safety measures accordingly.

Renovation tips
6 min read

Editorial Team

17 Jan 2025

10 examples of small rooms with smart layouts

A lack of space can be seen as an obstacle when thinking about the layout of our home. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it will necessarily be more complicated. Instead, it's all a matter of perception.

Renovation tips
4 min read

Editorial Team

07 Nov 2023

Reasons To Hire An Electrician: Indoor Projects

Some capable homeowners may feel comfortable tackling electrical work themselves. Replacing a light bulb or a circuit might seem a simple task. However, hiring an electrician simply makes sense in terms of respecting your budget, keeping your family safe as well as saving time and energy. Electrical contractors are crucial to home electrical projects running smoothly, as they understand the dangers of electrical work and know how to navigate them correctly.

5 min read

Editorial Team

16 Oct 2024

5 Financial Aid Programs for a Greener Home

Compared to other Canadian provinces, Quebec was shown to be a leader in a study led by Ecohome on LEED-certified homes in Canada. Quebeckers have access to numerous government-issued financial assistance programs to subsidize their eco-friendly choices.  

7 min read

Editorial Team

16 May 2024

How to Install Railings on a Deck

Is your deck finally ready but you’re still on the fence about what kind of railing best suits what you’re looking for?


Looking for a contractor?

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes now!