It is an exciting endeavor to plan a home remodel. You envision the new kitchen, renovated bathroom, or open living area. For many homeowners, the initial budget for remodelling tends to increase as soon as the project begins. 

The reason? Unexpected charges that were not part of your initial budget. Below, we discuss the most common homeowner cost traps to help you avoid them.

Permit and inspection fees

Home remodelling Murrieta CA requires some permits before your contractor can begin knocking down walls or installing new fixtures. These permits are priced differently based on your work. Different upgrades require approvals, including:

• Kitchen remodels
• Structural work 
• Electrical or plumbing upgrades.

Besides that, the city may demand inspections at various points to ascertain whether the work is code-worthy. These fees can accumulate rapidly. But not every homeowner remembers to add them to the budget. We recommend that you never finalize your numbers without asking your contractor what permits are going to be required and how much they will cost.

Structural surprises

A lot of homes in Murrieta were constructed in the 80s and 90s. After opening up walls or floors, many homeowners discover underlying issues. It can be:

• Rotted framing
• Termite damage
• Old-fashioned wiring
• Corroded plumbing. 

It is important to note that correcting these flaws is not optional. It is necessary to proceed safely.

This is one of the reasons not to underestimate the 10-15% contingency fund in your remodel budget. That buffer will allow you to absorb surprises without stalling your project.

Utility upgrades

Numerous remodels entail the following in terms of utilities:

• Repositioning of appliances
• Rewiring or installation of an additional plumbing line.

What homeowners fail to realize is that older Murrieta homes might not be able to accommodate the changes.

Adding things like a modern kitchen island with outlets might mean you would need to upgrade your electrical panel. Bathroom remodeling might imply re-plumbing or the pumping up of water heaters. These expenses may not appear on the first bid estimate, but may cost thousands when the work has started.

HOA restrictions and fees

Your home remodels may require the approval of your homeowners’ association in case your Murrieta home is under a planned community. HOAs may have restrictions on:

• Exterior work
• Paint color
• Window type
• Size of extension.

The fees incurred in submitting plans can be high. In case your design fails to pass the required regulations, you have to revise it, which costs some money and takes time.

It is a simple step that you can forget, but you should review your HOA rules prior to choosing your remodel design.

Demolition and disposal cost

Removing the old space cabinets, flooring, or drywall might look like an easy task. However, there is a cost associated with removing the debris. Remodeling estimators do not always include:

• Dumping fees
• Dumpster rentals 
• Labor to move the materials out of the home.

Depending on what you are working on, the cost of the disposals alone can exceed expectations. To ensure you don’t get a surprise bill, make sure that your contract has details on who is going to remove the debris and how much this service will cost you.

Living costs when remodeling

One of the expenditures that most homeowners do not consider is the cost of life adjustment during work. For instance:

• When you are remodeling a kitchen, then eating out is even more expensive. 
• A bathroom remodel may necessitate borrowing the facilities. 
• A full-home project may involve renting an apartment for a couple of weeks.

These are not real construction costs but are actual expenses in addition to the cost of your remodel. Making arrangements in advance puts your budget under control.

Exterior repairs and landscaping

Major renovations, especially additions, usually affect the exterior of your house. 

• Grass can also be torn up
• Fences may have to be moved
• New structures may necessitate grading around the foundation. 

These may not be included in the estimate of your contractor, but cannot be left out after your project has been completed. Spending a few dollars on exterior work will make your property complete when you finish the remodeling.

Contractor selection

Hiring the wrong contractor is a non-financial hidden cost that will impact your budget. A contractor who is underbidding can short-change or surprise you with markups during the work. It is particularly crucial to employ a licensed and insured remodeling contractor. They should know local codes and have a history of success in Murrieta.

Ask to:

• See detailed estimates
• Get references
• Get a written contract.

A good contractor saves you the unwanted expenses, and a bad one will cause you to exceed the budget.

Parting words

Home remodeling in Murrieta gives you an opportunity to design a home that functions the way you do. So, create an achievable budget and get the right contractor. This will balance your finances and enable a more enjoyable remodeling process.