Home renovation: 10 mistakes to avoid before starting your project

Renovating a house is an exciting project... but it can quickly become a real headache if you don't plan ahead properly. Between hard-to-find tradespeople, incomprehensible quotes, delays and unpleasant surprises, many homeowners make the same mistakes.

The good news?

By knowing what they are, you can easily avoid them and start your renovation with peace of mind;

Here are the 10 most common mistakes you should never make before starting your renovation work.

1. Not clearly defining your renovation budget

Many projects go off track because the budget is not sufficiently prepared from the outset.

Possibles consequences :

• Possible consequences:
• Significant cost overruns
• Work halted midway through
• Inability to finance the finishing touches
• Poor prioritisation of items
  
  

How can you avoid this mistake?

• Make a list of priority tasks
  
• Obtain several quotes for comparison
  
• Add a contingency margin of 10 to 15% (unforeseeable costs in renovation)

A clear budget = a controlled project.Un budget clair = un chantier maîtrisé.

2. Neglecting the actual condition of the house before renovating

Before considering decoration or layout, it is important to know the actual condition of the building.

Points to check without fail:

• Electrical wiring up to standard
• Condition of plumbing
• Insulation and heat loss
• Humidity, ventilation
• Condition of roof and framework

Without this diagnosis, you risk discovering costly problems during construction.

3. Not planning the work step by step

Renovating without a plan means inviting delays and conflicts between tradespeople.

Good planning includes:

• The dates for each tradesperson's work
  
• The lead times for materials
  
• The minimum time between each stage
  
• Coordination between trades (plumber, electrician, tiler, etc.)

A well-planned project progresses twice as fast

4. Choosing your tradespeople at random (or too quickly)

This is one of the most common mistakes... and one of the most dangerous.

The risks:

• Deadlines not met
• Poor workmanship
• Abandoned construction site
• Unforeseen additional costs
  
• No recourse in the event of a problem
  
  

Essential insurance policies:

• Ten-year warranty
• Civil liability
• Professional certifications



With Illico Travaux, you only work with verified, insured and reliable tradespeople. A real guarantee of peace of mind.

5. Comparing quotes without understanding what they contain

A quote that is too vague is often a cause for concern.

A good quote should include :

• Details of services
• Cost of materials
• Labour costs
• Expected completion times
• Guarantees
• Insurance coverage
  
  

Please note:

A very low quote is often a sign of a problem (quality, materials, deadlines, etc.).

6. Forgetting administrative authorisations

Some renovations require prior notification or a building permit.

This is particularly the case for:

• Extensions
• Changes to the façade
• Opening or enlarging windows
• Changes of use
• Work on a listed building

Without approval from the local council, you risk a fine and the obligation to demolish the work.

7. Ignore technical constraints

Some renovations require specific expertise to avoid hazards or unnecessary expenses.

Things to watch out for:

• Load-bearing walls
  
• Floor structure
  
• Ventilation
  
• Electrical standards
  
• Thermal and acoustic insulation

A successful renovation is, above all, a safe renovation.

8. Renovating room by room without an overall vision

Renovations carried out on an ad hoc basis often create inconsistencies and sometimes even additional costs.

For example, renovating a bathroom without reviewing the overall plumbing system can lead to leaks or unnecessary repairs.

Take a holistic view:

• Which rooms should be renovated first?
• Which jobs are interrelated?
• What are the dependencies (water, electricity, structure, etc.)?
  

9. Do not plan for the unexpected

When renovating, surprises are common:

 hidden damp, outdated electrical installations, non-existent insulation, etc.

Allow for a safety margin:

👉 10 to 15% of the total budget

This will help you avoid stress and prevent the project from grinding to a halt due to a lack of funds.

10. Wanting to manage everything on your own

Managing a construction site requires time, experience and effective coordination.

The risks of managing it alone: :

• Poor communication between tradespeople
• Accumulated delays
• Poor technical choices
• Stress and mental overload
• Lack of overall vision
  
  

With IlliCO travaux, you benefit from:

• a single point of contact
• comparative quotes
• carefully selected tradespeople
• site supervision
• a stress-free renovation, from start to finish

Conclusion : a successful renovation begins with thorough preparation.

By avoiding these 10 mistakes, you'll give yourself the best chance of a successful renovation without stress, unpleasant surprises, and within your budget.

Need help with your project?

Contact IlliCO travaux Carpentras, your renovation broker,

for an appointment and a free quote.

We can help you estimate the cost of your project and ensure that every stage of your renovation goes smoothly.