The Most Expensive Mistakes To Avoid When Remodeling Your Des Moines Area Home

Renovating your home should be exciting, not stressful! Knowing what pitfalls to avoid makes the remodeling process in the Des Moines area smoother and more enjoyable from start to finish.

This guide contains everything you should know about proper contractor selection and planning for a peaceful project. Let’s dive into the top home renovation mistakes to avoid so you can confidently bring your dream home to life!

Five Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Let's dive in!

1. Not Having a Design that Correlates to a Price

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make during a remodel is starting without a clear connection between design and budget. This can lead to overdesigning, wasted time, and unnecessary expenses when plans need to be reworked to fit financial constraints. At Zenith Design + Build, we eliminate this stress by pairing every design with a solid investment range. Throughout the design process, we review and refine these ranges to ensure your project stays aligned with your goals and budget, preventing surprises and giving you confidence every step of the way.

To further enhance your peace of mind, we benchmark our pricing against the annual Cost vs. Value Report published by Remodeling Magazine. This trusted resource provides detailed economic insights into remodeling costs for homeowners and industry professionals. Using baseline data from Xactimate, a leading national estimating software, the report analyzes 23 specific project types tailored to regions across the U.S., including Des Moines.

At Zenith, we specialize in 11 of these projects and compare our pricing directly with the market averages, ensuring you get an apples-to-apples comparison. Our analysis shows that our pricing is, on average, 15.5% less than the local market, and for kitchen remodels, we deliver a remarkable 40% savings compared to the market average. By pairing design with transparent pricing and leveraging trusted industry benchmarks, we provide the clarity and value you deserve throughout your remodeling journey.

Take a look at our cost guide for more insights into our pricing and what to budget for your project.

2. Rushing the Design Phase

Excitement can sometimes lead to rushing through the design process, but that’s where things can get costly. Changing plans mid-project causes delays and adds to your overall spending.

At Zenith Design Build, we take the time to provide you with two design options, allowing you to fully explore what works best for you before we get to work. 

3. Ignoring Hidden Structural Issues

You’ve picked out your dream materials, and everything seems to be on track—until a hidden structural issue surfaces. Foundational cracks, aging plumbing, or outdated electrical systems can quickly derail a project if ignored. Overlooking these problems is one of the costliest mistakes homeowners make, as they can lead to more extensive and expensive repairs down the line.

At Zenith Design + Build, we take proactive steps to minimize surprises. Our team uses advanced tools and techniques to uncover potential hidden issues before construction begins. From thermal imaging to identify insulation gaps or moisture problems, to magnets and inspection cameras for exploring behind walls, we go beyond the surface to understand your home’s structure and systems. By scanning and analyzing mechanical, plumbing, and foundational elements early on, we’re able to address concerns upfront, helping you avoid delays and unexpected costs. This thorough approach ensures that your remodel isn’t just beautiful—it’s built to last.

4. Overlooking Energy Efficiency

Prioritizing energy efficiency in your remodel can bring immediate savings and long-term value. These upgrades also increase your home’s value and benefit the environment. Some of the best options include:

• High-Efficiency Appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers can cut energy use by up to 30% without sacrificing performance. These advanced appliances do more with less, helping you save on utility bills while keeping your home running smoothly.
  
  
• Smart Lighting: Swapping traditional lighting for smart LED bulbs can lower electricity costs while giving you greater control over your home’s ambiance. With programmable settings and automation, you can customize lighting schedules to optimize energy use and enhance convenience.
  
  
• Energy-Efficient Windows: Installing energy-efficient windows makes a noticeable difference year-round—keeping the heat in during winter and the cool air locked in during summer. Better insulation means fewer drafts, greater comfort, and lower heating and cooling bills.
  
  
• Solar Panels: For homeowners looking to take it a step further, installing solar panels is a long-term investment that can drastically reduce energy costs. While the upfront expense may be higher, solar energy systems can generate significant savings over time—often paying for themselves within 10-15 years.

5. Choosing the Wrong Contractor

Choosing the right contractor is one of the most important steps in any renovation. Proper vetting can help you avoid permits, timelines, and quality issues.

As an Inc. 5000 company with an integrated design + build process, you get peace of mind knowing that experts are taking care of every detail.

Here's a look at our team's core values and the reasons why we're the right remodeling business for you:

• Customer Focused: We put our customers first, ensuring every project ends with "raving fans."
  
  
• Continuous Improvement: We learn and grow through books, podcasts, and videos.
  
  
• Radical Transparency: We keep everything crystal clear—from our process to our pricing.
  
  
• Empathy: We understand remodeling can be an intense process, and we're here to support our customers every step of the way.
  
  
• Extreme Ownership: We take full responsibility for our roles and the success of every project.
  
  
• Positive Mindset: We keep things light, fun, and optimistic no matter what comes our way.
  
  

Ready to Remodel Your Home in Des Moines?

Working with the right team makes avoiding these common home renovation mistakes easy, and that right team is us. Our expert guidance and dedication to service ensure your home renovation looks amazing and adds value. 

Ready to start the process? Contact us today to talk about your dream remodel in the Des Moines area!