Renovation Regret: What Homeowners Wish They Knew Before Remodeling
Survey reveals common regrets, budget missteps, and emotional stress behind America’s recent remodeling boom
Who among us hasn’t watched a home remodeling show and decided our own house needed an overhaul? While those shows make renovation look easy, real homeowners know the process is anything but. As the price of materials continues to climb and skilled laborers become fewer and farther between, home renovations are getting more difficult and more expensive. While DIY-ing your renovations used to be a viable way to save money, our data shows that you may regret not hiring a pro.
To learn what American homeowners really think of their renovations, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. homeowners who had renovated their homes in the past three years. The data was consistent: even when homeowners planned carefully, they faced unexpected costs, stress, and sometimes even regret. Let’s find out why modern renovations are falling short of American expectations.
Key Takeaways
- 47% of homeowners went over budget on their renovations, while only 5% came in under.
- Materials and finishes were the biggest budget shock, with 43% saying they cost more than expected.
- 41% of DIYers wished they had hired a pro — and 1 in 5 had to pay someone to fix their mistakes.
- Nearly 1 in 4 wouldn’t rehire their contractor, citing delays, cost disputes, or poor communication.
- Cost overruns were the top renovation stressor (36%), followed by delays (30%), construction mess (29%), living without a kitchen/bath access (26%), and decision fatigue (25%).
- More than 1 in 10 canceled or delayed a renovation due to emotional stress, and 1 in 8 had conflicts with neighbors or their HOA.
Renovation Budgets Often Miss the Mark
Despite best intentions and well-designed budget spreadsheets, many homeowners go over budget when renovating. Even though one-third of respondents managed to stay within their budget, more of them went over–some by multiple thousands of dollars.
In total, nearly half (47%) of respondents exceeded their budget, and one in five by over $5,000. Meanwhile, only 5% came in under their budgets, proving that tight financial control is possible–but rare. Even seasoned homeowners can struggle to keep a project under budget.
Here’s what’s driving up renovation costs:
The most common culprit? Materials and finishes. More than 2 in 5 homeowners (43%) were blindsided by the price of tile, countertops, cabinetry, and more—upgrades that are typically selected mid-project. Even if a project is under budget up to that point, marble countertops or glass shower tiles may push the total higher than anticipated. Over one-third (36%) of homeowners said that labor costs went over budget, highlighting a possible discrepancy between initial quotes and the true cost of work.
How People Pay For Their Renovations
So, how are people affording these oft-over-budget renovations? Many homeowners could pay outright–but others turned to financing options.
While two-thirds of homeowners used cash or savings, a significant share took on debt to afford their renovations. Over 30% leaned heavily on credit cards—a risky strategy in an unstable job market. Others utilized personal loans, HELOCs, or even retirement funds, especially among higher-income households. Homeowners were most likely to tap into these options if they were tackling large-scale or luxury renovations.
Rooms and Design Choices Homeowners Regret Most
Even high price tags and beautiful materials can’t prevent buyer’s remorse. We asked homeowners which rooms they regretted updating the most, and while some respondents were satisfied with their renovations, many more had regrets.
Over a third (34%) of homeowners had no regrets about their renovations. But many homeowners regretted renovating their bathrooms and kitchens–coincidentally, two of the most expensive rooms to renovate. Hidden plumbing issues or unforeseen layout changes likely contribute to this, making bathroom and kitchen renovations some of the most stressful. Outdoor areas, basements, and smart tech upgrades also showed up in the regret column, though less frequently.
Beyond room-specific regrets, many homeowners had second thoughts about their design decisions. High-maintenance materials led the pack, followed closely by trendy paint colors. This suggests that homeowners quickly grow tired of resealing marble countertops or polishing wooden cabinets, and that fashion-forward colors don’t always feel homey. Even outside of color choices, social media-inspired designs inspired significant regret. Home design preferences evolve over time, and renovating a house based on what’s trending on the For You page can lead to regret.
A functional, timeless home should be the goal of any renovation. When you know you may end up thousands of dollars over budget, prevent yourself from paying any more to reverse your reno.
The Most Stressful Parts of Renovating
We asked homeowners what caused the most stress during the renovation process — and it wasn’t just about money. Cost increases topped the list, but delays, dust, and the chaos of daily disruption were close behind.
The biggest burden? Budget blowouts. More than a third surveyed said rising costs took the biggest emotional toll. But construction delays, dust, and living without a working kitchen or bathroom also increased stress levels. Even relationships become a source of stress during renovations, with many homeowners citing tension between partners, neighbors, and HOAs alongside material woes.
Still, for many, the payoff was worth it. Despite the headaches, most homeowners said the outcome made the process feel worthwhile, even if they wouldn’t rush to do it again.
Lessons Homeowners Wish They Knew Sooner
If hindsight is 20/20, renovation veterans are lending you their glasses. Meaning: we asked what they’d tell a close friend preparing for a remodel. Their top recommendation? It’s tougher than it looks.
Many urged doubling both the budget and the timeline upfront, while others stressed the importance of getting every detail in writing. Hiring professionals instead of attempting to DIY was another common refrain. And for those tempted by TikTok and Instagram, several cautioned against following flash-in-the-pan trends. Instead, go for something more classic that boosts the after renovation value (ARV).
When the Dream Becomes a Detour
No one goes into a renovation dreaming of extended timelines or unreliable contractors. All we want is a sparkling new kitchen or retiled bathroom! But when homeowners know the risks of starting a new renovation ahead of time, they can plan accordingly–whether it’s by changing design choices or vetting vendors more thoroughly.
Prevent stress and emotional strain when renovating your home by taking the advice from our homeowners–expect the unexpected.
Methodology
This study was based on a national survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners who completed a home renovation within the past three years. The sample was balanced across age, gender, income, and geographic region. All findings are based solely on survey responses.
About Platinum Home Builders & Design, Inc.
Platinum Home Builders & Design, Inc. is a trusted leader in residential renovation, guiding homeowners through every stage of the remodeling journey—from planning to execution. With a focus on quality, transparency, and reliability, we help clients avoid common pitfalls and create spaces they’ll love for years to come.
Fair Use Statement
This article is based on proprietary research conducted by Platinum Home Builders & Design, Inc. You may reuse this content for noncommercial purposes with proper attribution and a link back to our original article.
