DIYing your next home renovation? Be on lookout for these things that can derail your project
By Kaitlyn Keegan | kakeegan@courant.com | Hartford Courant
PUBLISHED: October 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT
When tackling a home renovation project, there are a number of things that can push you over budget, past schedule and potentially not have the project you first desired.
To minimize the chances of a project getting derailed, issues of communication, people, materials, budgets and timelines have to be addressed up front.
“Constant communication between all the parties involved may prevent things from going awry, best funneled through one person who will make sure everyone is on the same page,” Sharon McCormick, of Sharon McCormick Design, said.
The first step is proper planning.
Proper planning includes thinking through every step that needs to be performed to ensure the project will be built to specifications,” she said. “The design should be thoroughly detailed in order to obtain a complete and thorough estimate from your contractor. A contract that has allowances for products is not advisable, because most homeowners are not able to determine if an allowance is adequate. Costs can get out of control and the homeowner backed into a corner. Planning will head off scope creep and expensive change orders.”
The next step is to ensure your project complies with zoning laws and building codes. Go to your Connecticut town hall and get advice from the zoning department or building inspector. If your project fails inspection, it could mean costly reworks or project pauses.
“Become familiar with your town’s permitting process and typical timeline. Be aware that permits may be delayed due to a backlog or because of missing information. Apply for a permit so the inspector can ensure that the work performed is up to par. Don’t skip this step or you may need to apply for a retroactive permit before selling your house and there’s no guarantee you will be able to receive one,” McCormick said.
After you have decided on the scope of your project, get a few contractor quotes and ask for references.
“Ask about how smoothly the project went, about any delays and why,” she said. “Ask if you can visit a recent job to see if the work is up to your standards. People have different tolerances, so what they think is acceptable may not apply to you. Skill mismatches lead to substandard work and costly corrections. Some contractors get a reputation for being unreliable, failing to show up at the appointed time, moving workers from one job to another leaving your work site unstaffed. Also ask about the availability of their subs, such as electricians and masons as delays can be expensive and stressful.”
As far as sticking to your budget, make sure to pad in a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses. McCormick suggests 10-20%.