“I’ll know it when I see it” can be a very costly design mistake
Starting a home renovation can feel exhilarating. You are filled with ideas and the possibilities are endless. Maybe you are tempted to keep things flexible, thinking you can figure it out as you go. While this approach seems like the low pressure route, where you don’t have to make all the decisions upfront, it can lead to costly missteps that could make your dream renovation feel like a financial nightmare. Here’s why “I’ll know it when I see it” could be the most expensive mindset in your renovation journey.
Design drift = Cost overrun
Without a clear design vision, projects can spiral out of control very quickly. When you are browsing options for tiles, paint colors, or fixtures without a definitive plan, you will likely encounter various items that catch your eye and prompt second-guessing. Each change can mean more labour, materials, and delays that add up fast. Design drift not only stretches the timeline but also drives up costs because instead of staying on course, you may find yourself chasing new ideas and getting ahead of your budget unwittingly.
Paralysis by analysis
The allure of finding the perfect option can quickly lead you down a rabbit hole. With so many choices—like the dozens of whites for paint or endless tile options—it is easy to get overwhelmed. The result? You get to a point of decision paralysis. Delayed decisions means slower progress, contractors waiting for answers, and escalating costs. In a renovation, where every delay impacts the bottom line, indecision can become one of the most expensive items in the project.
The “perfect” vision doesn’t always exist
The idea of stumbling upon the perfect design element sounds wonderful, but it rarely plays out that way. Waiting for just the right thing is a gamble that often does not pay off, as you may never find exactly what you had in mind. Meanwhile, your project may be getting delayed because decisions have not been made. Searching for a vague ideal might push you into settling for something that falls short on functionality or makes you compromise on quality to meet a deadline.
Disconnect between client and contractor
A solid design vision acts as a clear map for you and your contractor. Without a design plan, your contractor is left guessing about your preferences and expectations and this lack of clarity leads to miscommunications, expensive revisions, and ultimately, disappointment with the final result. Relying on “I’ll know it when I see it” leaves too much up to interpretation, meaning your project budget is likely to inflate as your contractor attempts to guess at what you want.
Avoiding the guesswork
A good renovation project begins with a well-thought-out plan. Before diving into demolition or ordering materials, take time to sit down with a designer to define your vision and get specific about what look you love, what functionality your space needs, and what your budget is. Working with a designer also gives you access to expertise that turns abstract ideas into cohesive designs. They can streamline your options, provide guidance on what materials will work best, and help create a realistic roadmap for your project.
While flexibility during the execution phase allows you to continue to bring your design to life, leaving key decisions to chance, believing it to be flexibility, is often a recipe for budget overruns, delays, and frustration.