10 Renovation Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

I write this article every year, and every year it becomes more daunting to start and successfully complete a kitchen - or even a home - renovation.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to avoid the most egregious mistakes and keep your project on track.

From unreliable, dishonest contractors to cutting-edge products that don’t actually work, you’ll learn how to sidestep them all.

Let’s start with failure.

Mine.

Looking for answers about how not to design your kitchen?

Short on time? Download our free Book of Bad Renovations

Why I Am Uniquely Qualified to Help You

Over the past 10 years, I have been involved in 10 building projects:

The new stores in Framingham, Hanover, and Cape Cod (which just opened last Monday).

The new warehouse and store in Norton, along with the new warehouse and store in Nantucket, opening this April.

Then there was the near roof collapse in Dorchester in 2015, which triggered a $2 million remodel.

At the same time, I remodeled my cherished apartment in 2014 - only to move across the street less than three years later to rehab a burnt-down brownstone.

I wish I could tell you everything went well.

When I followed this methodology, things went smoothly.

When I didn’t, the problems got expensive.

Especially this:

Norton Yale Appliance Warehouse

This warehouse was a disaster - over budget and fraught with problems.

It’s the only time in my 39 years at Yale that I ever levied a 93A lawsuit against anyone.

You’re probably thinking, “It’s a warehouse. It must be huge.”

But a warehouse is just a box to put stuff in. It’s not that nuanced.

Interior of Norton Yale Appliance Warehouse

While I was fighting with the developers, interest rates climbed from 2% to 7%.

You’ll face higher interest rates now too, compared to five years ago.

We’ll talk about how to move decisively yet thoughtfully a bit later.

Lessons Learned Over the Years

2004

Of course, it hasn’t all been bad - especially when I stayed disciplined.

In 2004, I was living in Brookline and decided to move to Boston.

Brookline Apartment

At that time, the Brookline market was pretty hot. I decided to swap out the appliances for Fisher & Paykel.

Fisher & Paykel was unique at the time, and I thought it would help sell the unit - which it did.

So here’s a good question to ask before selling your house:

What really adds value at a minimal cost while maximizing resale potential?

2014

Ten years later, a contractor friend convinced me to remodel my Boston apartment.

Second Kitchen Renovation in 2014

The second kitchen remodel in 2014 included undercounter refrigeration and a professional-grade range.

The results were nice, but I ended up spending a lot of money fixing punch list items to be polite.

We’ll dive deeper into dealing with contractors shortly.

2017

Three years later, I moved again for lifestyle reasons.

2017 Kitchen Renovation

We’ll talk about your lifestyle soon and how to build a kitchen that fits how you actually use it.

Once again, I stayed disciplined and ended up with a great place to live.

You’re probably thinking, “I’ll be more fortunate than you.”

Maybe you will.

But in Boston in 2024, three prominent developers collectively lost $15 million when their trusted general contractor filed for Chapter 11.

It could happen to anyone.

That’s why you need a methodology - one I wish I had stuck to last year.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Hiring the Wrong People
• Not Knowing Your Lifestyle
• Thinking You Have More Time Than You Actually Do
• Misunderstanding Cabinets and Underpaying for a Cabinet Designer
• Placing Your Stove in the Middle of an Island
• Failing to Understand Ventilation
• Oversizing a Vent (Massachusetts Residents Only)
• Stacking Wall Ovens Improperly
• Using a Downdraft for a Professional Range
• Assuming Your Appliances Will Be Repaired

10 Renovation Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Mistake #1: Hiring the Wrong People

When you look at those 10 projects, hear about your friends' experiences, or listen to nightmare renovation stories, one theme consistently stands out:

Good contractors lead to good outcomes.

It’s that simple.

Experienced contractors have been through it all and know how to solve similar problems.

But the only way to find the right contractor is by asking quality questions.

You want to understand their experience, their process, and how they follow through. That’s really it.

However, don’t forget to ask for references - not just from customers but also from subcontractors.

Why Subcontractors?

Because you need to ensure the general contractor (GC) isn’t cutting corners and consistently pays their bills.

A contractor who churns through suppliers or subcontractors is a red flag. A good one keeps things on track and within budget.

Top 20 Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring

Before you hire, ask the right questions. Here are the top 20 to help you make the best choice:

• Can you provide references and examples of similar projects you’ve completed?
  • Past clients and portfolios give insight into their work quality and reliability.
• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
  • Confirm their credentials and coverage for liability and worker injuries.
• What’s included in your quote?
  • Ask for a detailed breakdown of materials, labor, permits, and additional costs.
• What’s your timeline for the project?
  • Get clarity on the start date, completion date, and milestones.
• What happens if the timeline isn’t met?
  • Discuss penalties, delays, and how they’ll handle unforeseen issues.
• How do you handle unexpected costs or changes to the project?
  • Changes happen—know how they’ll communicate and price them.
• Who will be working on my project?
  • Ask if they use subcontractors and confirm the qualifications of everyone involved.
• How often will we communicate during the project?
  • Establish a communication plan, including updates and progress meetings.
• What permits are required, and who handles them?
  • Ensure they manage permits and inspections to avoid legal issues.
• How do you handle site safety and cleanliness?
  • Ask about daily cleanup, debris removal, and protecting your property.
• Will you provide a detailed written contract?
  • Everything—scope of work, materials, timeline, costs—should be in writing.
• Do you offer a warranty for your work?
  • Find out what’s covered, for how long, and the process for addressing warranty issues.
• What materials do you recommend, and why?
  • Get their professional opinion on materials, but ensure it aligns with your budget and vision.
• How do you ensure the project stays on budget?
  • Ask how they track expenses and manage unforeseen costs.
• What payment schedule do you require?
  • Avoid paying large amounts upfront—agree on a phased schedule tied to milestones.
• How do you manage subcontractors?
  • Understand their vetting process and how they oversee subcontractor work.
• What happens if there’s a disagreement?
  • Discuss dispute resolution methods, like mediation or arbitration, to avoid legal battles.
• Are there any potential issues or risks you foresee with this project?
  • A seasoned contractor should be upfront about challenges with your property or plans.
• Can you provide a written project timeline with key milestones?
  • This helps track progress and hold them accountable.
• How do you handle final inspections and the punch list?
  • Confirm they’ll walk through the finished project with you and address any remaining issues.

Who Is Managing Your Renovation?

You’ve picked your general contractor. Fantastic.

However, that's just one piece of the puzzle. A successful renovation isn’t just about who’s in charge. It’s about how the project is managed.

Who will be your Project Manager on your kitchen or home renovation?

This is a critical follow-up. You want someone experienced in handling trades. You do not want someone new or unproven.

Mistake #2. Not Knowing Your Lifestyle

Even the best contractor in the world can’t help you if you can’t make decisions.

Take the photo above. Are we going for a classic look or a beach house vibe?

I think back to my own journey- from renovating my penthouse apartment to moving across the street into a garden-level apartment.

From Penthouse to Basement

In my previous place, my kitchen was on the top floor. When I moved into my house, I deliberately placed the kitchen in the basement.

It was a radical change in lifestyle.

Then my daughter was born in 2016. Suddenly, carrying her up to the fifth floor, unloading groceries, and fighting for a parking spot became exhausting.

It was much easier having the kitchen on the first floor.

I could park her on the couch and move the bundles in from there - no more struggling with stairs and logistics.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renovating Your Kitchen

Not sure about your own lifestyle needs? Ask yourself these key questions:

• How do I use my kitchen now?
  • Do I cook elaborate meals, or mostly heat up leftovers?
  • Is my kitchen a social hub or a private workspace?
• What frustrates me about my current kitchen?
  • Is it the cramped prep space, inconvenient fridge location, or lack of outlets?
• How many people use the kitchen—and how?
  • Do multiple people cook at the same time?
  • Do I have kids, pets, or entertain frequently?
  • Will an island help or create traffic jams?
• What’s my kitchen’s relationship to the rest of the house?
  • How does its location impact flow and function?
• What’s my personal style, and will I still love it in 10 years?
  • Am I drawn to modern, traditional, or rustic aesthetics?
  • Should I prioritize timeless over trendy?
• What’s my storage personality?
  • Am I a minimalist (open shelving) or a collector (serious storage needed)?
  • Do I need space for appliances, cookware, or pantry items?
• Do I have any special accessibility needs?
  • Would lower countertops, easy-to-reach shelves, or wider walkways improve function?
• What’s my real budget?
  • Have I accounted for unexpected costs?
• How long do I plan to stay in this house?
  • If long-term, should I invest in quality and customization?
  • If short-term, should I prioritize resale value?
• Do I care about sustainability?
  • Should I invest in energy-efficient appliances or eco-friendly materials?
• What vibe do I want my kitchen to have?
  • Cozy and warm, sleek and modern, or something else?
  • Are there objects or features I want to highlight?
• Do I renovate the kitchen first—or should I prioritize other spaces?
  • Would tackling bathrooms first make more sense for my lifestyle and home value?

Mistake #3: Thinking You Have Time—You Don't

Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Display at Yale Appliance Norton Showroom

Unlike in years past, you’re now dealing with higher mortgage rates (trust me, I know this all too well).

Every delay will cost you real money - month after month.

And with potential tariffs on the horizon, supply chain issues could become a serious problem.

If 2020–2022 taught us anything, it’s that supply chain disruptions can halt construction for months.

So let me give you some perspective. In 2018, I renovated my bathroom:

I spent way too much time stressing over tile choices and whether the bathtub matched the sinks.

Seven years later? I don’t even remember why I was so worried.

Finished Bathroom Remodel

In fact, I never even used the rainfall showerhead I thought I absolutely needed.

So if supply chain issues arise, be flexible. Find alternative choices you can live with, and you’ll be just fine.

Trust me - you won’t be losing sleep over your second-choice tile a month after moving in.

Oh, and one more thing...

Be wary of the newest, latest, and greatest of anything.

Those mini LED lights I installed next to the showerhead? Revolutionary at the time.

They never worked and had to be replaced.

And back in the 1980s, a new coating was introduced to repel water.

Instead, it absorbed water and caused a whole mess of issues.

4. Overpaying for Cabinets and Underpaying Cabinet Designers

Look at this kitchen. It’s custom and expensive:

High-End Kitchen with Tailored Cabinetry

Custom cabinets are made-to-order, built in different sizes, finishes, and configurations.

But do you really need to spend $100,000+ on cabinets?

Probably not.

Levels of Cabinets

The truth is, most appliances fit standard cabinets - so going fully custom isn’t always necessary.

However, a good designer can customize your space based on how you actually use it, without the premium price tag of full custom cabinetry.

Here are the four levels of cabinets to consider:

1. RTA or Ready to Assemble: You assemble RTA cabinets yourself. Durability is a long-term issue with RTA. That said, some European cabinets are RTA.
2. Stock: Stock doesn't allow any customization. However, that doesn't mean you should not consider a stock cabinet. You are buying the wood and finish as much as the dimensions. Good materials are available in a stocked cabinet
3. Semi-Custom: This allows some customization of materials, sizes like depth, and finishes.
4. Custom: Custom is built to order and is the most expensive. Materials really could be almost anything from plywood to wood. What you want is decent material with a good finish.

Mistake #5: Putting Your Stove in the Middle of the Island

Look at this picture. It's a beautiful kitchen...without ventilation.

When you cook on a gas cooktop, it releases toxic gases like nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.

Without proper ventilation, those pollutants don’t just stay in your kitchen - they linger throughout your home.

I get it - you want to entertain your guests.

But you still need a range hood over your stovetop.

Cooktop integrated into a kitchen island with an overhead vent

Except, you don’t need a downdraft hood:

They’re weak, inefficient, and won’t actually remove the pollutants from your space (more about downdrafts later). Go for something that actually works.

Instead of placing your stovetop on a kitchen island, consider a sink.

You can install a Galley workstation, for example. It's designed as an entertainment hub to keep your island functional without blocking airflow or ventilation.

Kitchen Island with Integrated Galley Workstation

We recently did a video with Mark Tobin of Mark Tobin Kitchen Design, where we discussed these layout ideas.

Now, who are you going to believe?

The guy in the suit coat or the much cooler-looking guy on the right?

Choosing the Right Kitchen Layout

There are two main approaches to kitchen layout:

• Kitchen Triangle (my preference): The sink and dishwasher are centered, with the cooktop directly opposite, so you only need to take a step or two while cooking.
• Zones of Usage: The sink is the focal point, with everything you use most often placed closest to the center for efficiency.

Which one works for you? That depends on how you use your kitchen.

Mistake #6: Not Understanding Ventilation

Professional Range Hood with 48-Inch Professional Range

Ventilation has never been more important.

Today’s stoves produce 2.5 times more output than when I started at Yale, yet homes are now more energy-efficient, meaning emissions stay trapped inside longer.

And here’s the problem - many common vents, like over-the-range microwaves and ceiling blowers, simply can’t handle modern high-output ranges.

When you cook, you likely use the front burners, which sit 22-23 inches from the wall.

But most over-the-range microwaves are just 16 inches deep, meaning they don’t effectively capture smoke, grease, or harmful gases.

Downdrafts are even worse.

They have just a two-inch slot for a capture area, which isn’t nearly enough for a 60,000-150,000 BTU range.

They force smoke to be pulled downward, working against natural airflow.

No capture, no channel, no exhaust - just lingering pollutants in your home.

Why This Matters

Poor ventilation isn’t just about lingering cooking smells. It can prevent you from passing inspection due to inadequate fresh air intake or make-up air.

According to Broan, a leading hood manufacturer, indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air.

Cooking releases harmful pollutants like methane, nitrogen oxide, and PM2.5, which accumulate in a poorly ventilated kitchen - especially with high-output burners.

The Four Key Elements of Proper Ventilation

To ventilate effectively, focus on these four key factors:

• CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute): A 600 CFM exhaust removes 600 cubic feet of air per minute. Match your ventilation power to your cooking habits.
• Capture Area: The hood's depth matters. A powerful but shallow hood won’t work if smoke billows past it. Plan for at least 24 inches in depth.
• Duct Size: Follow minimum ducting specs. If you stir-fry or wok cook, consider oversizing for better airflow.
• Duct Run: Keep it short and direct. Ideally, vent straight up or straight back with no more than one elbow, as extra bends kill airflow.

Mistake #7: Oversizing a Vent and Not Understanding Make-Up Air

You have a Wolf range in your brand-new kitchen - now is not the time to learn about the 2007 Massachusetts Make-Up Air Regulations.

Any vent over 400 CFM needs fresh air return.

Here’s why: You fire up that pro range and turn on your 1100 CFM hood. That’s 1,100 cubic feet of air exiting an airtight home - the equivalent of removing the air from a small room.

Diagram of  Make-Up Air

And if you don’t replace that air?

Your home will “make up” the missing air from your furnace, attic, cellar, or garage—creating an incredibly unhealthy environment.

It’s easy to solve during the planning stage by integrating fresh air return into your HVAC system.

It’s not easy once your kitchen is already finished. At that point, you’ll need to cut an equivalent return vent somewhere in your kitchen - at least 10 feet away and on the other side.

Even if your local regulations don’t require it, plan for Make-Up Air anyway—so you’re breathing cleaner air.

Broan offers a $100 aftermarket smart damper kit and exit cap kit, but you’ll still need to cut a hole and wire the damper so it opens when your hood is on.

Mistake #8: Stacking Wall Ovens

Stacked wall ovens with a microwave and dual wall ovens

I look at this picture and cringe. They’re installed at 84 inches - over 7 feet high.

You’ll be pulling a burning hot pan from over your head. Not smart.

This is a recent trend, but it comes with serious hazards. Stacking wall ovens is dangerous.

I think of my daughter tugging at me while I try to take hot food from above my head.

The most you should stack is a single wall oven, microwave, and warming drawer.

You want to save space, but not at the expense of safety.

Luckily, you have options.

• Microwaves can go under the counter, inside a cabinet, hung from a cabinet, or tucked into an appliance garage.
• Double-wall ovens with a properly mounted warming drawer are as high as you should go.

You can make smart use of space - without creating a safety hazard.

Mistake #9: Not Lighting Your Kitchen and Bathroom

Better lighting makes all the difference. Here’s what you need:

• Task Lighting: Recessed or track lighting provides most of the usable light for cooking, prepping, or grooming.
• Accent Lighting: Highlights objects and architectural details.
• Ambient Lighting: Creates a warm glow with pendants, uplighting, or under-cabinet lighting.
• Decorative Lighting: Chandeliers or statement pendants add depth, personality, and style to the room.

Good lighting does more than brighten a room. It adds style and character to your kitchen and bathroom.

Mistake #10: Thinking Your Appliances Will Be Repaired

Yale Appliance Service Team

Knowing who will repair your appliances should be part of your kitchen renovation plan.

Here is the sad reality: Most of our business is now repair and maintenance. As appliances become "smarter" and more complicated, appliance repair will become more of an issue.

Many manufacturers offer limited repair services, while others provide no repair options at all. The same goes for retailers.

Ninety-five percent of retailers don't employ a single technician.

Investigating who will fix that new steam oven, stove, or coffee maker should be part of your research.

Read reviews of all perspective retailers before you buy from them.

I could say the same about installation and especially delivery.

Service is only marginally worse.

Read More: Why Your New Appliance Will Not Be Repaired

10 Renovation Mistakes to Avoid: Key Takeaways

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax."

Sage advice.

Planning solves all these problems.

Remember, construction should be broken down into four equal parts: design, scheduling, construction, and closeout.

Finding good people at every level and truly taking time to understand your lifestyle will mitigate most of these issues.

Think a bit about how you cook and how you will use the space.

You can plan, but once you start, move decisively.

You can do this, and it can be fun and rewarding as you beam at your new kitchen.

Additional Resources

Feeling overwhelmed by appliance choices? Simplify your decision with our free Appliance Buying Guide. Download now and find the perfect appliance stress-free! 🌟

• In-Depth Reliability Reviews: Gain exclusive insights from over 33,000 service calls completed last year by our expert team. 📊
• Detailed Brand Analysis: Get comprehensive reviews of popular brands including SubZero, Wolf, La Cornue, Bosch, Thermador, and BlueStar. 🔍
• Answers to Your Top Questions: Equip yourself with the knowledge to tackle the 10 most asked appliance questions by homeowners today. 💡

Download your free guide now!

Related Articles:

• How to Design Your Dream Kitchen With Luxury Appliances
• 6 Timeless Kitchen Design Tips
• Outdated Kitchen Design Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
• Kitchen Appliance Design Mistakes and Best Practices
• How to Plan Your Kitchen Appliance Project
• Finding the Best Appliance Dealers Near You: A Comprehensive Guide
• The Most Important Appliance Delivery Checklist