#1 A Driveway Crew Was Pouring Concrete At A New House Next To A Duck Pond. They Went To Lunch And Came Back To This
#2 Concrete Overflowed Out Of The Toilet
As a homeowner, you likely have a vision of how you want your home to look after the remodeling. But of course, you may encounter some “surprises” that are like a curveball coming out of nowhere.
According to the Good Housekeeping Institute’s home improvement and outdoor director, Dan DiClerico, one of them is the cost and time frame that fall outside your expectations.
#4 This Is Not What We Wanted To Find While Opening Up The Walls During A Remodel
"Your contractor might truly believe they can finish the job in three months or six months. But then they’ll run into hidden surprises, like structural damage behind walls or outdated electricals," DiClerico told Good Housekeeping in a late 2025 interview.
DiClerico adds that fixing such issues takes time and money and advises adding “at least a 20% cushion” into your budget and timeframe.
#9 Too Broke And Lazy To Buy Shower Curtain Rings When I Moved Into My Apartment, So I Present To You My Solution. Zip Ties
Home renovation costs money, but the avoidable mistakes tend to be more expensive. Underestimating the project scope and cost is one of the most common ones, according to Hippo’s home insights expert Courtney Klosterman.
"A realistic understanding of the project's complexity helps you avoid running out of resources or hitting other roadblocks in the middle of a project,” she told Real Simple.
#11 Apparently They Called It A Day And Officially Finished My Renovation Today
Many people who aren’t adept at DIY home improvement would rather shoulder the cost of hiring a professional. But as Klosterman says, there’s a chance you may be underestimating how much of the renovation you can do on your own.
"Break down the project into smaller tasks. Identify which tasks you can confidently handle and which require specialized skills," she advises.
#13 We'll Use Liquid Nails To Put This Mantle On The Wall For Our TV, And It Should Be Perfect
#14 This Remodeled Bathroom With A Carpeted Step Blocking A Vanity Drawer
#15 Partener Tried To Dye Our White Couch Because It Had Some Stains. I Said We Shouldve Got Couch Covers But No
Home improvement jobs are messy, depending on the scope of work. If you’re planning a full-scale remodel, you can expect mounds of dust to be present, along with possible contaminants. This is why DiClerico advises communicating with the contractor about how to contain the dirt and grime.
“Be sure to ask the contractor how they plan to contain dust and other airborne contaminants. Plastic sheeting should be part of the strategy,” he said.
#16 1100 Dollars To Replace A Door That Wouldn’t Close All The Way… For A Nice Door That Doesn’t Close All The Way
