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April
5
5
Behind the Scenes: 5 Things Home Improvement Shows Don't Tell You
If you're thinking about selling your home, you might be considering some renovations to help you get the highest price possible. Some of the most popular DIY shows may have convinced you that in a matter of days and on a shoestring budget, you can transform your house and have it stand out among other Round Rock homes for sale. Before you jump into any home improvement project, our real estate agents want to make sure you have all the facts and know what home improvement shows don't tell you.
- Renovation timelines
Television may create the illusion that major renovations can be completed in a day or two, but the truth is that most projects take time and leave you without the use of that space for the duration. New kitchen cabinets, for example, will probably take two or three days, but countertops will likely take at least two weeks. A full kitchen remodel will typically mean six to eight weeks with the kitchen out of commission. That also means workers in and out of your home for at least eight hours every day until the work is done.
- Realistic budgets
Home improvement shows have sponsors that not only advertise but they also supply materials. Without their contributions, the upgrades featured would be much more expensive. Before embarking on any project, no matter how large or small, create a budget that includes every single item. Even protective materials such as plastic drop cloths should be included. Otherwise, your total cost will be grossly inaccurate. By the way, do you own all the necessary tools? You may be able to save money by renting them, but they are still not completely free. Cheap materials look just as bad as shoddy workmanship, so be careful you are actually adding value to the home. - Skill sets required
It may look easy on a screen, but if it was, everyone would do their own remodeling, and contractors would be out of business. Even the smallest jobs often require multiple skills. Going back to the kitchen, you may be looking at cabinet makers, tile setters, electricians, plumbers, and painters. Even a licensed contractor will likely subcontract some specialized labor. Don't forget that many home improvements require permits as well as inspections. - Availability of materials
If you think you can walk into any big box store and buy all of the materials you need, you're in for a surprise. You may need to wait for weeks for special orders to arrive. You may also have to go to multiple merchants to find everything you need. Before you begin, you should gather everything you're going to need from beginning to end of the project. - Detailed plans
It would be impossible to address the issues already described without a detailed plan. Without a clear path, you can easily find yourself in over your head. If you have to hire a contractor to undo mistakes you've made before they start the rest of the work, your costs are going to skyrocket. When you hire an expert, you'll spend a lot of time going over the details of your vision and discussing at length the actual costs as well as your options.
Whether you are getting ready to buy or sell, our team is here to help you accomplish your real estate goals. Contact us today.
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Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 03/20/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 03/20/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Fri 03/20/2026 12:59:39 PM EST) or Austin MLS (last updated Fri 03/20/2026 12:52:42 PM EST) or CTXMLS (last updated Fri 03/20/2026 12:58:30 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Realty Capital City may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
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Each office independently owned and operated.
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 03/20/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 03/20/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Fri 03/20/2026 12:59:39 PM EST) or Austin MLS (last updated Fri 03/20/2026 12:52:42 PM EST) or CTXMLS (last updated Fri 03/20/2026 12:58:30 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Realty Capital City may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
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