Even the best-laid plans can hit roadblocks if you’re not careful. You might be upgrading a single space or reworking the whole house. No matter how small or large your project is, avoiding these common missteps can make your remodel feel far more rewarding (and a lot less stressful).
In this blog, we outline the most common remodeling mistakes Salt Lake City homeowners make, from rushing design planning to underestimating permits and budgeting. Learn how to avoid setbacks by choosing the right contractor and planning your remodel with local insight and strategy.
Avoid these mistakes for a smooth remodel:
1. Rushing Through the Design Phase
2. Underestimating Salt Lake City’s Permitting and Inspection Timelines
3. Not Setting a Realistic Budget for Local Remodeling Costs
4. Hiring the Wrong Contractor
5. Ignoring Utah’s Climate and Landscape
6. DIYing Parts of Your Remodel
7. Overlooking Neighborhood and Zoning Considerations
8. Not Planning for Temporary Living Arrangements
It’s easy to feel like you’re losing time during the early planning stages, but that time is working for you. Pushing through layouts, selections, and drawings just to “get started” often feels efficient, but it usually causes more problems than it solves.
When design is rushed, decisions get made reactively during construction, where changes are more expensive and disruptive. Last-minute selections, unclear details, or overlooked options can lead to change orders, blown budgets, and timeline delays. It’s not uncommon for a rushed decision to snowball into weeks of rework.
Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. A thoughtful design phase ensures that layouts, finishes, and budgets are fully aligned. With a clear plan and early coordination, the construction phase becomes more efficient.
Assuming permits are quick or optional.
Permitting timelines vary widely across Salt Lake County, and skipping or delaying this step can halt progress. Cities like Salt Lake City, Sandy, and Draper each have unique requirements, review processes, and inspection schedules. Without proper planning, your project could hit avoidable roadblocks.
Partner with a remodeler who knows the local landscape and has experience navigating Utah’s permitting process. At Marshall Homes, we anticipate submission windows, manage documentation, and maintain relationships with city departments to keep your remodel moving. Our proactive approach helps minimize delays so you’re not stuck waiting when you could be building.
Using outdated national averages or lowball estimates. This often leads to sticker shock once you receive your proposal or materials are selected.
Remodeling costs in Utah, especially in areas like Draper, Sandy, and Cottonwood Heights, can vary based on demand, labor availability, and market pricing for materials. With ongoing growth along the Wasatch Front, relying on generic cost estimates can leave you unprepared for real pricing, potential delays, or scope reductions.
Work with a trusted Salt Lake City remodeler who can walk you through current, localized pricing and help you set a comprehensive budget. At Marshall Homes, our estimates are detailed, transparent, and based on real conditions, not guesswork. We also recommend setting aside a 5–10% contingency, so you’re ready for any surprises along the way without derailing your goals.
Choosing the lowest bidder or someone without a proven local experience. It might seem like a good way to save money upfront, but it often leads to major headaches later.
Without experience in Salt Lake City’s unique architecture and permitting nuances, the wrong contractor can make design missteps, miss deadlines, or cut corners. This is especially risky in neighborhoods with mid-century homes or mountain modern styles, where attention to detail and contextual design matters.
Work with a licensed and insured contractor who has completed remodels in your area. Look for a team with strong client reviews, clear communication, design-first expertise, and experience with projects like yours. Local knowledge makes all the difference when remodeling in Salt Lake County.
Choosing materials or layouts that don’t account for Utah’s distinct environment. Homeowners often overlook factors like heavy snow in winter, intense summer sun, and sloped or rocky terrain.
Utah’s high elevation, strong sun exposure, and ever-changing weather demand more from your home than you might expect. Snow loads, intense UV rays, and sloped or rocky terrain can all impact how materials perform and how your remodel holds up over time. If those factors aren’t accounted for early in the planning phase, you could end up with drainage issues, early wear on exterior finishes, or structures that don’t age as well as they should in our environment.
Work with a remodeling team that understands the Wasatch Front’s climate patterns and elevation. Use durable, climate-smart materials, and prioritize proper insulation, window orientation, and grading plans that manage water runoff. Thoughtful design choices now can help your remodel last longer and perform better year-round.
Taking on your own remodel to save money or speed things up. Many homeowners try to manage projects themselves or tackle portions of the work without fully understanding the risks.
DIY remodeling in Salt Lake City can lead to permit violations, failed inspections, and major quality issues. Without expert coordination, even small mistakes can snowball into costly rework or delays that impact every trade down the line.
Skip the DIY route and bring in a professional remodeling team from the start. An experienced contractor understands local building codes, schedules trades in the right sequence, and ensures your remodel meets the high standards Salt Lake County inspectors (and your future self) will expect. Your home deserves finish-level quality, not trial-and-error repairs.
Starting your remodel without understanding what your neighborhood or local zoning actually allows. Homeowners often assume if it fits on the lot, it’s fair game but HOAs and city ordinances may disagree.
Salt Lake City neighborhoods have unique zoning overlays, historic district rules, or strict HOA guidelines. Ignoring these early can result in denied permits, unexpected redesigns, or even halted construction, costing you time, money, and momentum.
A reputable Salt Lake City remodeler should always review zoning regulations, property setbacks, and neighborhood guidelines before design work gets too far. They’ll flag red flags early, coordinate with city planners when needed, and ensure your remodel is compliant while still meeting your goals.
Assuming you can live through a full home remodel without much disruption. It’s a common oversight that can lead to a lot more stress than expected.
Between dust, noise, and limited access to key areas like bathrooms or kitchens, living through a remodel can quickly wear thin. If your home becomes unlivable partway through the process and you haven’t lined up a temporary plan, it could cause unexpected delays and drive up costs.
Plan ahead for temporary living arrangements before construction begins. Whether that’s staying with family, renting nearby, or phasing the remodel to maintain access to key areas, your remodeling team should help you create a game plan that supports comfort and keeps the project on track.
A thoughtful, well-managed process makes all the difference in both your experience and your finished space.
At Marshall Homes, we help Salt Lake City homeowners plan their remodels the right way for a better experience all around. Ready for a better remodeling experience? Reach out to our team today and let’s talk about your next step.