You thought your renovation idea was brilliant; otherwise, you wouldn’t have decided to do it. Before you rush in headfirst, however, take a deep breath, and consider what you’re doing. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2003 cost vs. value report of renovations, on average, 86 percent of home renovation costs can be regained in the sales price of the house. For example, if you are spending $30,000 on home improvements or renovations, the actual value of your home should increase by an average of $25,800. Depending on a variety of factors, such as where you live and what improvements you made, you may be able to recoup more than you put in.

However, keep in mind that there are just some projects that don’t “pay for themselves.” If your renovation idea is to replace your backyard with a basketball court or make your Tudor house “modern” with a Frank Lloyd Wright-esque addition, many buyers may not agree with the sensibility and brilliance of your idea. A buyer is more likely to think that a house just doesn’t work than to think about what they can do to make it work, says Marcia Previti of New York’s Gillis Previti Architects.

So, before you buy even a hammer, consider these four renovation don’ts:

1. Consider your surroundings. As much as you may want to stand out from your neighbors, making your house twice as big as the others on your street is not a good idea. Instead, you should “stick with the scale of the neighborhood,” according to Michael Litchfield, author of Renovation.
2. Remember your home’s “roots.” It is always a good idea to “keep the house in the flavor that was intended,” says Hedy Weiss, a Coldwell Banker agent in New Jersey. If your house is older, or even historical, do not renovate it to look too modern. If you are adding on, make sure that you make it flow with the style of the rest of the house. Updates can be made without sacrificing your home’s original style and flair.
3. Don’t color too far outside the lines. When you have an improvement or renovation idea, think about what the majority of homebuyers would want from a house. Will most buyers want a completely outfitted home office instead of a garage? Will the homebuyers in your area want to pay for the upkeep of a pool? (If you live in a cooler climate, the answer is probably no, but in some warmer climates, pools are very sought after.)
4. Don’t DIY if you HNC (Have No Clue). You may think that you can save money by making improvements yourself, but you may end up costing yourself fortunes. Building conventions exist for a reason; ignoring them can be costly. Many would-be DIYers make major mistakes such as removing weight-bearing walls or finishing basements without first dealing with water issues. Mistakes such as these can cause problems that will show up on a home inspection when you’re trying to sell. If you are less than an expert at home improvements or renovations, it may be a good idea to hire and/or consult a professional.
   

Keeping these four renovation don’ts in mind when thinking about making major changes to your home will improve your chances of successfully raising your home’s value with that updated bathroom, additional bedroom or finished basement.

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