Renovation mistakes often start with materials that look beautiful but fail fast. Tiles shining in the shop can crack at home. A paint that looks bright in daylight may peel after the first rainy season. Real renovation isn’t about how it looks in week one—it’s about how it holds up after one year of use.
Always choose materials based on where they will be used, not just on price or beauty. Wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens need anti-slip tiles and moisture-resistant boards. Areas with children or heavy traffic need scratch-resistant floors. Cheap wood swells, bends, or hosts termites; sometimes spending a little more saves you from replacing it twice.
Ask suppliers very direct questions: Is it water-resistant? Heat-resistant? Warranty? Maintenance required? If they can’t answer clearly, they probably just want to sell it and move on. Avoid buying everything from pictures—touch it, feel it, knock it, ask for samples if possible.
Most importantly, budget for quality in invisible areas. Strong plumbing pipes, proper waterproofing, good electrical cables—no one sees them, but they decide whether your renovation survives or falls apart. Shiny finishing with weak materials underneath is just disaster waiting quietly.