10 things I forgot to budget for in my home remodeling project

I never saw these budget busters coming. When we started our remodel, I was feeling pretty smug about our budget planning. We had money set aside for all the “big things” — cost overruns, landscaping, appliances, even kitchen hardware. We knew where the dollars were going, and we were ready for a few curveballs.

What wasn’t I ready for? The slow trickle of “little things” that somehow turned into a flood.

It all started innocently enough — a prettier doorknob here, a more stylish vent cover there — and before I knew it, my remodel spreadsheet had an entirely new column titled “Wait, We Forgot About This.”

The Reality of the “Small Stuff”

When you’re knee-deep in drywall dust, you’re not thinking about laundry rods or closet hooks. You’re picturing the big reveal: new floors, fresh paint, beautiful cabinets. But it’s the tiny, finish-level details that make the space truly livable and polished — and every single one of them comes with a price tag.

Individually, these purchases seem minor. But add them together, and suddenly you’re staring at a number big enough to make you sit down (preferably on the one chair that isn’t covered in sawdust).

The Surprise List

Here’s what unexpectedly added to our budget, item by item:

1. Hinges and Door Knobs

I assumed our doors would include hardware. They did… if you prefer shiny, hollow, “builder basic” knobs. We opted for something heavier and more stylish. Multiply that cost by every door in the house and, well, it’s not insignificant.

2. Upgraded Heat Returns and Registers

The standard white stamped metal covers that are often used in home design simply did not align with the aesthetic vision we had for our space. These basic covers, while functional, lacked the elegance and style that we were aiming to achieve. They felt too generic and detracted from the overall appeal of our carefully curated interior design.

After much deliberation, we decided to replace them with sleeker, clean looking integrated floor vents that will be stained with the rest of the flooring. The transformation was remarkable; the room felt instantly more cohesive and thoughtfully designed, reflecting our personal style and attention to detail.

However, the financial aspect of this decision was not without its challenges. Each decorative cover came with a price tag of $90, which, when multiplied by the number we needed, quickly added up. Additionally, the installation required extra labor for the flooring, which further contributed to the overall cost. When we tallied up the expenses, it was clear that the total would make a noticeable dent in our budget.

Despite the initial sting of the costs involved, I can confidently say that I would make the same choice again in a heartbeat. The impact these new covers have had on our space is invaluable. They not only improved the aesthetic appeal but also brought a sense of harmony and completeness to the design. The investment was undoubtedly worthwhile, as it elevated our home’s atmosphere and made it a more inviting and enjoyable place to be. In the end, the satisfaction derived from the enhanced beauty of our home far outweighs the financial considerations, reaffirming the importance of investing in quality design elements that truly resonate with our vision.

3. Laundry and Shower Rods

Turns out that flimsy tension rod wasn’t going to cut it in our main bath. Add a custom-length rod for the laundry room, and suddenly we’re in “fancy rod” territory. Then, when you prefer polished nickel to standard chrome, it will run you a few hundred dollars.

4. Closet Organization Systems

Closet shelving and rods were just not something I was thinking about when we were in the planning phases. However, as we started to see our space start to take shape and I could imagine using the closets and what would get stored in which space, closet systems became a priority. And while there is nothing urgent about closets, for me, I knew it would be the difference between being annoyed and truly settling in my space when the builder gave us our keys back to a clean, newly remodeled home.

We used Inspired Closets. I worked with them in my former home and had a great experience. I found them to be more cost-effective than California Closets and more flexible in terms of what they could do to customize to my specific "old house" quirks. The closet designer came out and measured all my closets and talked me through the best options. I had a budget of $10,000 that she hit perfectly. Now, I did not do a fancy walk-in suite closet, but this did include 5 reach-in closets, a linen closet, a utility closet, and additional shelving for 2 other random closets in our house. I highly recommend Inspired Closets.

5. Mud Hall Hooks and Built-In Bookcase Hardware

Simple hooks? Sure. But then I saw the gorgeous matte black ones that felt sturdy and intentional. The same with the hidden hardware for the built-in bookcases — invisible to guests, painfully visible on the invoice.

6. Drapery Rods

Because, of course, the ones I liked cost more, and, of course, every window needed a different length. I will admit - I did budget for drapery hardware - but not nearly enough. Not only have costs of items like drapery hardware skyrocketed in the past 5 years, but I did not take into account 3 windows in particular that required very custom double-layer rods for specific functional purposes. They will be worth it, and I will have them up in 30 years when I leave this house to 'go to the home'... but man... didn't see that coming.

7. Frames for the Frame TVs

We splurged on Samsung Frame TVs, but didn’t think about the matching decorative frames. Spoiler: they’re sold separately. To be perfectly honest - I have not even started looking at these yet. This may just have to wait! I have no idea what they cost... and I don't even want to look yet. There are many options to purchase Frame TV frames - but this is the one I expect to browse through first Deco TV Frames.

8. Light Switches and Switch Plate Covers

If you’re painting your walls a custom color, basic white plates stand out like a sore thumb. We upgraded some of our covers — small upgrade, big visual impact. This one is from Residence Supply and I think it's stunning. We used various solutions for light switch plate covers. Because I chose to wallpaper almost every inch of my house, I decided to wallpaper the switch covers to conceal them best.

9. Custom Cabinet Organizational Insert

Pull-out spice racks, utensil dividers, vertical tray storage… all those nifty little upgrades you add during kitchen installation. I don’t regret a single one, but none were in the original budget.

10. Whole House humidification system

While we had all of our HVAC needs being updated and a new furnace being installed on our second floor, we also decided to add a whole-home humidification system. We wanted to ensure that our investment in custom cabinets, new solid hardwood flooring, and wood paneling on the walls and ceilings would stand the test of time. We know that with the four distinct seasons that Wisconsin experiences and our proximity to Lake Michigan, we would face gaps and potential cupping in our woodwork during the winter and summer months. We had not thought about it during the planning phase, but as we were in the midst of the project, we made the call to add this feature to our HVAC system.

How It Adds Up

Here’s the thing: none of these items were essential to make the house functional. But they were essential to make the house feel like ours. The catch? A $40 upgrade here and a $75 purchase there adds up shockingly fast. By the time we finished, our “small stuff” category rivaled the cost of an entire appliance package.

Lessons Learned

1. Add a “Finishing Touches” Line Item – Before you start, dedicate 5–10% of your budget to little upgrades and forgotten necessities.

2. Ask What’s Included – Builder-grade defaults aren’t always what you’ll want long-term.

3. Shop Early & Keep a Running List – That way, you’re not panic-buying rods, knobs, or inserts at the last minute.

4. There will be things that you just could not think about or realize until you are in the middle of it all - just plan on that and save a bit of cash so you can get it right.

Final Thoughts

Yes, these little extras added to our budget stress, but they’re also some of the features I love most. They make the difference between a generic renovation and a home that feels custom, layered, and thoughtfully designed. It's nearly impossible to think of every cost at the outset of a project. The typical recommendation is 10-20% for cost overruns. This is not because of poor planning. Rather, we need these numbers available because remodeling projects are simply impossible to pinpoint a budget and stick to it. The home and process end up dictating that to us. For our project, we set aside 20% of the total cost of the project. We ended up needing 5% to the builder for costs that fell under their umbrella. This is fairly low - but I credit that to an excellent planning process with LaBonte Construction and HB Designs. I knew what level of finishes I wanted from the outset, so our allowances mainly hit spot on. This allowed us the funds to pay for all these little extras that I had not thought of.

So if you’re planning your own remodel — don’t forget the hinges. Or the closet rods. Or the vent covers. Trust me, they’re coming for your budget whether you plan for them or not.