Timothy Caraboolad Debunks 5 Common Home Renovation Myths
PALM BEACH, Fla. – August 22, 2026 – Renovating a home can look simple from the outside. Pick a design. Hire someone to build it. Choose the finishes. Then wait for the finished space.
The reality involves far more decisions.
Timothy Caraboolad has seen those decisions from several sides. He started working in construction as a teenager at Metric Construction Corporation. He later managed multifamily renovations in Brookline and Newton, Massachusetts, before founding luxury residential firm Arc Design. Today, his work through Lad Design has brought him back to high-end residential development in South Florida.
Caraboolad says homeowners can make better decisions by questioning some common assumptions about renovation.
“I learned early that the finished product is only part of the story,” Caraboolad says. “A good project comes from paying attention all the way through.”
Recent numbers show why that matters. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study, 54% of homeowners surveyed renovated in 2025. Median spending was $20,000, while the top 10% of renovating homeowners spent at least $150,000.
Here are five myths Caraboolad believes deserve a closer look.
Myth 1: You Should Start by Choosing Finishes
Why people believe it: Finishes are the most visible and enjoyable part of renovation. Flooring, countertops, cabinets, hardware, and paint also dominate renovation inspiration online.
The reality: Function should come first. Houzz reported that major renovations of large kitchens carried a median spend of $55,000 in its 2025 study. Decisions at that scale deserve more planning than simply choosing what looks good.
“You can have a great idea, but the details are what make that idea real,” Caraboolad says.
Practical tip: Before choosing a single finish, write down three problems the renovated space must solve. Use those answers to guide later design decisions.
Myth 2: More Choices Lead to Better Design
Why people believe it: Homeowners often assume that comparing dozens of products gives them a better chance of finding the perfect option.
The reality: More choices can create decision fatigue and make it harder to maintain a consistent design. Renovations already involve hundreds of decisions, so narrowing options can make the process more manageable.
“I think having too many choices can hurt a project,” Caraboolad says. “Give me three excellent materials instead of 30 average ones.”
Practical tip: Narrow each major selection to three strong options. Compare those options based on function, durability, appearance, and how well they fit the overall home.
Myth 3: You Can Manage Everything From Your Phone
Why people believe it: Photos, video calls, project software, texts, and email make remote project management easier than ever.
The reality: Digital tools are useful, but they cannot always communicate how a physical space actually feels. Measurements, sightlines, transitions, lighting, and small installation details can become much clearer during an in-person walkthrough.
The scale of the remodeling market makes strong project oversight increasingly relevant. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies projected homeowner remodeling spending to reach about $524 billion in early 2026.
Practical tip: Schedule regular walkthroughs at important stages. Bring a written list, take photos, and document decisions immediately afterward.
“Plans and photos are useful, but standing inside a space tells you things a screen cannot,” Caraboolad says.
Myth 4: A Bigger Renovation Is Automatically a Better Renovation
Why people believe it: Large additions and dramatic transformations attract attention. They can make smaller improvements seem less meaningful.
The reality: Size alone does not determine whether a renovation works. In 2025, the median renovation spend among surveyed U.S. homeowners was $20,000. That is far below the $150,000 or more spent by the highest-spending 10%, showing how widely project scopes differ.
A successful project should respond to how the homeowner actually lives.
Practical tip: Ask one question before expanding the project: “What problem does this additional work solve?” If there is no clear answer, reconsider whether it belongs in the scope.
Myth 5: Being Hands-On Means Making Every Decision Yourself
Why people believe it: Homeowners naturally want control over an expensive and personal project. They may assume that staying involved requires approving every small decision.
The reality: Good involvement is different from micromanagement. Contractors, architects, designers, engineers, and tradespeople bring specialized knowledge to a project.
Caraboolad learned this distinction during his own career.
“Being hands-on can be valuable, but it can also become a weakness when every decision has to pass through one person,” he says.
Practical tip: Separate decisions into three categories before work starts: decisions you must make, decisions you want professional recommendations on, and decisions qualified team members can make within agreed guidelines.
If You Only Remember One Thing
Plan around the way a space needs to work before worrying about the way it needs to look.
A renovation is a chain of connected decisions. Layout can affect lighting. Materials can affect maintenance. Construction conditions can affect design. One early choice can influence several later ones.
Clear priorities make those decisions easier.
Homeowners planning a renovation can start today by writing down the three biggest problems they want their project to solve. Then share this myth list with someone considering a renovation and choose one practical tip to put into action before making the next project decision.
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About Timothy Caraboolad
Timothy Caraboolad is an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and designer with experience in construction, project management, luxury residential development, design, and business building. Born and raised in Boston, he began working in construction as a teenager and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Rollins College. His career has included residential renovation and development in Massachusetts, founding Arc Design, building businesses in another highly regulated industry, and returning to high-end residential development through Lad Design in South Florida. His current real estate work includes a focus on spec homes in the SoSo area of West Palm Beach.
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