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Surviving a Major Renovation
Going through a major renovation of your house is tough.
Dust everywhere… Never-ending noise pollution… Other living creatures you don’t know how to describe…
Living through a home renovation feels like one big fight for sanity.
But it doesn’t have to be that way…
Every year, millions of homeowners renovate their houses and survive to tell the tale.
In fact, they finish their projects thrilled with how their house turned out.
You can do this. Let’s learn how to survive.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why It’s So Hard To Live Through A Renovation
- Your Biggest Pain Points
- Survival Strategies That Work
- Keep Your Sanity (& Relationships)
- Renovation Survival, Complete
Why It’s So Hard To Live Through A Renovation
Let’s get one thing straight…
Your dream renovation often ends up being more difficult than expected because homeowners fail to plan for the disruption it entails.
They see the pretty pictures online…
They don’t think about what it’s like to actually live there while it happens.
And if your home renovation services include living in your home during the process…
Then it’s going to feel like living somewhere else for weeks… Or even months.
Clever Real Estate shares that 87% of homeowners said their renovation was difficult. Here are the biggest frustrations homeowners faced when completing their projects:
- Lost budget
- Stress
- Decision fatigue
Which means that out of every 10 homeowners, nearly 9 struggle.
Why?
It’s simple. A major renovation project wipes out your:
- Sleep schedule
- Kitchen
- Normal way of living
Everything you did to stay comfortable in your home before has to change.
But it doesn’t have to feel crappy if you’re prepared.
Partnering with skilled home renovation contractors that know what they’re doing can really help.
Not only will they have a realistic time frame in place, but they’ll communicate with you every step of the way.
Your contractors will explain what your living will look like when they’re done.
And they’ll walk you through what to expect during each phase of the renovation process.
But even with help…
Living through a renovation is hard. And you need to be prepared if you want to survive.
Your Biggest Pain Points
Most advice out there will leave you stressed about living through a renovation.
Not this.
Before we get into how you can survive a renovation with your relationships (and sanity) intact. Let’s review why renovations are painful.
Ever notice how dust finds its way into every single cranny of your home?
Yeah. Don’t even try to avoid that.
You will also be consumed by construction noise.
You know how they say loud noises can make you cranky? They aren’t kidding.
And they haven’t invented the technology to soundproof your house while living in it yet.
And if they’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom?
You’re going to be miserable during meal times.
There’s no getting around these renovation pain points. But you can prepare for them.
Survival Strategies That Work
Ready to go through your renovation with flying colors?
Follow these tips, and you’ll survive living through a home renovation.
Create a Place That’s Free of Renovation Mess
This is the single most important tip you’ll read about living through a renovation.
Figure out a way to section off or avoid the mess entirely for at least one room in your home.
You need a safe place to go to recharge.
Outfit it with things you need to stay sane during a renovation:
- Place to sleep
- Entertainment
- Kitchen supplies
- Whatever else helps you unwind
Stage a Make-Shift Kitchen
If your kitchen is out of commission, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat.
Get creative and make a make-shift kitchen somewhere else in the house. Even if you can only fit:
- Microwave/toaster oven
- Mini fridge
- Coffee pot
- Disposable dishes
You can make it work.
Pro-tip: Take care of meals before renovation starts.
Meal prep like your life depends on it before renovation starts.
Cook large quantities of food that you can freeze in single-serving sizes. That way, you don’t have to worry about meals when everything is hectic.
Talk to Your Contractor EVERY DAY
Clear and open communication with your contractor is critical.
Speak to them each day to understand the progress made, what’s coming up, and if anything changes in the schedule.
This helps you plan for what’s coming.
It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and clear up concerns before they become bigger issues.
Protect Your Belongings
There’s not much you can do about dust.
But you can avoid damage to furniture and belongings by taking these precautions:
- Cover furniture with plastic sheeting or drop cloths
- Remove any valuable items from the work area
- Seal door frames with plastic & painter’s tape
- Invest in air filters to catch debris
Plan Around Loud Noise
Again. Construction noise is unavoidable when living through a renovation.
There are steps you can take to minimize the frustration, however.
Ask your contractor what the daily work schedule looks like. Know when the noisy tasks will happen and plan accordingly.
Errands, appointments, or outdoor activities should be scheduled during these times.
If you work from home, consider investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Or budget for a hotel stay or a night with friends if the noise is expected to be too overbearing.
Schedule Extra Time & Money
Want to know a secret most people don’t like to admit…
Renovations take longer.
And cost more.
Plan for these setbacks ahead of time, and you’ll never feel overwhelmed.
Padding your budget and timeline allows for the unknown
Add an additional 15-20% to your budget for surprise expenses.
Likewise, build at least 2 extra weeks into your schedule. Delays are inevitable; expect them.
Keep Your Sanity (& Relationships) Intact
Renovations aren’t easy on anyone in the house.
When you’re living at home during construction, everyone is going to get a little cranky. Stress accumulates. Patience runs thin.
If you aren’t careful, tiny arguments can escalate and cause tension in your relationships.
Avoid becoming a renovation monster by…
- Getting out of the house for breaks
- Celebrating the small victories
- Trying to remain flexible
And remember…
Let your contractor do their job.
They know how to handle construction fun.
Renovation Survival, Complete
Surviving a major renovation in your house is tricky.
But if you come prepared, it’s not impossible.
Every homeowner has the ability to live through a renovation and love how their home turns out.
Be sure to prepare by:
- Creating a renovation-free zone
- Establishing temporary kitchen & bedrooms
- Speaking to your contractor daily
- Protecting your stuff from dust & damage
- Allowing extra time and money for surprises
Living in your home during renovations is stressful.
But it doesn’t have to live that way.
Focus on the finished product. Take deep breaths, and remember… this dust won’t last forever.