Surviving a Home Renovation
Make A Budget
It is critical for any home renovation to make a budget.
Write out every aspect of your project, big and small, with a projected cost. Take the time to write in the actual cost as they come. Then, re-evaluate your budget. This will help you determine if you need to make shifts or changes to the plan to account for certain items that may be going over budget - this will happen in any renovation! Most importantly, include a “slush fund” to the original budget plan to help account for going over budget or forgetting to budget certain items that are necessary in your renovation.
Good / Better / Best Timeline
The hardest part of navigating a home renovation is the disappointment of getting off schedule. Unfortunately, most renovations are not going to stay exactly on schedule. Making a good/better/best timeline will help to maintain sanity in the wait.
Make A List - Check This Off Nightly
At the beginning of your renovation, make a list of everything that you can think of that needs to happen for project completion. Add to this list as things come up during the renovation. Take some time at the end of every day to reflect on the progress made that day, and check off all the things that were completed. This helps to shift focus from what needs to be done to what has been done.
One Task At A Time
Many big and small tasks come with territory of home renovations. Focus on one task at a time to prevent feelings of overwhelm.
Think 2-3 Steps Ahead
In a home renovation you should always be thinking 2-3 steps ahead, and preparing for what is to come. Thinking 2-3 steps ahead will help you to stay on schedule and avoid unnecessary delays. There is nothing worse than getting delayed waiting for a simple item, like a sink to be delivered, that could have been ordered earlier.
Practice with a Questioning Attitude
Whether working with contractors or doing all the work yourself, you are still the general contractor for your home renovation. It is important to practice with a questioning attitude to ensure that everyone and everything stays on schedule. Call to ensure that items are ordered and ordered correctly! Follow up that items scheduled for delivery are on time. Communicate between contractors to keep everyone informed and in the loop.
Communication is key.
Plan Ahead for Not Having Simple Luxuries
Take the time to mentally prepare for not having simple luxuries during your renovation. Make a plan for how you are going to manage challenges so you are feeling prepared instead of having a melt down.
(I’m not speaking from experience or anything).
Give Yourself Grace
Home renovations are hard. There will be ups & downs. Good days and not as good days. Give yourself grace in the process. It will be a distant memory before long.
We’ve created a checklist just for you! Our hope is this list will help start your home renovation off on the right foot.
