Summer especially can be a prime time to tackle house projects, target upgrades and undergo other home renovations. Whether it’s installing a new deck or patio outside, or deciding between fresh paint or vinyl siding on the house, the list of “to do” items can clearly span pages. Not only can some home renovations involve increased costs and a potential strain on finances, they can also carry with them an increased mental, physical and emotional load.
In the past few years, my family and I had strongly considered moving because after having lived in our current house for more than 20 years, we had reached the proverbial breaking point: We had so many “things” to upgrade or replace, so much “stuff” to sort through and SO much to deal with overall. It was time to seriously evaluate our situation.
It was almost too much.
At first, moving and starting over from scratch seemed like the best option, a quick-fix to hightail it out of there with the least amount of stress possible. Yet, something nagged at us; it’s the feeling like you are missing a detail or a clear validation that this is the right choice. After much reflection and a lot of discussions, the answer was easy. We loved our neighborhood, we loved our neighbors, we loved our son’s school and overall, we loved our routine in our home. We realized we did not want to move, and instead, we wanted to pour some love into our house. So, it was time to plan, research and execute. What was largely a huge, daunting undertaking became more and more manageable over time. We experienced highs and lows—felt prepared at times and thrown for a loop at other moments, and gained an even bigger appreciation for all the work that goes into renovating a home.
Here are some tips to help you be better aware, more prepared and navigate staying afloat when undergoing home renovations:
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Do Your Research
Read company reviews, compile multiple estimates, scour the web, ask around and do your homework. Trust me, it will be time well-spent because you want your contractors and companies to be reputable and trustworthy, to value your property, to carry insurance, to use sturdy materials, to be financially fair – all of it. Be prepared to get multiple estimates because of the varying prices from different companies. You will be able to weed out who is possibly charging way too much, who seems more professional and who is the best fit for you and your home. We had one company quote more than $45K for vinyl siding, another at $25K and two others at $30K. While we ended up going a completely different direction in that department, but we definitely knew who we weren’t picking based on our research! Yes, it is another task, something else to do, but it proves so valuable when it involves your checkbook, your living space and undoubtedly, your quality of life.
2. Mentally Prepare Yourself
Depending on what type of work you are having done, prepare yourself for your usual sense of “order” to be disrupted. Your normal routine might shift in ways you won’t necessarily anticipate. Your sleep might be impacted as your body and mind adapts to the changes in your home. Your house might temporarily be in disarray; you’ll have boxes of flooring stacked in one room, carpet ripped out, furniture moved and all sorts of items appear that had otherwise been under the bed, in a closet or who knows where. Your kitchen may not be accessible or functional for a bit, so you will have to be creative with meal preparations. The physical clutter around you can possibly create mental clutter and take a toll on your health and mindset. Always be kind to yourself; remind yourself about the end goal and the end product. One day at a time, one project at a time, it will get done eventually, even though it can create inconveniences along the way.
3. Declutter as Much as Possible
Extra credit goes to you if you declutter before renovations begin. I cannot stress enough how much it will help you if you prepare ahead of time in this department; the last thing you need if your house is being dissected and upgraded, is boxes and boxes and bags and bags of “stuff” that you have accumulated over the years (in our case, 22 years) surfacing all over. Clothing, shoes, accessories, your artwork from grade school – it can all pop up when you least expect it. And when you do not want or need anything else added to your plate. Expect to experience more de-cluttering after house renovations wrap up; it’s just part of it.
4. Document
Be sure to take “before,” “during” and “after” pictures of your projects and progress. You will love to see where things were to start, where they were heading during renovations and what they became after all the hard work! The evolution of your indoor and outdoor living quarters can be so fun to document and celebrate. You can also take notes throughout the process of things you would change or do differently in the future; after all, who knows if you will have the chance to undertake this renovations journey again.
5. Be Patient
Being patient stands out as one of the most important tools when undergoing house renovations. Find ways to keep yourself happy and afloat; alleviate stress by taking walks, exercising, reading, journaling, drawing, whatever tasks bring you joy and take the limelight off of your house being in disarray. Be kind to your contractors and to your loved ones. Reframe your thinking from the mindset of inconvenience to the mindset of growth. Think twice about things that may be triggering you; perhaps they should not be given such triggering power. Patience can truly be your superpower.
When it comes to extensive home renovations, things will obviously not get done overnight. Yet, gently remind yourself, they will get done. The only way out is through, and you will have even more to be grateful for when order is restored!
