Few things are more frustrating than dealing with a home renovation. The noise, the mess, the inconvenience- it can all be enough to drive you crazy. But if you want to make it through this process intact, you need to have a plan.
This does not mean you need to make a watertight and iron-clad plan that you have to rigidly stick to in order to get through your home renovation in one piece, but at least have something you can use to help you make the most out of this situation.
Let’s dive right into it and have a look at some tips for surviving a home renovation (with hopefully little to no serious issues).
Create a Temporary Living Space
If at all possible, try to create a temporary living space that is separate from the construction zone. This will be your sanctuary during this chaotic time. It should be an area where you can relax and escape the noise and dust of the renovation.
If you are unable to do this, then you may want to look at alternative living spaces, for example, some people may look at going to something like Whyle furnished apartments in Washington DC for a short stay as this is going on, or maybe a nearby hotel if it is only going to be for a week.
Whatever suits the situation best, as well as what the family needs, has to be taken into consideration here.
Establish Some Ground Rules
Before the work even begins, sit down with your contractor, and establish some ground rules. This includes things like setting up a daily schedule, agreeing on which areas of the house will be off-limits, and establishing quiet hours. By setting these expectations from the start, you can avoid a lot of headaches down the road.
It is also important to let your neighbors know as soon as you have those set-out hours so they can be aware of when the noise will be and how they will be disrupted. It can be tense with renovation work, but you can only provide the information you have from the contractors and stick to the time frame they have given.
Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
If you are unhappy with something, do not be afraid to speak up. It is your home, and you have a right to be involved in the process. If you feel like something is not going the way you want it to, communicate that to your contractor.
They are there because of you, you have asked them to come and do this renovation, so you have a right to speak up when something is going on that you do not like. If you need to switch to a different design for something or change a material, communicate that with them as soon as possible.
Be Patient
Renovations can be slow and frustrating, but it is important to be patient. Try to remember that the end result will be worth the hassle. In the meantime, try to find ways to relax and stay positive.
You may need to stay in your temporary accommodation for a bit longer, or maybe the type of wood you want has gone up in price, whatever it is, know that this will happen, and you just have to take the rough with the smooth.
Stay Involved
Finally, make sure you stay involved in the process. This does not mean micromanaging your contractor, but it does mean keeping an eye on things and making sure everything is going according to plan. If you are involved in the process, you can catch any problems early on and avoid potential disasters.
Conclusion
Follow these tips and you will make it through your home renovation with your sanity intact. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.
