Renovating your home takes time, energy, and a large amount of patience. Even the most patient person in the world can still get caught up with the frustrations surrounding a renovation.
Whether you describe yourself as easy-going or not, you’re going to need these 4 tips to get through your home renovation.
1. Have a plan
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when renovating your home is not having a plan. If you don’t, you might realize halfway into the project that it will take longer than you expected for one reason or another. This only extends your discomfort and increases your stress level.
Think about your project in advance, especially if you’re doing it yourself, and make a plan for every step of the way. If you’re working with a contractor, make sure you both know what you’re looking for upfront. This should make you feel more at ease going into the project and during the renovation.
2. Know your budget
Another thing you can run into when renovating your home is spending too much money without realizing it. Don’t be one of those people.
Make sure you budget an extra 15% to 20% for unforeseen expenses. This way you’ll come in at or under the budget and won’t get overwhelmed if something comes up.
3. Make the most of your usable space
If you’re completing a large renovation, one that will take over multiple rooms or rooms you utilize a lot, you’re going to need to make the most out of the other areas of your house.
You may have to use your dining room as your kitchen, or your bedroom as your living room. Plan for this in advance and get everything set up before the work begins.
4. Move out, if possible
If you’re completing a larger project and you’re hiring outside help, it can be extremely stressful to have all of those people entering and exiting your house. To eliminate this common stressor, the best option is to move out if you can.
If this isn’t an option for you talk to your contractor and set some ground rules about when work should start and end, what entrance would be best used, and possibly renting an outdoor toilet depending on the size and duration of your project.
Remember, it’s only temporary
Most importantly, you need to make sure you still schedule some fun into your life. You might be tight on money, but you have the ability to scale back without completely forgetting to treat yourself.
Continuing to do the things you love during your home renovation will help relieve some of the stress.
How did you survive your home renovation?
