Today I’m sharing the wisdom of my dear friend Heidi, who recently completed an extensive home renovation project. Her family of four lived in their home during the renovation process, which brings with it certain…um…challenges.
I asked Heidi to share her home renovation survival tips with all of us today. Got a home renovation project in your future? These tips are sure to save your sanity!
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HOME RENOVATIONS SURVIVAL TIPS
1. MENTALLY PREPARE FOR CHRONIC CHAOS
If you are the type who likes everything “just so”, you will seriously need prepare yourself mentally for the temporary change in lifestyle that goes hand-in-hand with living in a “Renovation in Process” environment.
You will need to adopt the mantra that “this too shall pass”, and regularly remind yourself that the end result will be worth it!
2. TAKE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF CONSTRUCTION DUST
Heidi suggests packing away items that you will not need access to during the renovation process, in order to prevent them from being coated with construction dust. Also, consider investing in magnetic air vent covers to use in the areas of your home that are not being renovated. Another good practice is to seal the doorway between your living area and the renovation area via heavy-duty plastic drop cloths.
Zipwall is relatively new product on the market for containing construction dust. Although Heidi’s contractors didn’t use Zipwall (nor have I at the time of this post), many DIY bloggers swear by it.
3. ESTABLISH YOUR STORAGE AREAS IN ADVANCE
Renovation projects require the removal of the “stuff” that typically lives in the space…furniture, appliances, home decor, etc. You will need a place in your home to serve as a temporary holding area for this stuff while the project is underway.
4. PREPARE TO MAKE DECISIONS QUICKLY
You will be flexing your decision-making muscle on a daily basis when you undergo an extensive home renovation. Paint colors, flooring, cabinetry, lighting and counter top selections…oh my! Selecting finishes can be a daunting process for the average homeowner. You will often be called upon to make decisions quickly so as not to hold up contractors.
Begin your research as early as possible so that you are in a good position to make those critical decisions when it’s time to do so. If you lack confidence in the design department, enlist the assistance of a professional or a trusted friend who has a knack for design.
5. ORDER MATERIALS ASAP
Be vigilant about ordering all materials necessary for your renovation as soon as possible. You never know when you will be faced with waiting for a backordered item that will prevent your project from moving forward.
Once your project is at a standstill, the contractors move onto other projects, and it can be a painful process as you wait for them to incorporate your project back into their schedule.
(Waiting on the arrival of these windows held her project up for months)
6. THINK TWICE ABOUT DIY-ING IT
You might be tempted to take on certain aspects of the renovation yourself, in order to save some cash. It makes sense to invest your sweat equity if you have expertise in a particular skill like electrical, plumbing, or drywall.
If you are not an expert, you may want to think twice about DIY-ing it. Heidi regrets their attempt at drywall patching (see below), and wished they would have left this piece of the project in the hands of the experts.
BONUS TIP!
Heidi’s final word of advise to me was to avoid letting your kids make paint color selections, or you might just end up with Kermit The Frog green in the hall bathroom! Of course, I learned this lesson awhile back with my daughter’s room.
So those are Heidi’s home renovation survival tips in a nutshell! Stay tuned for the reveal of Heidi’s new and improved abode!
There are sooo many moving parts to keep track of during a home renovation project. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the details…deadlines, budget, and design decisions. Having a system to keep your project(s) organized is a must.
Check out these tools for organizing your home renovation!
Image Credit: © Depositphotos.com /@mrsiraphol
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I like what you said about being prepared to make quick decisions later in the process. I imagine once things get going on a home renovation that you need to keep that momentum going. My husband and I are hoping to renovate, so we’ll have to keep that in mind when we work with a contractor.
Good luck with your project Mindy!
I want to make sure that I get my home renovated nicely. It makes sense that I would want to consider hiring a professional to help! That seems like a good way to ensure that it’s done properly. It would also help save me from a lot of stress in the long run.