Given the amount of emotional and financial investment demanded by a renovation, it is natural to stress over it. “So many things can go wrong,” this is the one thought that constantly bugs you. Although renovation can be a fun experience, there is an air of perpetual anxiety constantly surrounding you during the process. You have to take care of so many things. For starters, you have to set a realistic budget while not getting overwhelmed. It’s safe to say that staying sane while your house is being renovated is in itself a very big achievement.
Are you in the process of remodeling your house too? Are you facing the same difficulties? If yes, then here are 9 ways to make the stressful experience of renovation easy for you.
- Get Out Of Your House
In the renovation process, your house is a big mess, and staying in it adds to your anxiety. You can take this time to plan a mini family vacation. It doesn’t have to be something fancy. It can be something as simple as going to stay at a motel. Go online and search according to your area. Suppose you live in Odessa, Texas. Then a simple search of motels in Odessa TX will find you the right place that you can explore and book online without any hassle.
If your renovation involves replacing dusty and moldy old plasters, then it’s a must to get out of your house and stay at a friend’s place or a motel. If you don’t leave, you’ll get a really bad cough, and dealing with sickness while you are renovating your home is something nobody wants.
- Make Lists
Lists are a life-saver when it comes to getting organized. Breaking things down into categories with the help of lists will help you remember all the parts of your house that require remodeling. Is there are any part of your house in need of repairs? Repairs should be at the top of your list since they add to your inconvenience over time. Then, you can explore ways to make your house more convenient. For example, you can add an extra bookshelf in your study or an extra towel rack in your bathroom, which will enhance your house’s overall appearance and provide you with more space. To sum up, if you make a list of all the above tasks, it will help you avoid last-minute anxiety.
- Set A Budget
The first thing that you need to do is extensive planning, thinking, and researching to find the best value for your money. You need to act rationally when setting a budget. Estimate costs that you can afford while accounting for emergencies because several unplanned tasks might come up once you get started with your renovation. For instance, you might discover a damaged water pipe. So you need to have a solid contingency plan to deal with unplanned expenses. You can also explore financing options such as home improvement loans that allow you to renovate your house to increase its resale value.
- Make Wise Decisions
Do your research regarding your chosen contractor. Read customer reviews, ask the contractor for references, and to show pictures of their previous projects. It will also be helpful if you discuss the schedule of your renovation with the contractor in advance. For instance, find out when you will be without power or water. Choose the most convenient timings for you and your family; it will be a wise call to book your contractor in the summer break so that the school/work routines of you and your family are not disrupted.
- Have A Plan To Deal With The Mess
After your renovation is complete, your house looks beautiful, but you have to deal with all the mess before restarting your daily life. Even if you ask the contractor to make sure that the house is cleaned daily, dust particles can settle on your furniture. If you are a germaphobe, this will become a nightmare for you. A good step will be to put a sheet on all your furniture and then have a professional cleaner come over later when the renovation is complete. If you have a lot of allergies, make sure to use eco-friendly cleaning products since they have few allergens.
- Have A Realistic Deadline In Mind
Make sure you consult with your contractor before keeping a deadline in mind and keep a few days extra in mind since many things can go wrong, so it is better to be prepared. This way, you will not be disappointed when things don’t go your way. If you have an unrealistic deadline in mind and keep pressuring your contractor to keep up with your plan, then the remodeling quality might be severely affected.
- Have A Yard Sale
Renovations are a good way of getting rid of all the stuff you no longer need: clothes your kids have grown out of, old magazines, extra utensils, etc. You can take this opportunity to have a yard sale and save yourself from the hassle of moving these items with you.
- Plan For Babysitting
Having movie nights with your kids while your home is being renovated takes up a lot of time and disrupts your schedule. So, it is better to talk to your sitter in advance and let them know about the extra occasions you will need them for. If they are not available, you can talk to a relative to look after your kids. You can also give yourself small breaks when your kids are not around so that you are not too exhausted for the next day.
- Talk To Your Neighbor
When your house is being renovated, you are not the only one affected. Talk to your neighbors in advance and let them know how they will be affected. For starters, they will have to deal with all the noise. Additionally, a fencing problem might arise, and it will be better dealt with if you have already had a conversation with your neighbors.
Don’t let renovations become a cash drain for you. Organize your tasks, do thorough research before hiring a contractor, and book a motel in advance. The better the plan, the easier the renovation will be on you.