Remodeling your home can be an exciting time, but by its very nature, it involves a certain degree of uncertainty. Coupled with the guaranteed disruption, your home's functionality will ebb and flow, leading to spikes of stress for you and your family.
If you're worried about taking a key room you use often, such as the kitchen or bathroom, out of commission while work is completed, you can mitigate some of the common difficulties with the right approach and preparation beforehand.
Here, our panel of contractors and designers share their five tips to lessen the strain when renovating a house.
How to take the stress out of remodeling
1. Plan robustly
The number one piece of advice toward a stress-free remodel would be to have an up-front, well-defined plan, regardless if you are remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or the entire home. Having some idea of what to expect, formulating a reasonable timeline, and appropriate budgeting can help avoid many of those shocking moments that induce stress when renovating.
According to Josh Mitchell, HVAC technician and owner of Air Conditioner Lab, 35% of homeowners feel that failing to understand the timeline causes the most stress.
To avoid this, outline each phase of the remodel, including deadlines and contingency plans on a document you can keep handy, be it on your phone or on your fridge. If you're unclear about any of them, talk to your contractors to nail down the details. If they can't commit to a definite date, ask for a window of time this type of work takes so you have an idea of what to expect.
Tackling the unknowns is a common psychological tool to reduce anxiety and works well when dealing with the stress of home remodels too.
Josh Mitchell is a plumbing expert and HVAC technician and the owner of Air Conditioner Lab and Plumbing Lab.
2. Set expectations
A bit factor in managing stress in any big task is setting expectations, not only for you, but the contractors and your family too. From the homeowners side, we need to appreciate that remodeling is oftentimes long and can be riddled with unpleasant surprises.
Being patient and calm during this process, even if our initial instinct is to panic, will work benefit everyone involved, most of all you.
Have an open chat with your contractors and ask about common issues that crop up during the type of remodel you're having done and ask about the impacts of those when they arise.
Add a provisional 20% to your budget as a contingency for unforeseen expenses. Unexpected costs are likely to be a contributor to stress so having that extra reserve will help mitigate those feelings and help tackle unexpected obstacles more easily.
3. Have breaks
‘When remodeling your home, remember to take breaks not to get burned out,’ says Elizabeth Vergara, founder and lead designer at Vergara Homes. Remodeling can be all-consuming, but it's also important to step away from it periodically and have time for recharging.
Taking time away from this process regularly to pursue things one enjoys permits a needed step back from constant decisions and disruptions of remodeling. This keeps things in healthy balance and helps keeps stress at bay.
Elizabeth Vergara is the owner of Vergara Homes, a home renovation company with a passion for bespoke and quality home design. Elizabeth has been helping homeowners as a design-build specialist for the past 13 years and has experience in both construction management and architectural design.
4. Develop a temporary living plan
According to Chenise Hinds, a Washington DC and Baltimore-based interior designer, home stager, realtor, and senior contributor at Momooze, one of the biggest difficulties and common remodeling mistakes is trying to live in the home during the remodel. Make an area that isn't touched by the construction process to be a family retreat and 'get away' space.
If the remodeling includes important areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, consider alternative living arrangements to reduce interruption. Set up a temporary kitchen or bathroom for use during building.
For larger projects, arrange alternative living options during important stages of the remodel, such as when major demolition happens, structural changes are made, or when there’s a lot of dust and noise.
Chenise Hinds is an interior designer and licensed realtor based in the Washington D.C. Baltimore area. Her educational background includes a stint as a Graduate Assistant at the prestigious New York School of Interior Design, where she cultivated her keen eye for aesthetics and functional design.
5. Communicate effectively
Communication with any contractor or professional should be as clear as possible to help minimize any chance of misconceptions or misunderstandings. If you find it hard to communicate with potential professionals, consider alternative. Picking a good contractor has a lot to do with their experience, but don't forget to listen to your instinct when picking a good contractor.
Equally important is communicating with the other members of your household so that everyone is up to date and involved in the process. Getting everybody involved in the process and making it a team effort can turn the experience into a bonding activity rather than a stressful ordeal.
This helps manage your expectations and provides a setting that is conducive, supportive, where issues can be brought up and dealt with promptly before they can amount to larger problems.
6. Stay positive
Maintain a positive mindset throughout the remodeling process. Focus on the benefits your home will gain from the updates, such as increased comfort and potential value added to the property.
Remind yourself that while the process may be challenging, the final result will make it worthwhile. This can help you stay focused and motivated.
Getting up a little earlier each day to meditate, breathe, or walk clears your mind a bit and minimizes anxiety. Keeping active and well-rested also helps your mind tremendously in such a chaotic period of time with remodeling.
FAQs
What are the most challenging rooms to renovate?
Kitchens and bathrooms are typically the hardest rooms to renovate. This is due to the addition of all the electrical and plumbing work alongside redecorating and installing new fixtures and fittings.
Almost without exception, remodeling presents its share of unexpected challenges. It’s important to just roll with it and view these challenges as learning opportunities to adapt.
Having a little contingency plan in place will give you some sense of control and preparedness. Further, reaching out to friends and family for support can be beneficial when trying to deal with any stressful scenarios that arise.
Next, consider architectural features to add to your home that will increase its value.
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