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Living through a major renovation is in our future! We’re hoping to survive and thrive so I’ve been gathering information

• from my clients who’ve done it
• from my experience on the job 
• previous renovations I’ve lived through
• everything I’ve read online

 Watch the VIDEO!

Let’s start by agreeing, all change is hard, right?

Have a baby! Sounds like a lovely idea.  If you've ever been pregnant, you know it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.  But the end result, awww so cute!

Any change, disruption to our lives is hard, but in the end, hopefully, you get a nice healthy baby and your house comes out as beautifully as you’ve planned.

Things to consider when living in a renovation site

If you're going to live through a renovation, that means physically being present on site while this is taking place like I am planning to do, you need to be prepared.

• mentally
• financially
• physically

Financially prepared

This is one of those areas where sometimes it’s good to spend a dollar to save $1.50.

Did you read that?

There are times when the homeowners presence will slow down the progress on site.

If you’re living in half the house, the plumber can only work on this faucet, in this bathroom and he’s got to come back to do the washer dryer on that side, and then when you’re not home and you don’t need WATER.

and come back to do the other bathroom, and come back….

It takes time when we change tasks.

Multitasking is bullshit, right?

It's bullshit in construction too, so if you can get out of their way for a short period of time when there’s major work to be done, that may save you money, time and aggravation in the long run

and

save you from living through the worst of it.  But, sometimes that’s not possible.

So, if you’re determined, like me, to live through as much as you can, read on.

Mentally prepared

Michael Jordan, the author of the only book my brother ever voluntarily read, says “Champions don’t become champions when they win an event.  It’s in the hours, weeks and months preparing for it”  Not bad MJ.

Do your part, your preparation.

Do as much pre planning as you possibly can. 

“You can use an eraser on the drafting board or a sledgehammer on the job site.”

Frank LLoyd Wright

If you need help getting started with defining your style, watch my video to get going.

it’s a good idea to live in the home first. I know it may be daunting to live with some things for a long time but you get to know the location.  Seeing how the light changes at different times will give you a better idea of where to place windows, where not to do things. 

The fixer we got is centrally located on dog walking central.  There’s a parade every evening that I want to see walk by.  It’s like they bring the dog pound to my house everyday! Heaven. Now, I know where to place my landscaping so I get a glimpse of the parade and give privacy to the yard.

It’s that simple!

Once you have your plans finalized, purchases for fixtures, appliances, cabinetry in process and contractor at the gate….

Prepare the job site, make decisions, choose items and then stop looking.

Physically Prepare Your Environment

Have the contractors seal off the place as best they can and use zipper or tape to seal the space off.  It will help, but do more yourself.

Tape, zip, plastic whatever.  The dust will still come.  Like a New York City cockroach, it gets everywhere!

Move anything and everything to prevent damage.  Contractors are notorious for having tool belts that swing and smash.  If you value something, find a safe place away from the work.

Wrap up everything you don’t need desperately for the next few months.

I mean, wrap it up, move it out of the house or out of the way.

When you open it up, it's nice and clean. It won’t be covered with dust, scratched or broken and feel like a present for your new house.

Develop a plan for how you’re going to have a makeshift kitchen or bathroom if need be.

In remodels and renovations, the most important and critical thing,

just like on Survivor,

the thing that’s going to knock you out on Naked and Afraid is

WATER!

Losing the sink is the last thing you wanna do - you can always find a place to heat up food. The microwave on top of the washer dryer, put the fridge in the garage, in the basement.

But the lack of a toilet and sink will have you crying in a tinfoil blankie, “UNCLE!”

If you have to wash dishes and brush your teeth in the same sink with five people living in a house filled with dust and strangers, your patience will quickly run out. 

Make a Calendar of the job with your contractor.  Now, it’s an estimate.  We all know the world can be turned upside down.  But this gives you a timeline for scheduling vacations or time to let them work.  It also gives you a timeline for when fixtures or that light for the kitchen island is needed.

Prepare for dust.  It’s gonna be everywhere and it’s gonna be everywhere long after the job is done.  I tell my clients to add house cleaning into their budgeting for after the construction is done.  The dust will come for months after a remodel or new construction.  The cleanest job sites throughout the process will still rain down sheetrock dust for weeks and months.

Prepare for the safety of kids, pets and elderly on job sites that have things you can trip on, wires that are live and nails that can end in a tetanus shot.

There are strangers in and out of your house, so make sure that you have secure locks. Change the code often, and have a limited number of people that have access to that code. You are changing that code weekly, did I say that already?

Create a clean, safe space that you’re gonna live in and keep it private. 

• Pack away everything.
• Order ahead. Light fixtures don't spoil!
• Photograph everything.  You will have a reference once the walls are closed up.
• Utilize your outside spaces for makeshift living spaces.

Garages, sheds, basements making them a temporary useable space to play or store items, or to just go and have for yourself!

• Prep frozen meals, crockpot, take out, paper plates and paper napkins know that it is a short term solution for a long term gain!

Your personal space is important. Everyone’s physical environment is going to have an affect on their mental wellbeing and we know that that ruins everything if not tended to properly. As an introvert, to have people in my stuff is unsettling, so I need to make space that’s my own and that I can go to, whether that’s on site or somewhere else. Make that space for yourself.

Remember, this is change and change is hard.  The butterfly, keep the butterfly in mind so…

• set your routines and try to keep some "normal"
• if you work out, keep working out
• if you meditate, keep doing that
• if you don’t do either of those, add those to your schedule
• be flexible

Remember, this is a part time/full time job.  You need to be accessible and ready to make decisions on site.  A benefit of being there!

Because you’ve hired out the work does not mean that you are off the hook.  There are tons of decisions and time required for you to be present. This is one benefit of living through construction.  

Be prepared for the extra time it’s going to take in YOUR schedule.  This is the time to call in favors!  Get extra babysitting, cleaning, moving help.  Schedule time each week in your work day schedule for meeting with contractors, shopping and sourcing materials.

TOP TIPS

CONTRACTORS get up early so,

• Start your routine earlier, so that you can have some privacy in the morning.  There’s nothing worse than answering the door in a towel because they’ll be there at 7:30, ready to work.
• Remember the endgame!  I’m eating crappy takeout so that …..
• Stay on top of the paperwork.  Don’t fall behind ordering fixtures, paying people, checking their work and…
• Always be grateful.

I hate the expression “first world problems” but be grateful that you’re getting to do this.  It’s an exciting privilege that you have earned!

I understand how lonely it can feel when you’re renovating or designing a new home.   You may feel self-conscious about people in your business, financially etc.  You feel like you have no one to bitch to because, maybe your sister can’t afford the renovation you’re doing, or your friend doesn’t think you’re doing as good a job and you feel bad when you tell her your $400 light doesn’t come in on time and you just want to cry like a little kid who’s had a toy taken away. WAAAAAAAA!

I get those feelings!!!

You are totally justified and there are places for that if you don’t have it locally.  There’s Pinterest for ideas, follow me! Facebook groups (I’m in ‘remodeling this’, ‘kitchens and that…) Or a friend that understands and that has been through it and can be helpful. 

• Find someone to talk to you, bounce ideas around with.  The best plans come together when my clients and I are just playing with options and getting feedback.

Designers work in all different ways.  If hiring one seems daunting or not in the budget, Think again!  I am often hired for 2-3 hours, that’s it. 

In that time, a good (in my case, exceptional) designer will save you thousands, improve your design and make you feel better. 

One change order, one mistake, averages $5000.  That’s quite a bit of design time!

And when you’re knee deep in sawdust cereal, remember that we have built houses, yurts, caves to live in for thousands of years and you will survive!  This isn’t brain surgery, rocket science, or curing cancer. 

It’s building a house. It's picking a countertop.  No one‘s gonna die over your choices, pick what you like, that works for your family and enjoy. 

Pretty soon you’ll be sitting at your new counter with a cup of tea in hand, smiling, not even remembering this conversation.

Best,

Liz