Here are a few things that I’ve learned from my recent  “in progress” remodel.

So I know I should’ve learned my lesson last year when I remodeled my kitchen and my bathrooms and had a new floor put in while my husband was away at the FBI Academy. Things DID NOT run smoothly. Like the attic fire we had, or the mold we found. Let’s not forget the shower leak or the chain smoking workers. And those are just a few of the things that didn’t go smoothly.

Thank goodness my downstairs remodel hasn’t been as dramatic. We did find after taking out the plastic shower stall that there was a pipe in a strange place so we have to get really creative with tile. So that quick job turned into a more extensive project. 🤦🏻‍♀️

We changed the floor downstairs, had built-in cabinets made, and this week we’re painting. I was told that it would be about three weeks…SIX weeks later we’re about to paint, which is wonderful, but we haven’t even started the shower. Oh dear. But you know what? I’m smarter this time around. I feel I’ve managed my expectations very well.

On that note, here are some tips to stay sane during YOUR remodel.

1. Most importantly – KNOW that it will take longer than what you are told.
2. Be prepared for the unexpected. Like pipes in the wrong place, or mold behind an old kitchen sink, or faulty wires. If you’re demolishing things, you never know what you’re going to get, especially in an old home. Have a plan B.
3. Be prepared for a lot of dust that seems to never go away. And that shows up months later LOL.
4. Never pay for everything upfront and get everything in writing.
5. You will always go over budget.
6. Know what you want before starting the project. Have a vision.
7. It usually is never a good idea to hire a friend to do the work. There are exceptions.
8. Ask for references and/or pictures of their work.
9. Don’t forget if you have pets that they need to be taken care of as well. The noise ,the dust and all the people in your house  will affect them.
10. BREATHE – the final product will be amazing!

Remodeling is an addiction – once you do one thing you want to move on to the next so be ready!

-Sharyn

It takes three times as long to finish and that it’s ok to make coffee in the same room where you go 💩.

-Holly

Don’t settle for their mistakes if they can be fixed. You are paying lots of money and sometimes they try to use shortcuts. If you aren’t okay with the results of the shortcut, make them accountable for fixing it – and don’t feel bad.

-Jocelyn

Set a small budget aside for incidentals that are unplanned! Ha!

-Rachel