As part of our major home renovation story series, this is our final blog that follows the journey from “Dreaming of a home reno?”, “Planning your major home renovation", to the last leg “The building stage - completing your major home renovation”.
It seems so long ago when you looked at your home and decided that it needed an addition. Or you imagined an in-law suite in your basement. Maybe you dreamt of a Nordic spa escape in your ensuite bathroom. You nearly wore out your mouse pad when researching architectural and interior design websites. You’ve vetted and hired your contractors, ensured that you have all the right permits, and bought major home renovation insurance. You’ve dreamt it, planned it, now it’s time to build it.
Here are a few tips when the action starts
Prep your home: Be organized when clearing out the space that’s being renovated. Have a plan of where everything will be properly stored. A major renovation can be disruptive, and if you stay in the home over its duration, you don’t want to go through an obstacle course of poorly stored furnishings when you make your morning coffee. As well, you’ll want to make sure that your belongings are protected in the spaces that are not being renovated. Accidents happen. And you’ll want to be prepared if they do.
A place to stay: If your renovation requires you to find alternative living arrangements, try to find a place that minimizes the disruption to your life. Find something close to work, and especially close to home…just in case a contractor calls for any last minute on-the-job decisions. Plus, be prepared to extend your stay in case of any reno delay. Remember, if you stay with friends or family, the process can be equally stressful for them, so be sure to cover every Taco Tuesday and Friday pizza night.
A comms plan: Keep the lines of communication constantly open with your contractors. You’ll want to be able to reach them when you need them. More importantly, they’ll need to be able to reach you if something requires your immediate attention or decision.
Secure your stuff: During a reno, there will be lots of different people coming in and out of your home. That’s why everything of personal and financial value should be stored in very secure locations. You might even consider renting a safety deposit box at your bank for sensitive documents, jewellery, or your prized Wayne Gretzky rookie card.
Find your zen: According to Murphy’s Law, if something can go wrong, it will. Just ask anyone who’s completed a major home renovation. The stress, and subsequent poor reaction to it, can make a bad situation worse. Ultimately, you’re the captain of this reno ship. When you remain calm during those brief unexpected storms, your crew will follow suit. That’s why it’s important to have a stress management strategy in place for those unexpected delays and challenges.
The finish line
A major home reno can be quite the journey. It’ll definitely have its highs and lows. But when it’s completed, you’ll have a home that’s tailored to your desires – a home to create new memories for a lifetime.
