How to Have a Stress-Free Renovation

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2018. UPDATED JULY 22, 2021

Looking for a stress-free renovation?

Are you planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation in the next 6–12 months and just don't know where to start? Are you feeling stressed about all of the options and decisions that need to be made? Now take a deep breath, because we can help!

About 7 years ago, we realized that renovations were very stressful for clients because, in most cases, they just didn't have enough information going into the process. Clients were often unrealistic about time lines and costs. When you're expecting a bathroom gut and re-do to take 1 week and 3 weeks later it's finally done, it can increase the stress rate exponentially!

About those expectations

We had one client who set a $3000 budget for installing a 3-piece bathroom from scratch in her 3rd-floor loft. She also assumed it could be completed within two weeks. This was extremely unrealistic and caused her a lot of stress when she learned this was a 4-5 week project and would cost around $18,000–$25,000.

Ask questions

There are many sources where you can ask the right questions so you don’t go into a renovation blind. Think about what your renovation will include. For example, if you’re planning a bathroom renovation, you will likely need a bathtub or shower, tiles, a vanity, and a toilet. Go to stores that sell these products and start asking questions. Ask about the different types of bathtubs that are available today (alcove vs. free-standing). Ask about the different types of toilets. You will see toilets from $99 up to $1000 and beyond. What’s the difference between them, and is the additional money worth it? For more information on selecting the right fixtures, read our blog post, Our Top Picks for Bathroom Fixtures.

Often, the stores where you will buy the fixtures for your projects will be able to guide you on the right size of fixtures or provide you with information to have a successful renovation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! The more educated you are, the smoother your renovation!

Hire the contractor before you buy the fixtures

Unless you’re planning a DIY project, make sure you connect with potential contractors early on in the planning process. I can’t stress enough that you need to hire a contractor BEFORE you start purchasing your fixtures.

There have been many times when we’ve been called in to provide a quote for a bathroom renovation, and we walk in the house and see the toilet, vanity, and tub sitting in the living room waiting to be installed. Of course, the clients are anxious to get the quote tomorrow and start the project the next day. That leads to anxiety and impatience when you find the perfect contractor. You’re ready to get started, and they are booked up for the next 2 months! You end up either finding a different contractor (and if they're able to start right away, then they’re probably not the 'right' contractor) or getting more and more impatient as you wait. Hire a contractor, get a start date, and then buy your fixtures with a delivery date a few days prior to your start date.

Should you DIY?

One of the unique things about Multi Trade Building Services is that we are willing to work with clients who want to do some of the work themselves. Many homeowners are capable of demolition, drywall installation, painting, and more. We’re happy to come in and just do the tasks that you can’t.

However, one of the problems we often see is that clients try to take on too much or undertake tasks that they just aren’t skilled at. This can result in an even bigger mess that will cost you more to fix than if you had hired the contractor to do the work in the first place.

The key to a good DIY relationship with your contractor is to recognize what you’re good at and hire the experts for the rest!

Self care

Self-care during a renovation is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to ensure the renovation remains stress-free. As much as you plan and prepare, renovations will still have an element of stress. Will it turn out the way I want? Did I pick the right colour of paint? Do those tiles really match the grout?

The best way to deal with the anxieties of renovations is to treat yourself. Get a massage or take a night out for a movie and dinner. After the contractor has left for the day, light some candles and put on some soft music. Meditate to relax and maximize your sleep. Go to bed a little earlier than usual to ensure you wake up refreshed.

Another important piece of advice I give is to not stress about your renovation outside of working hours. I recently received a text message from a client who was panicking at 10 p.m. about the layout of her bathroom. Her renovation wasn’t even scheduled to start for over a month!

First, it was inappropriate to text me that late at night. Second, there was nothing that could be done about making a change to her layout at that time of the night. All she did was upset herself and me! If you think about something that concerns you or you want changed about your renovation, either write it down and call your contractor in the morning or send them an email. This allows your question to be dealt with at an appropriate time. A cranky contractor will not make the renovation run smoother!

Communication is key!

One of the best ways to ensure a stress-free renovation is to communicate clearly and often with your contractor. If you like to sleep in until 8 a.m. and won’t be ready to accept workers until 9 a.m., then tell your contractor that. Most will be willing to accommodate a flexible start time that’s reasonable. However, make sure you are flexible too. If their normal start time is 7 a.m. and you’re asking them to start at 9 a.m., then be willing to let them stay until 5 p.m.

If you have a really strict budget, make sure your contractor knows what your top number is. It’s not uncommon for clients to ask for additional items when we are on site. "Can we add another pot light there?" "I’ve decided I want to put in a tiled backsplash at my vanity." "How much more will it cost for a quartz countertop?" If your contractor knows your budget, it will save a lot of time when extras are asked for. If a quartz countertop is going to add another $3000 and you’re already almost at the top of your budget, there may be no need to get a price on that new countertop.

Flexibility

There will be issues along the way with any renovation. Whether it’s a backordered fixture, materials that didn’t arrive on the truck, a worker who calls in sick, or tasks that just take longer than expected, there will be delays and things that happen outside of the control of the contractor. Be prepared for that and be flexible. A rigid timeline and unrealistic expectations will only cause anxiety for everyone.

If you’re at home when the contractor is working on your renovation, there will be an urge to constantly check in on things and watch over them. Check in once or twice, but then leave the workers to do their job.

Think about it. When you’re at your job, how do you feel when the boss is standing over you, watching you work? It can be quite intimidating, and you can lose focus. You have every right to check in every once in a while, but don’t hover.

We can help!

Spending some time with our client, who only had a $3000 budget for her bathroom renovation, made a big difference in the outcome of her renovation. We educated her on the process, which helped dramatically ease her stress and help her understand the project's timeline and cost. This made us realize that there was a strong need to educate the public about the renovation process. Check out our Resources Page for lots of valuable information about renovations.