BJ Massa, Curator for The Turquoise Iris Journal, recently completed a bathroom renovation. Enjoy the before and after photos and BJ’s lighthearted approach to surviving your next home renovation project.
How to Survive a Home Renovation – The Approach We All Want to Take
We recently had our primary bathroom remodeled which makes me, of course, an expert on living through home renovation. The process is intrusive, messy, and inconvenient. Here are my tips on making the remodel experience as pleasant as possible. Stay until the end to see the before and after photos!
Tip #1: Don’t Have a Budget
Budgets are overrated. How are you supposed to get all the things you want when everything is so expensive? We had a budget and I didn’t like it. Besides, everyone goes over budget anyway so save yourself the disappointment and frustration and just don’t have one.
Tip #2: Don’t Have a Timeline
Your project will get done when your contractor gets it done. You have a meticulous tile guy who, while amazingly competent, works at his own pace? Deal with it. The toilet you ordered arrived at the warehouse broken? Deal with it. You thought your remodel would take two to three weeks. That’s cute.
Tip #3: Take a Vacation
In hindsight, our best course of action would have been to give our keys to the contractor while we jetted off to Europe for a month or two. We didn’t need to be here. Just make sure your contractor has an iPhone so he can FaceTime you with questions. Bonus if you can find a contractor who will also water your plants while you’re gone. Double bonus if your contractor can also take care of your pets and/or your kids.
Tip #4: Send Your Spouse on Vacation
I recognize not everyone is in a position to jet off to Europe with their spouse while your remodel is underway. But… at the very least…do yourself a favor and send your spouse away. This is a must. The spouse who complains about the dust, the noise, and the invasion of privacy will steal your joy about the outcome of the project faster than a hungry puppy stealing a plate of bacon off the table. Send them away only to return when the project is completed. You can thank me later.
We have more home improvement projects to tackle in the future. I’m looking forward to implementing some of these tips to save my sanity and possibly my marriage.
BJ Massa is not really a home improvement expert but she did just recently complete a bathroom remodel. She did not jet off to Europe during the renovation and did have a budget. She is happily married but would consider building a vacation for her spouse into the budget for the next remodel. BJ tackles most things with a sense of humor and a good dose of sarcasm. You can find ideas and inspiration for your next remodel or furniture project on BJ’s Pinterest boards https://www.pinterest.com/junkdup/
Home Renovation Before and After:
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