For the last 15 days, as I walk into the showroom, I am greeted by a myriad of noises. Loud, banging, sounds of drilling into concrete and the occasional yell from one contractor to the other. Despite the fact we have an absolutely incredible crew, that works hard and does a fantastic job, the process is still, quite daunting.
Today, as I fought through a maze of misplaced, plastic covered furniture, covered in drywall dust, to attempt to find a quiet place to write, my sympathies grew for my clients navigating their own renovations at home.
We all know that construction is a disruption. We expect it, but, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. As design professionals, we have guided countless people through this process, yet somehow, when we are in the middle of it ourselves….there are days that we want to pull our hair out.
So today’s guide, that we share with our clients, serves as a friendly reminder to ourselves!
5 Steps to Living through a Renovation
You’ve found reliable, trustworthy, insured contractors, you’ve planned for weeks, if not months, carefully making selections that fit your look and your budget. You finally write a big check to get it all going, and then, you wait! You are excited, but nervous, and you don’t know what to expect. I’m going to let you in on a little secret, no one does! Absolutely every job is different, no matter what. I have literally never had a job go through to the end without something unexpected happening. This leads me to:
#1) Make a plan but stay flexible.
This is the number one reason to hire a good interior designer. We have seen, and experienced almost anything that could go “wrong” and we will have solutions, or work like crazy to “fix it” and get the project back on track. However, staying flexible and trusting your designer and contractor is key! Things happen and you have to be willing to pivot and make a change if need be. If you get overly fixated on something you can end up unnecessarily devastated. It’s rarely one thing that makes a room. Great spaces are about an overall design. Think big picture!
#2) Plan for dust.
It is inevitable and despite all the efforts that your contractors take, you will have to make regular cleaning a dusting a priority through the whole process. Plan for it and accept it.
#3) Keep up on communication
Maintaining good communication with everyone is key to making sure things go smoothly. Ask questions, talk through concerns, discuss timelines and schedules, and communicate regularly with everyone involved. Don’t be afraid to be honest if you don’t like something and speak up if you aren’t sure what’s going on. If something seems off or not right, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to share your opinions or concerns. Honest and kind communication always wins! Which leads me to my next!
#4) Be kind to your contractors.
There is a big difference between a homeowner who communicates concerns and asks questions, in attempt to understand, and find solutions, verses a homeowner who hovers and picks apart someone’s work or tries to micromanage every detail of the project. You should feel confidant in the plan you signed off on and the craftsman you hired to do it. Trusting the people you hire puts everyone at ease, and creates an environment for people to do their best.
However, we’re all human and mistakes can happen. It’s my experience that the clients who show grace and understanding in those situations are met with a crew who go the extra mile not only to remedy THAT error, but also in other areas of the job as well.
Also, a little kindness goes a long way. Bringing in some coffee and donuts one morning, when the whole crew is there, or grabbing lunch one day during the project, never hurts. No crew ever expects it, but I’ve seen that perk up a jobsite in a heartbeat and help the team work harder the rest of the day. Not required of course, but never a bad idea.
#5) Breath, Have Patience and Keep your Eye on the Prize
Do some yoga, go to a friend’s house for the night, and just keep looking at your vision boards! Celebrate the changes and progress you are seeing.
It’s easy to lose your head, when you are in the thick of it, but when you think about the finished product and remember why you chose to do this project, in the first place, it helps you keep your cool. It will all be worth it in the end. Great things take time.