During a renovation, you’re bound to have a lot of disagreements with the contractor (and maybe your spouse). That’s normal. But there are certain things you can do to minimize the level of disagreement – and possibly even prevent breakups (trust me, it happens). I’m going to share 4 tips that could help you and your partner create a harmonious relationship as well as a beautiful home.
While doing a renovation job we also recommend checking the state of your kitchen appliances and consulting with an appliance repair company in Winnipeg if needed.
1. Talk to your partner early and often
If you’re in a relationship and planning to renovate your home, there’s no doubt you’ll be stressed. The building process can be a nightmare — the work is noisy, messy, and disruptive; contractors come and go; there’s always something that needs to be done. So it’s not surprising that many couples find that their fights get worse when they’re embarking on a renovation project.
If you don’t want your relationship to suffer as a result of your renovations, here are some tips for preventing a breakup during your home remodel:
Talk to Your Partner Early and Often
The best way to avoid making long-term decisions about your home without taking into consideration how it will affect both of you is by talking things over before you make any decisions or start the project. You should each have an opportunity to express what you want from the renovations, and from the life you live in your home.
When we renovated our home, my husband and I talked about everything from how we would use our new kitchen (an eat-in space for us versus separate dining room for entertaining) to where we should put our new bathroom (his idea was a second floor bathroom with a glass shower that overlooked the backyard).
2. Bring them into the renovation process
It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and excitement of renovating your home with ideas, thoughts, and plans swirling around. But it’s important to involve your partner in the process as well. Ask their opinion on colours, finishes and furniture, to ensure that you’re both happy with the final look and feel of the space. In addition, be sure to share any frustrations you have with contractors or tradespeople too so that you can work through them together.
Creating a vision board is a fun way for both of you to bond and plan your renovation together. The goal is to create a mood board that demonstrates exactly how your dream space will look once it’s finished. You can then use this as a reference point when communicating with designers, builders, and contractors.
3. Try to keep the stress out of the relationship
You’re going to experience stress during any project. It’s just part of the process. But don’t take it out on each other. If you need to vent and blow off steam, do it with a friend or your contractor instead of your partner. There’s no point in avoiding fights over minor things (like whether you should use polished nickel knobs or brushed nickel knobs) if you’re going to end up having bigger fights about major things (like whether it’s time to call it quits).
4. Work on the budget together
Work on the budget together. Budgeting is a great way to get on the same page with your partner and make sure you’re both getting what you want out of the renovation. Plus, it will help protect you from making financial decisions that could later cause friction in your relationship.
If you aren’t sure where to start, many home improvement stores have online tools to help you set and stick to a budget for your renovation. You can also work with an interior designer or architect to create a realistic budget for your project. If possible, try to build in some extra money for unexpected issues, like when something breaks or needs replacement during the renovation.
Remember that home renovations aren’t only about achieving aesthetic goals; they’re also about improving your home’s functionality and protecting its value, exactly like when you’re getting your fridge repaired, or when you’re installing a new deck. So if you’re planning to sell at some point in the future, keep potential buyers in mind as you make decisions about your renovations.
