Wow, week 5! When I signed up for this challenge I envisioned being a lot further along with this project at this point. In fact, the project was scheduled to have been professionally shot today. Nothing about this project has gone as planned. It's been a total dead zone for the past three weeks. The tile delivery was delayed, the damn dam-less shower decision ate up a few days, our tile guys were delayed on another job causing their start date to be delayed.... The list goes on! But that's a reno project for you! As much as you try to control the timeline there is always something that is not on schedule. Thankfully the ORC gave us a few additional days that I will definitely be taking advantage of.
Let's talk about living through a reno and 10 tips to make living through it less stressful. Living through a reno can be TOUGH, there is no doubt about it. I never realized how much we actually used this bathroom until we tore it out. When you are doing small scale renovations living through the project can save you money. Obviously, the ideal situation would be the have a rental or somewhere else to stay but that isn't the reality for most and that is ok.
1. Create a Budget - Set your budget ahead of time but be realistic. Decide what you can do yourself and what you want to sub out. Price out all of your materials. Add an additional 20% for unforeseen challenges. Trust me, there is always something!
2. Obtain Quotes and Bids Before You Start - In order for your project to run smoothly you will want to make sure you have all of your contractors and tradesmen lined up. Double check their availabilities align with your timeline.
3. Have All of Your Materials On Hand - Make sure you have all of your materials before you begin.
4. Create a Schedule - Sit down with your contractors and tradesmen and create a schedule. Make sure everyone gets a copy of the schedule so they know the timelines and who is doing what. While you can't control everything this makes a huge difference. Build in additional time for unforeseen delays ahead of time to keep the stress at bay.
5. Ask Questions - If something doesn't look right or is off, ask! Trust your gut - it's usually right. A lot of times when you are designing or doing something outside of the box, the contractors will question you or make mistakes. Keep in mind they are generally working for the masses and not doing one of a kind installs. If you keep the line of communication open they are usually very appreciative as well. Address concerns as they come up.
6. Designate an Alternative Space - Depending on what space you are renovating it is key to have an alternate space that serves the same function. For example, if you are renovating a bathroom and it is your only bathroom in the house, you are going to need an alternative. And no, just because you think peeing in the yard for a day will work, it won't because remember the more important part of a reno: nothing goes as planned! So you will want to make sure you have an alternate space somewhere in your home that serves the same purpose.
7. Create a Safe Space - You want to prepare for constant noise and interruptions. If you work from home (or even if you don't) you are going to want to make sure you designate a quite space where you can have minimal interruptions and still complete your conference calls or just get some peace and quite.
8. Get Ready for the Dust - It doesn't matter what you do to try and prevent dust, it's inevitable. Protect your existing furniture by covering with plastic on days that there is going to be demo.
9. Clean as you Go - This will make all of the difference. If you can keep the "jobsite" clean, it will minimize the dust and dirt that is tracked through other parts of your home.
10. Breathe - I could certainly do a better job at number 10!
We still have a ton to do over here but once the tile and the marble is finished we are in the home stretch!! And fingers crossed because it's going to be a mad dash to the finish.
Let's take a look at our still very lengthy to-do list (items in red are completed and items in italics are new items from this week):
- Gut the entire bathroom
- Schedule and complete the hot mop
- Move the plumbing in the shower
- Install the dam
- Move the shower drain
- Move the electrical
- Install new electrical
- Schedule and complete the drywall repair
- Install the vanity
- Schedule and complete the templating for the vanity top
- Remove the door trim
- Prep the shower/mud set
- Lay the shower tile
- Grout the tile
- Schedule measurements for the shower enclosure
- Order the shower enclosure
- Install the new shower enclosure
- Install the toilet
- Install the fixtures
- Install the baseboards
- Re-install the door trim
- Crown Moulding - removing this item we may do it later
- Paint the walls
- Paint the hallway
- Paint the hallway trim and baseboards
- Paint the door
- Paint the trim
- Change the door hardware
- Change the door hinges
- Hang Mirror
- Hang the lights
- Hang the art
- Style
- Photograph
Don't forget to check out the other Fall ORC participants here!