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Expectations and stress in renovation and new construction - Perfekt Projekt
Renovating or building is more mentally demanding than many people think. Of course, there are many different factors that combine to create a successful renovation, but the mental part is an important piece of the puzzle. Our goal is to guide our customers to a perfect project, where you realize your dream! With the attitude that life is the journey and not the destination, we want to make the whole process more enjoyable for you. With the right expectations, it can be easier to manage the renovation process and maybe even manage to prevent some of the most common challenges. Here, we take a closer look at the emotional part of a renovation, to share our experiences.
No matter how structured you are, renovation is bound to be stressful. Even a relatively simple bathroom or kitchen renovation can be mentally demanding. With major renovations, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in a situation that you might not have gotten into if you knew from the start what it would lead to. Debt, broken marriages and burnout are all unfortunate consequences of a renovation. When you’re in the middle of the situation, it can leave you feeling hopeless and it can be difficult to talk about it. In the worst case, the place is so negatively charged with emotions that you may not even want to live there once the construction is finished.
Few renovation projects stay on budget and on time
If you follow programs like House Dreams or Grand Designs, you know that very few renovation projects and new builds are on budget or on time. Why is this the case? Over the years of working with renovations, we’ve noticed that many clients don’t really realize what they’ve gotten themselves into. Time estimates are often based on what you think is reasonable and are not always agreed with tradesmen. The budget may be based on how much money is in the account rather than a well thought-out budget. A real classic is when everything coincides at the same time. Children, a house, a dog, a career – everything has to happen at the same time. No wonder it’s hard to get your life together if you throw a renovation into the mix.
Right expectations are key
Renovation can be an emotional roller coaster. At the beginning of the process, there are often big visions and expectations. But as the renovation progresses, you can become both decision-weary and exhausted, especially if you’ve decided to do a lot of the work and project management yourself. Construction and renovations are complicated, and if you’re not aware of what you’re getting into, you may be in for a bit of a shock during the renovation. And once the project is underway, it’s hard to back out. An important key to successful renovations is to manage expectations before the project starts.
Tips on the different parts of the renovation process
Here we share what you can expect and what you need to think about and decide on before and during a renovation or construction process. We also share our best tips for each of these elements. In the best case, we might be able to make you rethink some decisions for your own health.
If you have any concerns about expectations, stress or the mental aspect of the renovation process, pleaseo ask us!
Budget
For most people, money is the main tool for achieving their dream home. For many, it is also the biggest stress factor. When cost item after cost item goes over budget, it can feel hopeless. Based on the countless renovations we have completed and also hundreds of episodes of Grand Design and House Dreams, the conclusion is that the budget is often set something like this:
“We have X amount of money to set aside, which is a lot, so it must be enough, right?”
A well thought-out budget is essential for a successful renovation without money stress. But surprisingly few people take the time to create a realistic and detailed budget. Instead, many start from an architect’s drawing with a few renderings and a façade drawing, without knowing the exact materials to be used. Quotations are then obtained from construction companies for the major elements, with many small items being missed. Some don’t even get quotes from several construction companies, thinking “X number of millions is a lot of money, so it must be enough? Let’s do it!” Construction companies, in turn, often price on the basis of guesses and estimates, as they do not know the exact workmanship.
In our experience, many architects are more visionary and creative, and fail to consider whether the design is feasible within your budget. This can lead to your vision not being fully realized in the end, as the consequences are that you have to opt out of things and/or go over budget, which can cause both stress and disappointment. We see this as a failure, our approach is to be realistic, and for our projects to be feasible for our clients.
Some architects actually offer detailed drawings, but many clients turn them down, because it is a much bigger cost than designing the house itself. Electrical drawings with lighting design are very time consuming if you want to deliver at a high level. Fixed furnishings require a lot of knowledge, as do loose furnishings such as sofas, carpets and curtains. These are separate areas of knowledge and few people are good at everything.
Some people think they will save on costs by doing some of the renovation work themselves or enlisting the help of family or friends – a decision that many actually regret afterwards. Instead, hiring a professional often saves time and energy in the end and leads to a better end result.
Our top tips on budgeting
Hire an architect and interior designer, or a larger agency that covers several areas of expertise. Another option is to work with a turnkey contractor who has a holistic and design approach. They will help you put all the pieces together. Then it is a good idea to find a company that works with bespoke solutions and can provide design expertise at the planning stage, which can save on architectural costs.
Set aside between 5-30% in the budget for unforeseen costs. The amount depends on experience and complexity. If you have an inexperienced builder and a complex build, you may need as much as 30% for contingencies. We usually budget for 10% contingency in our projects.
Good planning and visualization will cost you more up front, but you’ll recoup that cost by avoiding changes and additions. Knowing what you’re building and the exact materials to be used also gives you a more accurate cost. It’s also much easier for a construction company to provide accurate quotes if they know all the details. Above all, good planning avoids changes and waiting for materials. Delays cost money.
What we can do to help
- By using realistic visualizations, you as a customer can get an understanding of what the materials look like before the house is built. We then compile accurate drawings and material lists. Finally, you as a customer can get quotes. In short, we create a detailed request for proposal before the renovation is started.
Timetable
Over the years, we have been surprised by how many schedules are actually unrealistic. Sometimes the schedule is not even agreed with the tradesmen who will carry out the work. Sometimes the craftsmen give a ‘best guess’ because the client doesn’t know exactly what needs to be done and how.
Our top tips on timelines
- Find a contractor who takes overall responsibility – time planning is an art in itself and requires experience.
Draw up a tradesman’s contract stating the number of weeks required to carry out the work.
What Stiligt can help with
- If you as a customer are to be the project manager, we have templates for schedules that you can use to develop a schedule together with the craftsmen.
Accommodation
Some stay in their home during a renovation, some move in with friends and family. Others settle in a caravan. Parents-in-law and partners are quickly reminded that while they love each other, they may be better off at a distance.
Our top tips on accommodation
- We advise all clients carrying out a major renovation to budget for temporary accommodation. Living on site is very stressful, much like sleeping on the job. You can never really switch off. Check from the start if you can extend your contract if you need more time. Few things are worse than the feeling of possibly becoming homeless.
- Living close to the construction site is a big advantage, especially if you, as the client, have taken on a project management role yourself.
Ratio
Most people have heard the expression “if you’re still together after a renovation, you can handle anything”. While many of the reasons why a renovation can put a strain on a relationship are quite obvious, there are also some aspects that are not always so clear.
Something that can become very apparent along the way is that the parties have completely different goals for a renovation. While one party is passionate about design, the other may care more about function. One party may love to build, while the other just wants to live comfortably. It could also be that both parties are equally committed and interested but have different tastes and preferences, which can be stressful and create friction if both want to be in charge.
If one party is interested in the process and involved in every detail, it can create the feeling that the other party is completely disinterested, which can also create irritation and friction. One of the parties may feel that the renovation is taking over their lives and is not worth the effort.
So how do you take care of your relationship during a renovation process?
Our top tips on relationships
- Take the time to sit down and discuss expectations and goals BEFORE the project starts. Do we have similar expectations and goals? What do we do when we think and feel differently? Through communication and active listening, you can find a way to respect each other and build a common approach to decision-making. This will increase the chances of avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
- Create clear responsibilities. Who is responsible for what? Can we have different areas to decide on as a mandate? What are our roles?
Sleep
A renovation process often leads to a lack of sleep. You’re like a zombie at work and have no energy or desire for social contact or socializing. It’s easy to prioritize sleep, but sleep is the foundation of our health and one of the most important things to prioritize in order to feel as good as possible during the process and, above all, to land “on the other side” of the renovation with both joy and energy.
Our top tips on sleep
- Remember that life goes on even during a renovation or a new build. Strive to find balance during the journey to your dream home and reach the finish line in good health.
Family and friends
Hobbies, exercise and leisure
The different stages of the renovation process - from idea to occupation
Of course, the renovation process differs from project to project, but it usually follows these different stages. Here’s what the different stages usually look like and what you can expect.
Idea – There are many different reasons for renovating or building. But once a decision has been made on the matter, a certain tension arises. Often related to children who are either about to ‘move in’ or who are going out to ‘try their own wings’.
The land/house/apartment – This process can last for years. Countless viewings and frustrating bidding rounds, where the dream house is sold far above the starting price. Thinking about whether to renovate an older house (and usually the one that young families can afford), buy a new one ready-built or buy a plot of land and start building your own can go on for a long time. What do we want, how much time do we have and what can we afford?
Architect/housing company – This can take a long time, sometimes months or even years.
Building permits/planning – With ever tougher rules in building control, dreams can quickly be shattered. It can be about neighbors who get a worse view or insight and who therefore appeal. Another classic is that you buy a condominium where you want to demolish walls and change the floor plan, but both fears and convenience in the association can sometimes put a stop to it. Or the plans may be stopped by the fact that it was not feasible in terms of construction.
Construction companies – Many people are aware that the construction company they hire can help or hinder the process. Here you search high and low between house manufacturers and turnkey construction in different companies. This can take months. You want time to compare quotes and try to understand what is included – and what is not.
Construction starts – The euphoria is total, things are finally happening!
Site work/demolition – Depending on the nature of the site/property, there can be a lot of surprises at this stage. Land works are rarely carried out at a fixed price. The demolition of old houses and apartments can quickly lead to expensive surprises.
Framing/wall building – This is an exciting part of the process that is often relatively painless and quick with today’s construction techniques. This is where you start to breathe the morning air and see yourself in the house.
Starting from scratch – If you haven’t had a clear plan from the start, it quickly becomes apparent at this stage. The flood of decisions that need to be made, preferably yesterday, washes over you. There are hundreds of points to be decided before you close the walls.
Closing walls – This is where you really start to see the end result. At this stage, any misplacements are also noticeable. If you have not been involved, it will be expensive to change.
Surface layers – Now everything visible should be in place. Floors, colors, kitchen and so on. There are still many decisions to be made. Here, many people realize how much energy the process has taken, and you feel how tired you are.
Moving in – Done or half done. Happy or exhausted or something in between….
The garden – Unfortunately, the bottom of the coffin is usually empty when it comes to the garden. If there is money left, it is usually fixed after the move.
