“On time and under budget!” said no one ever of the building/remodeling process. The holidays are already a stressful time of year, shopping, wrapping, baking, volunteering, add in a remodel and it can become downright overwhelming. Unforeseen delays can quickly dash your dreams of dishing up the holiday magic in your newly remodeled home. If you find yourself in the middle of a remodel that seems to be dragging on as the holidays rapidly approach here are a few tips to survive the season and retain your sanity.
1.) Keep Your Cool. You may have done all the proper planning months in advance so your project would be complete in time for Thanksgiving, yet that has come and gone and here you are. If only your contractor would’ve done (fill in the blank) this would be done by now! Why I oughtta give him a piece of my mind!!! I assure you, your contractor wants your job to be complete just as badly as you do. However, a good contractor will never sacrifice the quality of their work just to hit a deadline. Taking your frustrations out on your contractor is not a good idea. Unforeseen problems are frequent in the remodel business and often slow progress. You’ve hired someone to do the job and you want to ensure it is done right, cut them some slack and let them do their thing.
2.) Be Realistic. Instead of visions of sugar plumbs dancing in your head, you have visions of a Pinterest and Houzz -worthy home. But as you look around, you realize the trim mouldings haven’t been installed and the window dressings can’t be hung, the light fixtures are still in boxes! Christmas will surely be ruined! Stop, calm down and assess the situation for what it is. How much work is remaining to be completed and how much time is there to complete it? Sit down with your contractor and run through the punch list. If it is clear, that the project won’t be wrapped up see if you can establish a new timeline to wrap up construction. Target finishing up the most important items first and forego the finishing touches. If you’re working on a kitchen remodel, can the cabinets and countertops be set? Will the oven/cooktop be functional? So, you may have to live without the crown moulding for Christmas, at least the food will be hot and you’ll have a functional prep space.
3.) Hold Off On the Decorating. Remodeling can be dirty business. Fine dust particles seem to escape even the best cordoned off areas. Hold off on putting up the tree and decking the halls until the project is either complete, or you and your contractor reach a mutual pause date. When establishing the new timeline with your contractor, give yourself enough time to do clean up and reposition furniture or appliances so you have a functional space. You may want to skimp on the decorating since your contractor will want to wrap up the project in the near future. Be prepared to take down your decorations promptly so the project can resume without further interruption or new obstacles in the way.
4.) Remember the Reason for the Season. It is majorly disappointing that your project isn’t going to be done as you originally thought. However, the holidays are a time for families to gather and enjoy laughs and time together. It isn’t about crown moulding, light fixtures or backsplashes. Perhaps, the Grinch said it best, “Maybe Christmas,” he thought “doesn’t come from a store. “Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more.”
