Renovating all, or any of the rooms in your apartment is a big step to take, and with a lot of money potentially on the line, comes a lot of stress, anxiety and worry.

While in the early stages of an apartment renovation, it can feel exciting and thinking about the end result, may ease any worries you might have initially had. However, a project can be both exciting and stress-inducing at the same time, and it’s important to recognize that a renovation can take you on a real rollercoaster in terms of your emotions.

If you’re embarking on an apartment renovation, here are some of the different stages of the project you will encounter, and some of the different emotions you may well experience:

In the pre-planning stage

You can expect to feel excited while discussing the project with your partner, family members, or friends, but you must ensure that you listen to all of their opinions if you’re to try and reduce any potential stress as the project gets underway.

Agreeing on the projects limitations, budget, and flexibility before engaging with a renovation contractor, is essential, as poor communication, conflicts in opinions, and disagreements over budget, are all stressors that can quickly plot to turn your project into a nightmare.

At the beginning

The more you discuss what your renovation will look like when its complete, the more excited you may feel, especially when you start searching for a general contractor to help you turn your vision into reality. When you find one you think you can work with, they may share some of their own ideas with you too, making things even more exciting.

When signing the contract

All initial excitement might dissipate somewhat when the contractor comes back to you with their quote. Even if it’s a fair price for the work they’ll carry out and materials they’ll have to buy, seeing the final estimated figure in black and white, can have quite an emotional impact, no matter how well prepared you think you are. That said, once the contract has been agreed and signed, you may feel a sense of relief that the project can finally go ahead, and that you’ll soon be able to enjoy your newly renovated apartment.

As construction gets underway

Once the real work begins, there will be no turning back, and frustration may set in as strangers plod through your home, clanking and generally making a mess. Not being able to access every room in the apartment may be a hindrance, and some dirt and dust may inadvertently be spread throughout the apartment.

Many find it helpful to try and stick to their usual routine as much as they possibly can during the construction phase of a renovation, but some annoyance and inconvenience is to be expected.

As the project goes on

Most renovation projects can’t be finished quickly enough for the homeowner, but rarely do they take less time than expected; often, they take longer, especially if there are issues with the supply chain, or other unexpected problems have arisen. While this can be stressful, patience is almost certainly a virtue in such instances, and trying to remain focused on the end result and thinking about how happy it will make you feel when it’s all finished, can help you get through the tough wait.

The end!

At this point, provided you’ve chosen your general contractor wisely, you should be thrilled with your new renovation, and raring to get on and enjoy it! Hopefully, all of the stress and anxiety that may have accompanied the different phases of the project, were worth it, they usually are.

Entering into an apartment renovation with clear expectations as to how you might feel at different phases of the project, is the best way to maintain your sanity, and get the end result you dreamed of.  

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