Stress is a common factor when dealing with a home renovation. If you’re a first-time homebuyer working on your dream home, it’s overwhelming. If you’re someone who has been through the renovation process more than once, it’s still overwhelming but you have a better grasp on what causes the most stress and how to handle it. Before beginning a new remodeling project at home or work, it’s helpful to understand what increases stress and anxiety in this already stressful situation and how you can avoid it.

Getting Started is Stressful

Getting started is often the most difficult part, and it can cause serious stress. To reduce stress during this process, get your ducks in a row before you begin. Create the budget, create the game plan, set a time limit, and establish the details in advance. The more you have together before you get started, the easier it is to get going with the process.

Not Knowing the End Date is Stressful

You cannot predict how long it will take to complete a remodel project. The best you can do is estimate a finish date, but you need to understand in advance it’s never going to happen. Things go wrong, shipments are late, things are done incorrectly, and you never know what you might find when you begin work. Go into this project understanding it will take time.

Working Within A Tight Budget is Stressful

A tight budget doesn’t make the project impossible, but it does make it more stressful. Know what you’re working with in advance, and know where you want to spend your money. If you know what’s most important to you and how you can save in other areas, it makes the process simpler. Go into this with a budget, and don’t deviate.

Doing the Work Yourself is Stressful

If you’re good at remodel work, do it yourself. If you’re good at certain things and not others, admit this to yourself and hire someone to do the work you’re not capable of doing on your own. For example, if you’re a carpenter, do this work yourself. If you aren’t comfortable with plumbing, hire someone else. Know the stress of doing it yourself when you’re not familiar with things is too much.

Not Discussing Your Wants, Needs, and Expectations in Advance is Stressful

Before you begin a remodel project, talk about your expectations and what you want. Don’t go into this situation with any miscommunication to ensure it’s a seamless process. Discuss this with your spouse, with the contractor working on your home, and with his crew. When everyone is on the same page, things go smoother and more easily throughout the process.

Not Understanding How Multiple Changes May Occur

Remodeling projects sometimes require a few changes throughout, but don’t make too many. Each time you make changes to the plan, you push the end date back even further. You change the budget, the plan, and everyone’s schedule. Know that you might need to make some changes, but don’t go into this project knowing you’re probably going to make a lot of changes as you go because you’re not happy with the plan.

Photo by Alair Homes Maple RidgeLook for dining room pictures


Remodeling a home is difficult enough, so don’t make it more difficult. You have the power to make this situation easier and more enjoyable if you know what to expect. Going into it with a good attitude and working with Alair Homes Maple Ridge can change the course of the plan, and it can make the situation less stressful.