How Long Should My Renovation Take?
HGTV renovation shows have led us to believe that an entire home renovation can be done within a few short weeks. THIS COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!
⚠️ WARNING, WARNING, WARNING! ⚠️ This is a TV show, not real life!
I, myself, have fallen for this notion, and it is the worst mindset to bring into a renovation. You start with the expectation that your house will transform into a thing of beauty in just a few short weeks, and when you’re still staring at unpainted drywall and an unfinished kitchen—then what? You get frustrated! You think, "My expectations aren’t being met! We should be finished by now! This should be quicker!"
These are all thoughts I’ve had, and they often triggered arguments between David and me. When we started renovating, I was very green and very naïve. Over time, I learned that renovations take MUCH longer than expected, and you should ALWAYS add extra time when tackling an older home. Older homes are notorious for hidden issues, including but not limited to:
Rotten subfloors from leaks
Foundation issues
Termite damage
Mold or mildew
Improper past repairs leading to framing issues
Old knob-and-tube wiring
Outdated plumbing lines
...and the list goes on!
Not every old house will have these issues. Some homes have been meticulously maintained by previous owners and won’t require much extra attention. However, once you start opening up walls, you also open yourself up to the possibility of uncovering additional problems that need fixing.
The good news? You’ll end up with a very safe and sound home.
The downside? It takes extra time and money to address these problems.
Every renovation, big or small, takes time and money. The newer the home, the more likely the renovation will be completed quickly. However, even simple updates can be time-consuming. Quick cosmetic updates are the fastest, but once you start moving or opening walls, you’ll add significant time to your project. These tasks often require permits and inspections from your city or town, adding additional weeks for approvals or adjustments.
For example:
Refinishing floors can take a week or two.
Installing and finishing drywall, including mudding and sanding, can also take a week or two.
While waiting for these steps can feel painstaking, I promise it is worth the WAIT!
So remember: you can’t blink and have your renovation done. Living through a renovation is not the same as watching HGTV. 😊
With love, Home Made
How long did your last renovation take? We’d love to hear your stories!