Doing major renovations at once

So how stressful is it?

We have some money saved up and decided that we want to do some major upgrades to our home.

New siding, roof, windows, moving front door, building a front porch with roof (I think this requires permits from the town), new kitchen and knocking out some walls.

DH is overseeing most of the work himself or using contractor friends.

I know it will be worth it in the end but............. stressed thinking of it already.

He wants to start in the next couple of months.

We could stay at my ILs if needed.

Any advice for me? I know to always plan for everything to last longer than anticipate and expect to run into some kind of big issue.

Re: Doing major renovations at once

MY advice to you would be to try and use the least amount of contractors as possible... Is it all one company doing the work? If not, just make sure that one hand knows what the other is doing to eliminate some of the scheduling issues and what not...

Good luck....


POST PICS when you're done!!

Re: Doing major renovations at once

Well DH is a contractor so it's going to be he and some of his guys and two other companies he works with pretty closely.

That is good advice though. He's run into so many issues working with other contractors (mostly one's who are not part of his circle).


Will definitely post pics!!!

Doing major renovations at once

The exterior stuff shouldn't be too bad. I would absolutely do the walls and kitchen together though. After we knocked down walls our house felt filthy. It took me weeks to get it to feel clean again. Then within months we turned around and did our kitchen. Another complete mess. I'd rather be super stressed for less time and get it all done at once, than be only somewhat stressed for a long period of time, but that's just my personality. I'm not going to lie, when we redid our kitchen, I was a basketcase and we didn't even do a complete gut. It was so worth it in the end though.

Can't wait to see pics!

Re: Doing major renovations at once

Re: Doing major renovations at once

On a positive, it sounds like a lot of the stuff you're doing is outside stuff (siding, roof, porch). I've lived through several major renovations and all I can say is that make sure there are a few rooms where nothing is going to be done. Esp. if your kitchen is getting redone, you're going to need a place to "cook" and eat. As for knocking down walls, try to plan on what is getting done when so you still have some space that is just "yours".

Doing major renovations at once

We are gutting our entire house right now. I feel your pain but in the end it will be worth it.

Re: Doing major renovations at once

Irishgirl gave you great advice. There are some things you can do to prepare...see Best Way to Prepare For Your Kitchen Installation or Any Home Renovation

Hope this helps.

Re: Doing major renovations at once

I cannot tell you how stressful it was. I had the kitchen, bath, doors moved, siding, changed windows, roofing, flooring, moved walls. It was too much for a short period of time. It took me four months....

I was running back and forth from queens where I lived in the apt while getting the house done plus working. Picking out out appliances and bathroom and kitchen tiles and fixtures was a lot of pressure. It was just not enough time. Decisions had to be made quickly.

OH, I forgot I had a HUGE tree cut down in front of the house, it took 10 guys. The same day the roofing and siding was being done, there were additional 15 people doing that.....

Dealing with the electrician was nightmare. Did I also mention I converted from oil to gas during this time period as well? If I had more time I would've done more research. There are tons of little things I needed extra $$$$ for.

On a great note however it was all worth it, I have a few little things inside to get done but it was all worth it.

Good luck!

Now, all I have left is the basement and yard.

Re: Doing major renovations at once

Thanks again.

A couple of the contractors were here yesterday and met with DH.

He's just waiting for them to get back to us on pricing.

DH is hoping to start gutting the house in 2 weeks.

Doing major renovations at once

We gutted the majority of our house 2 years ago (we didn't do the kitchen or one bathroom).

Thankfully, our renovations were done quicker than anticipated which was nice but, there were a lot of decisions to be made. Start picking out things now like fixtures, cabinet pulls, etc so you are ready to go when needed.

I recommend moving out though - it's easier to not be there with all of hte dust and filth. They told us we could have stayed but, they preferred if we left - and the stuff in the rooms that remained intact were gross so I'm glad we left!

Re: Doing major renovations at once

I found decision making to be the most stressful. So if you can take some time to make some decisions on style, color, etc... beforehand.

Re: Doing major renovations at once

I would consider doing the outside at once, and then the inside separately... also, a kitchen takes a lot of time to plan out so i wouldnt rush into it. I agree with decision-making being stressful

Re: Doing major renovations at once

we're doing this right now-renovating a whole house. It is stressful but I'm glad we're doing it all together. It will be worth it in the end
Scheduling the different contractors and decision making are the biggest stressors, but we're getting there.