Eastlife Autumn 2019

PROPERTY
Do as much as you can beforehand as this will reduce the time
the project takes. Have as many of the materials and fixtures as
possible onsite. Waiting for a new sink to arrive can severely
delay the completion of a kitchen, as well as increasing the cost
if contractors have to return to finish the work. Make sure you
know exactly what you want, as changing your mind once a
project is underway can be brutally expensive.
If it is a recently acquired property, assuming it is habitable, take
time to live in it to get a feel for what is going to work in terms of
both lifestyle and aesthetics. It provides the opportunity to work
with what you have and it can be surprising how some simple
changes, such as removing a wall, can move an area from
pleasant to amazing.
Be prepared to accept there will be chaos during the process.
If you are living in the property during the renovation, try and
create a separate area that remains tidy and relatively dust
free. Keep the communication channels open with everyone
involved in the process, too. If you are using contractors, regular
inspections and discussion keeps everyone on the same page.
Maintain your sanity by reminding yourself this is a temporary
state. When things get too much, take a couple of days out.
Have a night in a hotel room or with friends. Having even a short
time in a dust-free, organised environment reduces stress levels
and revitalises.
Finally, make sure you have fun with the renovation and
embrace the process. Remind yourself that you are lucky to
be in the position where you can be creative. Spend time
imagining what it will be like when it is complete. Breaking the
project into stages can help with this – having time to enjoy one
completed space while another is being completed helps in
maintaining a positive attitude until the day all the work is done.
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