I have experienced a pretty interesting reality check lately. It had been awhile since we had done this, but we have been doing some major work in our own home, and I cannot help but be humbled by the emotions experienced by our clients when they are deep in the renovation process. We as designers are completely comfortable with how this all is supposed to go, the demo and then putting it all back together- not to mention all the stuff in between. There are never ending lists of supplies needed to complete the job, details that have to be clarified on site, starting with a plan and realizing you will need to change course due to existing conditions or a stubborn spouse. It is easy to forget how hard actually living through construction is until you are in full throttle mode in your own home.
We think we are better equipped to deal with this than the regular homeowner. However,it is good to go through the process once in awhile to get you grounded! Take my place, for instance. We replaced all of our exterior windows from regular single hung windows to the hurricane rated impact kind. It should have been easy, but it was terribly messy and invasive! The inevitable hitch we warn all of our clients about happened when one window sill had water damage and needed extra attention and an engineering letter for the City. This took an extra 6 weeks to receive. Completely out of our hands, as these things tend to be. However, this delayed the shower tile replacement that we need to do because the window installation necessitated widening that window opening slightly and was at odds to the existing tile situation. Fine, we covered the window to temporarily use the only shower in the house…with a black contractor bag! Now this was only supposed to be for a couple of weeks while we waited to close our permit. Four months later, we are finally replacing the tile in the shower. Of course, not all of the delay was contributed to the engineer or the City’s need for more information. Like everyone else, we ran into scheduling issues. The installer we wanted was not able to start until early May, and we chose to wait. He’s that good, and worth the wait, so that is what we did.
Now I’m not going to lie, I have had my share of manic cleaning fits and rearranging the tool staging areas. What’s with these guys and spreading their tools out single file?!?! This is why we always recommend that the homeowner move out, but no, not us, we can handle it! It’s only a bathroom remodel. The project is almost done and can’t wait to take it for granted! I have had to keep reminding myself that no gorgeous change can happen without a dusty house and things in disarray. It’s a short term situation, and we are all in it together, making life more beautiful one project at a time.
