Do you or your partner always seem to want to start a renovation just prior to the holidays? This can be stressful so this is a good time to chat a little bit more about deadlines and especially those around milestone celebrations like at birthdays, babies being born or holidays.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again a Good Planning is the key. For those of you who are unfamiliar with our All Things Renovation podcast, I did a whole foundational series that gets into planning so head back there if you’re considering a reno in 2022!
Now, within any planning element – scheduling is something to keep in mind.
Start well ahead of the deadline to leave a time buffer. The larger the project the larger the buffer should be. I’m not talking about days, I’m talking about weeks or even a couple of months if the renovation is fairly substantial. You also want to make time to repopulate the space, and hang the art. If you bought furniture you will want to get it in and get it set up too.
Construction can be a wild ride and it’s more like a marathon than a sprint. Being patient, nimble and flexible are definitely characteristics one must possess. Even with the best plan sometimes the collective “we” just can’t meet a deadline for whatever reason. Additions to the scope, supply chain delays, hidden structural or infrastructure issues or horrendous weather are often the main culprits.
What do you do when faced with this predicament???
Well, it’s time to do a bit of triage.
What can and can’t be completed?
Maybe the floors can go in but not the trim. Or the vanity can’t be installed in the powder room, but the toilet can. Focus on what you CAN do and see if you can “live” with that for the party and then finish up afterwards.
Out of the things that are going to be incomplete, what if anything, can be done as a temporary measure to get you through?
I’m thinking about the classic kitchen situation: cabinetry is installed but there was a stone countertop snafu which also means the kitchen sink and faucet cannot be installed and the extension table you ordered will not arrive in time AND you’ve got a large family dinner planned. Could you get an off-the-rack plastic laminate countertop? Perhaps even just a portion for the sink area and then get a sheet of plywood that you can put on top of your existing table with a table cloth to allow seating for a crowd?
Assess how much longer you realistically need to complete things?
Say you just need 5 more days to complete everything, but you only have 3 days.
- Are you willing to take heroic efforts?
- How much time and effort are you willing to pitch in yourself?
- Are you willing to pay double time?
- Will you provide food and copious amounts of gratitude for crews to put in huge efforts to help you complete?
If you’ve been someone who was really good to work with you will have built up the social capital to beg them to help you out. And likely they will. BUT remember that they too have families that they are taking time away from during the holidays. Be sure to give them a significant thank you if they do agree to help out.
Take a moment, breathe….and then get creative.
Sometimes it’s just not humanly possible to do what needs to be done in time. Or it just won’t be complete enough at the deadline. Obviously this is really not what any homeowner wants, and it’s not what any contractor wants either. It may be time to call the game and figure out a plan B, C or D. Consider catering the dinner or go out at a restaurant. Or consider renting a tent, tables, and chairs, and setting up some fun lighting to make it a garden event. Alternatively, rent a home for a few days to hold the event in.
In the case of the arrival of a new baby, set up a temporary nursery and change station in an alternate room or flex space. This may not be ideal but it’s doable.
We all tend to place a lot of significance on outcomes, the deliverables, and our vision for our lived-in environments. Really, it’s the people in our lives that make our time on the planet a LIFE. In the moment it can be hard to focus on the big picture but in time, the whole debacle may be a great chapter that becomes part of your life’s story. Even if your renovation doesn’t meet your holiday deadline this year there’s a pretty solid chance it will be complete for next year so let’s cheers to that!
To listen to the full episode and read the show notes, visit www.AllThingsRenovation.com or click on the Podcast tab at the top of our homepage at www.woodbeart.com.
