Whether consciously or not, every homeowner starts a home project with expectations. You might anticipate finishing by a specific date, only to encounter delays. Or maybe you’ve run into unexpected backorder issues that force you back to the drawing board for more tedious decision making. These unexpected surprises and unmet expectations can be quite disappointing, especially when navigating them alone.
As a designer, I’ve seen this happen time and time again. The excitement surrounding a major home project can overshadow reality, leading to a rush toward the finish line. To keep expectations in check, it’s important to educate yourself upfront. This way, there are plans in place to keep the process more manageable, both emotionally and financially.
Understanding common surprises (and solutions) before you start can help manage your expectations, ensure smoother progress, and avoid common pitfalls.
Home Project Surprise #1: The Design Phase Can Take Time
Pulling together all the details isn’t as quick as snapping your fingers. Creating a deeply personal space that feels like you involves a lot of layered decisions that all need to work together. This phase is a time investment that I can promise you won’t want to rush. We make hundreds of design decisions, all of which need to work harmoniously to create a cohesive look. Rushing through this critically important process can result in a home that feels disjointed, impersonal, and inadequate.
How We Help: I completely understand the anticipation and excitement you will feel during this phase – you can’t help it! While it may feel like a long time until your design reveal day arrives, know that we are behind the scenes making sure that everything meets your expectations, standards, lifestyle, and desired aesthetic. We prioritize efficiency without compromising quality because, afterall, great design takes time.
Home Project Surprise #2: “Small” Changes Can Have a Costly Impact
Let’s face it, everyone changes their mind about one thing or another during a renovation. But even small changes to your design can have a domino effect on other elements in the space. For example, deciding to swap out the backsplash in your kitchen might lead to changes in the countertops, which could then affect the cabinetry color, hardware finish, and sometimes even the floors.
What may seem like a simple swap or small shift can quickly escalate, resulting in additional time, work, and impacting your total investment.
How We Help: We’re here to bring you an expert’s perspective and guidance during the planning phase to consider every detail and option. Remember, it’s much easier to make changes on paper than to deal with them once construction has already begun. Yes, some on-site adjustments might be necessary, but having a solid plan in place will minimize any disruptions and keep your project on track.
Home Project Surprise #3: Home Renovation Timelines can be Lengthy
Perhaps you had an inkling about the length already. What you may not have realized, though, is the sheer number of factors that can influence the overall timeline. From the size and scope of your project to the availability of materials, age of the space, and coordination of various trades, there are literally so many pieces of your reno puzzle that can affect its progress.
How We Help: You can go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief – a designer will significantly streamline the renovation process with expert planning, access to resources, and efficient project management and problem solving. I won’t lie, your project will still take time, but we’re here to ensure that it is always progressing.
Home Project Surprise #4: There Are Countless Decisions to Make
There is so much more to your home project than choosing a tile or paint color. Yes, materials must be selected, but what homeowners don’t often realize is that every decision has multiple “sub-decisions.” For example, if you’ve chosen your tile, you’ll need to also decide on a grout, tile pattern, and other coordinating elements in the space.
Remember that if your project includes multiple rooms, you’ll be multiplying your total number of decisions.
How We Help: As seasoned experts in the industry, we know all the decisions involved in a project and carefully check them off. We also are certain to choose the right materials and make all the right sub-decisions to align with your desired aesthetic and meet your practical lifestyle needs. Nothing is forgotten or left to chance.
Home Project Surprise #5: Contingencies are Inevitable
The hard truth about home projects is that regardless of how well you plan, unexpected surprises or challenges are inevitable. Frustrating? Yes. Time and budget consuming? Both are also possible. From minor issues like out-of-stock drawer pulls to more complex problems like discovering corroding pipes within a wall, it’s best to anticipate some bumps along the way.
Along with these challenges, costs can quickly spiral as you encounter unexpected expenses or need to make new decisions, turning a well-intentioned budget into a major headache.
How We Help: Maintaining a positive and flexible mindset is critical for persevering through surprise challenges, but we take it a step further for you. We help you plan and allocate your investment upfront so that you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. Our experience and industry knowledge allows us to anticipate potential issues, minimizing disruptions and keeping your project on track.
If any unexpected problems arise, we’ll be there to quickly address them, making sure your investment is carefully managed throughout the process.
The Invaluable Support of a Designer
While perhaps these common issues may seem overwhelming, my intention is not to scare you off from completing the home renovation you’ve dreamed of. Home projects can be life changing in the very best way, and when you arm yourself with the knowledge of potential issues ahead of time, I can assure you that you’re setting yourself up for success.
Even more good news? When you include a designer on your team, you put yourself in the very best position possible. Your designer will be your advocate and trusted guide throughout the entire process. With their support, these mistakes are avoidable!
If you’re still searching for the right designer for your project, I’d love to chat. Reach out to me here, and let’s see if we’re a good fit for each other.
Warmly,
Kristen
