PLAN, PLAN, PLAN....we are basically doing the first floor on a whim. Our original scope of work was to remove one 5 ft section of an existing wall, redo the bathroom, replace the baseboards, paint and refinish the floors. Where did we end up - a total kitchen/dining/den/bathroom gut. We removed all walls, redid the bathroom into a powder room, added niches, nooks and closets. The biggest change is the idea of redoing the kitchen. This just fell into our lap basically - a wall came out and there was no turning back. If this happens, you have 2 choices - JUMP in and act fast or STOP, regroup and develop a plan.
Make sure no mater what you do, stay within your budget - the stress from the reno alone can bring you down, add money problems and you may not make it out as a couple!!
Don't be afraid of ordering items on line. I saved $500 alone on my powder room fixtures. I ordered ALL of my lights and door hardware on line, saving hundreds of dollars. If you order early enough you will have time to exchange, etc if things won't work out. You can order all supplies, finishes and decor on line nowadays.
Be creative in terms of resourcing your items - there are countertop fabricators, cabinet wholesalers, and building surplus places in ever city. Check them out, walk their yards for supplies for your project. I got a new glass/wood front door slab for $350 - normal price on average over $850 (even with my contractor discount). I got my quartz countertops from a remnant yard at 40% less than normal industry prices. It takes a bit of time and effort but again, you can get the high end finishes for much much less.
KEEP up with the dust for your peace of mind. As much as cleaning and vacuuming a construction site can be a hassle, the peace of mind we have that dust is being controlled up and downstairs is well worth it. Living in the house during construction takes a particular personality - on the one side you are in the thick of things, you can watch and control just about everything. On the other side, you have no "normalcy" to balance the chaos. Keeping the debris to a minimum gives us the false sense of control that keeps us sane!!
Most Important, remember to take a step back and admire your work...I forget to do that most days...I need to look at what we have finished through a less scrutinizing eye in order to be able to appreciate it all. The process is over as soon as it starts - just like with having a baby - you forget the worst of it just weeks after moving in!!
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