Maintaining Your Health (and Sanity) During Big Home Remodeling Projects
Staying Sane and Healthy Throughout Home Improvement Projects
With summer quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to amp up for big home remodeling projects, whether you’re interested in projects that add value to your existing property, or just tackling jobs that help you to get more out of your home. Summer months bring more daylight, and often more time, so gear up now to start improving your home soon.
Before you do, be sure to consider important ways to maintain your health – both mentally and physically – as you embark on your next home renovation.
Form a Project Plan Before Beginning Home Improvements
Above all else, it’s imperative to take the time to plan for your home renovation project well in advance, and as thoroughly as possible. Yes, websites like Pinterest and blogs make DIY home improvement projects seem simple and feasible, but have you considered, but there plenty of “behind the scenes” essentials to consider.
This includes the number of hours a project will take, how many people you will need to involve on your home improvement project, the amount of financial backing required to see your project to fruition, and what tools and resources you will need to have at your disposal. Asking these questions ahead of time will help you stay calm and on track throughout your home renovation project.
With Home Renovation Projects, Always Ask for Help When You Need It
The biggest step you can take towards maintaining your health and mental well being while on home renovation projects is to ask for help. Sometimes easy in theory and difficult in real life, asking for help is imperative when it comes to keeping sane during your home remodel project.
It’s important to realize that you can’t do everything. Even a senior craftsman consults a reference model, so it’s okay to ask someone to help you tear down a wall, pick up your kids from baseball practice, or raise a level.
Asking for help not only makes home remodel projects easier, but it also saves time and improves safety. By having someone to spot you or aid you in carrying heavy, cumbersome equipment or large-scale furniture, you are taking precautions to maintain your health and avoiding injury in the process.
Build Flexibility Into Your Remodel Schedule
While it’s important to set goals and project parameters, you should allow for some flexibility in your overall project timeline. Levi Rice, a Portland architect, shared the findings of his recent home improvement project: “I was set to have construction done by March, but with a wet and rainy winter, undertaking a one-month construction timeline wasn’t realistic. I’m glad I was able to step back and reassess my project timeline – staying flexible was key.”
Successful Home Improvement Means Thinking About Health Holistically
While these logistical tips help lower stress by streamlining the home remodeling process, there’s more at stake than just a misplaced nail or a slightly delayed construction schedule. Before you commit to an extensive home renovation, you need to consider how it will impact you and your family’s physical, emotional, and mental health, as well. One of the most important questions you should ask is, “Where will my family and I live during our home renovation?”
To stay sane and healthy, some families vacate the homes entirely. Dale and Rose Holdren, who have two children ages 9 and 11, decided to live in a one-room cabin adjacent to their property while they renovated their main home. “It was close-quarters, the four of us living in a one room space for nine months, but it saved our kids from dust and mold concerns. With asthma in the picture, it was a no-brainer to keep us safe.”
And while this tight living situation saved the Holdren Family from physical health issues during their home remodel, it’s even more important to consider the needs of your own family. If personal space is paramount to your emotional health, be sure to weigh whether it’s worth it for you to rent a short-term apartment during your home renovation, vacating the premises for the duration to preserve both physical and mental health.
Options Is Here to Help You Out With Big Remodeling Plans
If you’re gearing up to buy a home that’s easily classified as a “fixer-upper,” or you’re about to refinance an existing property, Options can help with special programs that allow for extra funding to be added to the total amount of the loan. You can get more information on our special Renovation Loans, whether you’re considering pairing the extra funds with a standard mortgage loan or during the process of refinancing.
