Managing a renovation alone: the final push

7 years ago

Hi everyone,

I'm 8 weeks into renovating my 650ft2 apartment- the walls, the ceiling, the floors, kitchen, bathroom... everything was removed and is being rebuilt.

I live alone and bought the apartment with my ex 5 years ago (he moved out almost a year ago). I think I underestimated how tough it is to do this while working full time and, like all renovations, there have been issues with timelines, budget, compromises and practical decisions (although my primary contractor and PM passed away 4 weeks into the project so it added an extra level of stress).

I'm lucky that we're running only a week behind schedule (due to finish in about 2 weeks) but I'm mentally exhausted and am sick of living out of a suitcase (at a friend's place). I don't know anyone who's taken on a renovation of this scale (it's a small place but I moved everything out to start from scratch) and I've felt quite lonely through the process... more and more as I reach the end. Any words of wisdom (or comfort) for the final few weeks?

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Comments (5)

apple_pie_order
7 years ago
It will all get done eventually. Sometimes finding a local friend do a weekly walk through with you will give you a chance to talk to someone about it.
icedana thanked apple_pie_order
cat_ky
7 years ago
You have made it this far, you will make it the rest of the way. Think of how nice it will look, when everything is done and your furnishings are all back in place.
icedana thanked cat_ky
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Debbi Washburn
7 years ago
It always works out in the end. That is a huge undertaking and so far so good! Treat yourself to a nice night out!
icedana thanked Debbi Washburn
tksjbl
7 years ago
Not long now....a new phase of your life about to begin!!!!! (Been in your situation), If feeling really mentally exhausted, could you take some leave from work to finish up and move back in? Important to be talking this through with a friend or family member too..... be kind to yourself. Best wishes.
girl_wonder
7 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear that someone on the project passed away. Wow.

Overall, I can relate. It's a lot. You are managing a lot and displaced from your home. Plus this might be dredging up some issues about your ex or that you are now doing this alone. Plus there are always $$$ concerns, I bet. This is all huge! I'm 2 months into a 6 months project. I'm feeling on edge that a new issue will arise, but even when it doesn't, there are always things I could be working on. I think you (and by that, I mean me), need to schedule some downtime. My suggestion is extra self care. Are there things you can do to help you feel recharged? Go to sleep an hour early? Take a walk in nature? Rent a hot tub? Stop watching the news until your whole project is done? As tksjbl pointed out, you can coming into the homestretch. Maybe you can do a little "advent calendar" countdown thing. Give yourself a little treat each day until the project is done? We're pulling for you. You can do this. One day soon you'll be in a beautiful new home and all these hardships will begin to melt away.... ;)
icedana thanked girl_wonder