Are you considering joining the millions of American homeowners this year who will embark on the transformative journey of a partial or whole-home remodel?
Before you sign any contracts or hand over the keys to your contractor, it’s worth your while to consider the unwelcome travel companion that will accompany every homeowner who embarks on this journey: Renovation-Related Stress.
How well you and your family will fare with renovation-related stress largely depends on how much you’ve directly and thoughtfully planned for it. The good news is that there is a lot you can do as a homeowner to minimize and manage renovation-related stress. In this three-part series of articles, we’ll share some professional tips to help you navigate the rewarding, albeit stressful, realities of home renovation.
At Alair Decatur, we pride ourselves on owning a process that mitigates risk and uncertainty for our clients, which ultimately helps minimize the stress associated with residential construction projects.
You WILL Experience the Rewards of Renovation
Most homeowners who have lived through a partial or whole-home remodel will agree that renovation is expensive, disruptive, and time consuming. Most will also add that those temporary irritations have faded into the rear-view mirror of their memory and have been replaced with the daily satisfaction of literally living in a better place.
Whether your dream project involves adding more living space, replacing outdated layout and finishes, or creating a sanctuary space that perfectly suits your lifestyle and taste, custom home renovation has many perks.
Rewards of Renovation:
- A well-planned and well-executed renovation will increase the market value of your home.
- Replacing outdated, less-efficient materials and systems will decrease utility costs and increase the energy efficiency of your home.
- You’ll save money by avoiding the expenses associated with locating, purchasing, and moving to a new home.
- You’ll experience the priceless satisfaction of having a living space that is custom tailored to your needs and desires.
TIP #1: KEEP THE FINISH LINE IN SIGHT
On those days when you’re feeling triggered by the renovation process, take time to actively remind yourself that renovation is a temporary process that produces definite, tangible, qualitative, and quantitative benefits for your life and livelihood. Renovation is an uncomfortable process that can last for months. The rewards of renovation, if done well, will last for decades.
Plan for Success AND Reduction of Stress
Design and planning are integral components of construction. The old carpenter’s adage “measure twice, cut once” resonates for a reason. The more detailed and organized your plan is, the more successful (and less stressful) your remodeling project will be. High-quality plans that are executed with fidelity and experience will result in high-quality finished products. You can guess what happens when a project plan is low-quality and/or non-existent.
Ultimately, your contractor/build partner is the one who is responsible for ushering all the resources to put a project plan together. Designers and architects are a great resource for developing detailed drawings for your builder to follow, as well as for helping you visualize the finished product. Your contractor will usher those drawings through your local code compliance office and secure the permits for your project. He or she will also request and secure quotes for work and hire the trade workers (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc.) who will execute the plan to the specifications of the design. Developing a high-quality renovation plan takes a coordinated effort from a contractor with a lot of experience and a transparent track record of success.
At Alair Decatur, we split each of our projects into two distinct phases: Planning and Construction. We don’t move into the Construction phase of a project until the Planning phase is fully completed. We don’t break ground until our clients are fully aware of (and fully approve) the overall project budget and project timeline, and until we’ve lined up all of the trade partners who will be working on the project. Doing this helps us minimize the stress of budget and timeline uncertainties for our clients.
TIP #2: INVEST TIME, EFFORT, AND MONEY TOWARDS A SOLID PLAN
Commit to a separate, specific period of planning before you break ground on your renovation project. Making changes during planning is relatively easy and inexpensive. Making changes during construction can be costly (with both time and money). Avoid having a long list of expensive changes and/or delays during construction by investing in the development of a high-quality project plan.
Built on Collaboration, Craftsmanship, and Client Focus
Since 2018, Alair Decatur has been transforming homes for Atlanta’s intown homeowners through a client-first approach to construction. Their work spans custom new construction and complex renovations, with award-winning results in historic remodels, additions, accessory buildings, and outdoor living spaces.
As a 2025 NARI National Remodeler of the Year, the Alair Decatur team continues to set a standard for what’s possible when craftsmanship, transparency, and teamwork come together.
