With the holidays fast approaching and the New Year quickly, many homeowners are starting to plan on how to improve their homes. This can be stressful enough even when you’re still in the planning phase. But did you know that for some families, the stress that comes with home improvements causes couples to draw the last straw and call it quits?
According to a survey, up to 17% of couples divorced or separated after investing in an ongoing home improvement project. Money issues, different tastes, and even the most minor details can contribute to the demise of a relationship. So, if you and your partner plan to improve your home soon, here are three tips to make your life easier so you won’t end up like one of those statistics.
1. Don’t Forget to Compromise
This is probably the most important tip you can keep in mind when it comes to home improvement projects. No matter how alike you and your partner might be, there will be differences in taste when it comes to design, color schemes, and more. Failure to communicate and compromise with each other can result in arguments and resentment.
To avoid this, keep an open mind and remember to see things from your partner’s perspective. It might not be easy, but it’s definitely worth it to maintain a peaceful household. Don’t forget to also tell him this so they, too, will make an effort to see things from your perspective.
Let’s say your plan is to renovate the kitchen. Talk to your partner about what kind of design they would like and work together to find a middle ground with which you’re both happy. The same goes for the budget. If one of you is more frugal than the other, try to find a way to split the cost so that it doesn’t cause any financial strain on either of you. This way, you can avoid arguments about spending too much or too little.
2. Invest in the Right Home Services
Improving a house and still being in charge of its upkeep can be stressful. There’s the need to ensure the space is still livable even if some home improvement projects are ongoing. Don’t forget the other tasks you will have to keep up with while improving the house.
For example, you are renovating the attic to enjoy more living space. When doing so, the house can quickly turn dirty with your family and contractors moving around the house. If you get too tired and overwhelmed to handle the cleaning yourself, you can always hire a professional cleaning service to help you out.
The same goes for other tasks, such as laundry. If you can’t find the time to wash your dirty clothes, bath mats, comforters, etc., you can always hire a reliable laundry service to take care of it for you. This way, you and your spouse can focus your energy on more critical tasks such as picking out paint colors instead of fighting over who will clean, dry, and fold the laundry. When choosing a laundry service provider, find one that offers same-day pick-up and delivery services so you can continue your home improvement project without any delays.
3. Be Mindful of Everyone’s Routines
Routines help you to be more productive by establishing a pattern of behavior that makes it easier to get things done. When you have a routine, you know what to expect, and you can plan your day accordingly. This is especially helpful when we’re trying to juggle multiple tasks at once.
When improving your home, you’ll need to be mindful of your family’s and contractor’s routines. You don’t want them stepping on each other’s toes or risk chaos, delays, and even a bigger bill at the end of the project. So make sure you establish clear boundaries and communicate with each other often. This way, everyone will know what to expect, and there will be less conflict.
For instance, your spouse might be working from home during the day while the contractors are renovating the living room. In this case, it would be best to have the workers start early so your family member can focus on their work without distractions. You can also schedule regular breaks for the workers to take a quick break and avoid burnout.
If this is not possible, consider making other arrangements to avoid disrupting your family’s daily routine. Perhaps, you can ask your spouse to work from a coffee shop or the library for a few days while the workers are in your home. You can also ask a friend or relative if they’re willing to care for your kids for a couple of hours each day. This way, you can focus on the home improvement project and still be able to take care of your family’s needs.
Home improvement projects can be stressful, but there are ways to make them easier on yourself and your family. By being mindful of everyone’s routines, investing in the right home services, and communicating with your partner, you can avoid conflicts and make the process smoother. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to a successful home improvement without risking your marriage.