We all know that renovating or building a home is an incredibly complex and stressful undertaking. Why? At the top of the list of answers to that particular why is that it is expensive. I always start the conversation with a client around the budget. Many times I am told that there is no budget... There is always a budget! Let's just get that out of the way. It is up to the client to establish that benchmark and no one else. Of the dozens of individuals and and groups involved in renovations, the outcome will always be driven by the budget. Without realistic expectations and the numbers to back them up, no one can do their job effectively.
I am very honest with clients when I tell them "Whatever you think this project may cost, double it. However long you think it may take to complete this project, triple it." There are a thousand reasons for this hard bit of truth: You never know what you will find when you start opening up walls. Also (at least in New York City), buildings have condo or co-op boards with a whole host of requirements that must be met during any renovation and they will want to see all of the documentation regarding your project and they will have their say. Every county or jurisdiction has building codes that must be adhered to and your local DOB will need to permit and approve any major work. If you own an older structure(100 years?), you can count on encountering some unforeseen problems. It's just the way it goes. And if you like nice things, finishes, etc. The work can be costly.
On the decorative side, there are lead times for materials and furnishings, cabinetry, fixtures, fabrics, on and on. Supply chain issues. Contractor issues. Subcontractor issues, Everything takes time and you will encounter snags from time to time. Go in knowing all the potential for delay and you’ll be better prepared if and when they happen. You may also be pleasantly surprised when things go smoothly and finish as scheduled.
There is an antidote to help alleviate the time crunch: proper planning before construction begins. The more decisions you make in advance of the first swing of a hammer, the better off you will be over the course of your build. You are only as good as the professionals you hire to do the job. Remember that HGTV and the shows they churn out are edited and programmed for entertainment purposes, in no way do they represent the real world. What you don't see behind the scenes are the many semi-tractor trailers and dozens of crew members with equipment, materials that have been provided by sponsors for free... All in the space of 30 or 60 minutes. Not to mention the fact that we don’t get to see the finished work in person. Looks great on camera anyway…
Expectations are everything. The more realistic yours are the better off you will be in the end.