Home remodeling has a way of testing your nerves.
No matter how carefully a project is planned, once walls are opened and materials start coming apart, the unknown reveals itself. That uncertainty is what makes many homeowners uneasy and understandably so.
Years ago, a friend of mine, Robbie Smith, owner of Vizion Windows and Doors, shared something that stuck with me. I asked him how he managed to stay calm through the some of the suprises that come with remodeling. His answer was simple, and more importantly, correct:
“It’s only sticks and bricks. Everything can be fixed.”
If you want to keep your sanity when doing major renovations, then I suggest you keep that mindset. It has proven to be true time and again.
What You Don’t See… Until You Do
When we do window replacement, we don’t always have a good idea of what lies behind the sheetrock or brick. It could be years of rot brought on by leaks that the homeowner was never aware of. It could be termite damage.
The aren’t failures of the current project. These are problems that have been quietly developing over time.
When we discover those things, we address them with the homeowner and we do the necessary repairs to not only replace the window and give it a secure foundation to sit in, but also address the underlying problem that caused it in the first place. That’s the solution that benefits everyone.
And Yes—Sometimes Things Go Wrong
But let’s be honest: even an experienced crew can run into unexpected challenges of their own making.
As an example, let me share a recent remodel that we did.
The homeowner had three large patio doors spanning the back wall of her home, overlooking a beautiful pool and lake. Between each door were sections of brick and structural framing supporting the second floor above. To create the new opening, we had to remove a 20-foot section of doors, bricks and studs and reinforce the header.
All of this went smoothly and according to plan until it came time to install shelf angle to support the bricks above the opening.
As we prepared to install the shelf angle that supports the brick above the opening, a 23-foot-wide, three-foot-tall section of brick unexpectedly gave way and came crashing down. It happened right in front of both our crew and the homeowner.
The Difference a Calm Perspective Makes
Typically, a homeowner would panic. Possibly become angry. Typically.
Our homeowner just happened to be an interior designer who had the experience of knowing that sometimes things just go . She did not panic. She did not get angry. She trusted the process. And most importantly, she allowed us to make it right.
Within a day and half everything was corrected, the job was completed and the results were clean, strong and beautiful.
The Takeaway for Homeowners
If you’re considering a major renovation, then here is the truth:
Things can go wrong.
But that’s not what you should focus on. What really matters is who you’ve trusted to do the work.
A reputable and experienced contractor won’t hide from problems, whether they uncovered them or caused them. They will address them directly, fix them properly and make sure the finished work meets the standards you expected from the beginning.
It’s sticks and bricks. Everything can be fixed.