The Truth About Home Renovations Nobody Tells You

Thinking about starting a home renovation? Buckle up, because there are some hard truths that the inspirational before-and-after photos don't tell you. Here's the inside scoop:

Bright room with paint supplies, ladder, and frames on a tarp-covered floor. Large windows let in sunlight; ornate ceiling detail.

1. It Will Take Longer Than You Think

Even with the best planning, delays happen. Materials get back-ordered, permits drag on, and that dreamy tile you picked out? It's still sitting in a warehouse across the country. Patience isn't just a virtue, it's a survival skill.

Hands holding a credit card near a laptop keyboard, possibly making an online payment. The card is black with raised numbers.

2. The Budget Will Flex (and NOT in a Good Way)

Surprises lurk behind walls, under floors, and sometimes right out in the open. Always, always have some money set aside for a contingency fund. Trust me, you'll need it.

3. Dust: It’s Everywhere

Dust barriers can only do so much. No matter how much plastic sheeting or the amount of barriers you put up, renovation dust sneaks in like sand after a beach trip. It can end up everywhere and on everything.

Two women in a sunlit room compare paint samples on a beige wall. A table with fabric swatches and blueprints is visible on the wooden floor.

4. Decision Fatigue Is Real

Tile, grout, paint, hardware... even the most decisive person can start

second-guessing by week three. My advice? Hire an interior designer to help make those choices easier and keep your sanity intact.

5. Your Patience (And Relationship) Will Be Tested

Nothing says "true love" like arguing over sconces at 9 p.m.

Communication is key - along with a weekly date night away from the chaos. And hey, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. At the end of the day, it’s a renovation, not life or death. Deep breaths.

A family of three smiles while examining a floor plan on the floor. Cardboard boxes in the background suggest a moving setting.

6. It’s All Worth It in the End

Yes, there are headaches and hiccups, but nothing beats walking into a space that finally feels like you. The frustration (and mess) is only temporary. And that "I can't believe this is mine" feeling? Priceless.