It’s now six months since we moved into the new house and it seems hard to believe that we achieved a complete renovation and remodel in only 22 weeks.

Of course there is always a price to pay for working 18 hour days and pushing everyone too hard on their deadlines. Burnout.

By the time we moved in, my son and I had had enough. This meant we moved in with quite a few tasks outstanding – admittedly most of them cosmetic jobs like filling and painting – but I’m ashamed to say they are all still waiting to be done.

We don’t have carpet on the stairs and landing, handles on some cupboard doors and quite a few skirting boards without even a coat of primer. And the worst thing is I don’t even see them anymore.

Writing this blog made me think about the lessons I’ve learned from doing a big renovation project. I’ve come up with quite a few so far but I’ve also focussed my mind on what is a problem for most people on a tight budget. How to truly finish a project once you’ve moved in.

I think I’ve come up with a foolproof plan that is simple but ingenious. Essentially, it involves putting time limits on the completion of tasks by booking in the necessary workmen or inviting guests whose opinion you either value or are intimidated by!

So far I’ve booked the carpet fitters for the beginning of December (the newel posts and skirting boards will have to be painted), the electrician at the end of November (I have to choose and purchase the light fittings) and my best friend and fiercest critic is coming for Christmas (and she is a true completer finisher). It must be having some effect as last night I cleaned all my brushes and purchased some more sandpaper!

Hopefully I’ve cracked that particular problem, which brings me back to the invaluable tips I picked up along the way. I have to be honest and say that most of them were gleaned from seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows or reading Homebuilding & Renovating magazine.

However, I’ve put by own personal spin on them and hope they give you food for thought. As space is limited and I’d like to share some of my before and after pictures, this week I’ve just listed my top tip. I’m hoping to be invited back as a guest blogger again and will post some more tips then.

Make Friends With Your Local Builders’ Merchants
This rule really applies to any outlet you’re going to be spending a lot of time and money in and where there is the opportunity to negotiate. I worked out when the staff weren’t as busy, spent time in getting to know who was the most helpful and got to know them as individuals.

After a while they would go out of their way to make sure they gave me good quality materials, discounts where they could and great advice if I wasn’t sure what to use. And most importantly, when I phoned up at 9am in the morning wanting a delivery that day, they did everything possible to get it on the next lorry.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen after

Sitting Room Before

Sitting Room After

Back of House Before

Back of House halfway through