Renovating a cottage can be fun and exciting, but it can also be stressful. When there are a lot of moving parts, your goals can get swept away. Some simple first steps, and teamwork, will keep your project moving smoothly. Whether you’re re-doing your kitchen or your entire house, there are a few things Christine says you should keep in mind before diving head first into renovating a cottage.
1. Go in with a Plan
When it comes to substantial renovations involving demolishing walls and constructing additions, it can be time-consuming. If you have a final vision in mind, though, this amount of time is substantially less. From start to finish, Christine and Gabe have the renovating process down to 4 to 6 months. “That’s because we’re so organized and have a vision for what we want before demo happens.”
2. Don’t Overthink It
Christine and Gabe say they have “great instincts and design sensibilities when we agree.” Even if you don’t have a design background, though, you can take a page from Christine’s philosophy to “not to overthink it.”
3. Make Things Work
Another way to save time and keep price down is to “make things work” rather than spending inordinate amounts of time or money in an attempt for perfection. “What isn’t perfect … people often find perfect because they wouldn’t have thought of it,” Christine says.
