Everyone's sharing their beautiful renovation reveal posts. Nobody's showing you the part where they're crying into a takeaway container at 9pm because the tiles are delayed and there's dust in places dust shouldn't be.
Let's talk about that part.
Renovations are messy, chaotic, and occasionally character-building in ways you didn't ask for. But they're also worth it when done right - if you know what you're walking into.
Here's what nobody tells you:
I don't care how organised the site is or how amazing your contractor is; dust, noise, plastic sheets, and general chaos will wear you down.
Case in point: we once did some AC repair works at home that involved ripping down ceilings. I'd seen this kind of work a hundred times on client projects and totally romanticised the idea of a fun sleepover setup in the den that didn't need work. It was fun for exactly one night. Then it sucked. Workers in and out at all hours, no proper bathroom access, dust absolutely everywhere. Move out. If you’ve got pets, they’ll hate it (arrange alternative accommodation for them). And your contractor needs freedom of movement to actually do their job. Your sanity will thank you.
If you're renovating part of your home while living elsewhere, seal everything in boxes. I mean seal. Dust gets everywhere - inside cabinets, behind closed doors, into places you didn't think possible. Pack systematically so unpacking isn't a nightmare. This step gets skipped in the rush to start, but it prevents breakages, protects your belongings, and makes moving back in actually enjoyable instead of overwhelming.
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You're demolishing walls, drilling into concrete, sawing materials, pouring floors, hammering things into shape. There's no quiet, tidy way to reshape a space. It's loud, it's invasive, and it's necessary. If you're in an apartment, expect complaints. On one project, even though our contractor was working within building regulations for noisy works, neighbours kept complaining to security. Part of the value of working with a good team? They know how to play nice with security and keep things harmonious. It's not a flaw in the process - it is the process.
We once had a tile manufacturer's factory catch fire during a project. I was on a short, planned trip to Bali, timed specifically for the delivery window when things are usually just sitting in transit. Got the call while literally hopping on a boat to an island. Custom-cut tiles meant a delay by weeks. All I could do was coordinate remotely and wait. Even being in Dubai wouldn't have changed anything; sometimes you just have to ride out the chaos (literally).
No amount of planning eliminates every variable. A shipment gets held at customs. A supplier discovers a material is discontinued. A hidden pipe gets uncovered during demolition. Expect disruptions - they're not failures, they're just reality.
There's a point - usually halfway through - where you'll be itchy, impatient, maybe living out of a suitcase and wondering if this was all a terrible idea. You'll feel like nothing's moving. But here's the thing: progress isn't visually linear. Demolition looks catastrophic. Rough-ins look worse. Then suddenly, finishes get installed and it clicks into place. Trust the process. It always looks worse before it looks amazing.
Site conditions reveal themselves during demolition. What looked straightforward on paper hits a structural beam or outdated wiring. Materials get discontinued. Timelines shift. This is why we only work with suppliers who communicate clearly, and the more complex the project, the more non-negotiable this becomes. Everything can be solved when there's open, honest communication. Everything falls apart without it.
I know you're dying to move in. You want to unpack, settle in, start hosting. But the contractor handover date isn't your move-in date. There will be snags, there always are. Loose handles, paint touch-ups, a switch that needs adjusting. You'll need a professional deep clean before snagging (so issues are visible), then another clean after snags are resolved. Plan for this buffer. Your gorgeous new space deserves to be pristine when you move back in.
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Renovations aren't for the faint of heart, but they're transformative when you go in with eyes open. If you're considering a renovation and want a team that handles the chaos so you don't have to, book a call to discuss your project.
