Is it normal to feel hopeless during building work?

[Autumnsunrise]

Currently having new bathroom fitted. Started well but today hit a few issues and now another one has appeared and I can't get hold of my builder.

Is it normal to regret ever starting it and just being fed up of your house in disarray? Please can someone tell me it will all be ok?
I'm a strong and happy person normally but I just want to hide under a pile of coats and cry. And then I feel bad because some people got real problems.

Totally normal. Even worse when it's this time of year.

Usually it gets better and then you'll have a lovely new bathroom to enjoy.

Thank you! I will keep telling my rational brain this

Yes defo normal! I was so unhappy when our kitchen was replaced a couple of months ago - just all the stress and dust!
I also felt really uncomfortable and a bit of an anticlimax when it was completed

Oh dear sorry it was an anticlimax. Do you like it now?

Posted too soon!

Even though I loved it and it was exactly what I wanted.

Just take it a day at a time and think about what it will be like when it’s done

Oh yes!

I love it now! It was just all the stress and upheaval at the time.

Yes I cried regularly during our house renovation. And swore. And screamed. Had a big impact on relationship with DH exactly. But it's all temporary! Has put me off doing an extension though.

Thanks :) one day at a time!

It's definitely made me reconsider any more big home projects- and no way would I buy a do-er upper house unless I find oodles of money and can live in another house while the work is done.

I have a big old house. I'm fantasising about new builds!

Yes Autumn totally normal! I'm mid project too and have also had a few delays/unexpected developments.

I think I've struck lucky with my builders - apart from everything else, they clean and hoover - but even despite that, my whole house is filthy. There's no point trying to sort it mid project but I hate the mess.

However, like yours, when it's done it'll be so worth it. Just hold on to that thought .

Your last post - I could have written that!

I feel your pain. I've just had my kitchen replaced, decorator comes on Monday and I rashly decided I'd like all of downstairs plus my bedroom painted. I'm now running around trying to find places to put everything so its out of the way. I'm fed up with the dust and the disruption and trying to keep the dogs settled. My friends are fed up with me complaining - after all, people I asked to come and do work on my house have turned up and done work on my house. It will be lovely by Christmas. I think my wine consumption has doubled.

we had an extension done and I was grumpy the whole time. It's just so invasive and awful and if I never see our builder again it will be too soon even though he's a perfectly nice bloke and did a good a job

Haha I am on the wine now. Feel calmer than I did. The power of a mn hand hold is impressive thanks all.

Exactly how I feel @lubeybooby!

2 months in to a big building project here. I lose the plot most days. Have never cried so often!
It’s the fact that as well as dealing with all building work crap-mess, decisions, money, people in and out of the house, not knowing where anything is etc. Etc. ‘Normal’ life (which is pretty stressful anyway) continues.

So normal. It took 11 months for my house to be fully sorted after a fire (and even then they bodged so much of it). I felt like I was losing my mind during it all!

It’s normal if you’re not used to it, probably lack of communication from the building explaining the process.

Oh @Roomba so sorry to hear you had a fire. Hope nobody was hurt.

Thanks again for replies.
Think I need to worry less about whether builders like me.

This was me a year ago. Despite moving into a livable house. We decided to do several big renovations at once (new bathroom, walls knocked down, carpets taken up and floors sanded). We had numerous issues, pipe leak from bathroom right through to the cellar. Electrics went off. Floors were delayed. Brick dust everywhere.

It was hell. Had an argument with my partner over the height of a sink which ended with me packing and staying in a Travelodge and staying at his parents the night after.

I'd never do things in such an order but it was worth it. I love our home and seeing how things have progressed. We laugh about it now but it was awful. You will get through it.

I used to work for a bathroom firm. We very often had to counsel and reassure the customers who were having their bathrooms done that week that whilst your home is in chaos now, it will be beautiful once it is finished.

Reassuring, thanks :). Also been considering travel lodge!

Entirely normal! We did a kitchen extension and loft conversion at the same time last year - and stayed in the house. My partner was somewhat grumpy throughout, as he likes routine and structure. I was prepared to see it as an ' experience'. What I hadn't considered, was that the remainder of the house would be totally bashed and battered - and would all then require work. I rashly said that I would do some of the painting myself, not thinking how time consuming this would be.

We are still getting through all these repairs - and had a new bathroom put in a couple of weeks ago. I dreaded this, as it reminded me of last year's disruption. There is also the worry that something will go wrong - so the shower tray installed last year is leaking through the ceiling below.

I would recommend a series of treats throughout the work - meals out, a night or two away - it will be worth it in the end!