How do you all COPE with renovations? I hate the disruption.

[gelnames]

Hi all, (lighthearted really)

Am having work done. I hate the noise, the disruption, the dust, the NOISE (did I say that) and all the rest of it.

I think I am concerned about the effect on the neighbours TBH, although they have been informed and are lovely about it. They said that everyone has to do things now and then and work away.

How nice is that?

But I still hate it. My DP is project managing, he is early retired and loves it. I am also at home, but I make sure to escape for the day.

I can't help it. Maybe I am too sensitive and no one else cares.

After the construction work out back, next is ripping out kitchen and replacing.

I am going for a weeks holiday with my sister for that one!

How do you all cope!

I'm the same. I hated having big messy jobs done in the home.

Hated everything being out of place and the dust and tools everywhere etc.

But it's never been for too long and once the work was done it didn't take long to get back to normal way of living.

Then you forget!!
You look back and it's all done now.

It always passes and it will for you.

Hated it.

Was at work all day. Friends and relations houses as much as possible in the evenings and weekends!

I had a neighbour who went on holiday while they had a conservatory built.

They couldn't be doing with all the upheaval.

Yes miaowthecat

I was mostly alone while DH went to work and had to keep ringing him when I didn't know how he wanted something doing/leaving it as it was/changing. In answer to 'how do you want this doing love' ha ha. As if 'I' knew the answer to all the jargon/measurements!

Urgh - it's the pits. We are very near the end of ours and tomorrow will be the last day of filling, sanding and painting I hope. Then I have to find everything and put it back in the new kitchen.

Once I've had a sort out, I have a pantry to repaint. Not strictly necessary, but will make the whole thing more finished.

We've moved out and taken a rental and I am still hating every second of it.

To be fair I don't have any major issue with rhe disruption and I found things like replacing rhe kitchen or whatever work, interesting, but I do take issue with people,in my home, I struggle with it.

I've got another seven days of decorators in shortly, all in the kitchen, and although the disruption will be painful. I can manage just fine. Is the lack of privacy, the need to be cheery and make teas and coffees, that I find difficult.

Is there one room in the house you can shut off and make your 'safe space' to go and hide in when it gets too much? Preferably with netflix, headphones and wine? Get draught excluder to keep dust out. I find having one place that is ok makes it tolerable. Also start planning the soft furnishings and end result, that helps focus your thoughts on the outcome not the current upheaval.

Loving the replies.

I think my major issue is not about me or the family, we will cope, it is all for us after all.

It is the noise and dust etc that the lovely neighbours have to deal with aswell as us.

I am a softy obviously. And as I said earlier, the neighbours are OK with it, very much so. Because we gave notice!

I am such a wimp. But I still wince when the kango hammer goes off every five minutes!

We've literally today just come out the other side of this.

Neighbours- keep updated at weekly intervals. "This week may be noisy/dusty whatever because x is happening. Please let me know of any difficulties, I've reminded builders about parking courteously" (or whatever). And plan a gift for them when you're through! I spent more time sourcing local jam for the woman downstairs than I spent choosing tiles.

Mental health - Leave.The.House. Find five local cafes, libraries, whatever - I spent hours in a nearby McDonalds - where you can hang about with coffee and a laptop, and rotate between them.

Don't get sucked into looking at work in progress if it stresses you out. Your OH can do that, or just tell the builders to get on with it.

You are not coffee maker in chief. Kettles cost £4 at Argos/Asda - buy one for builders, bulk buy Hobnobs or whatever if feeling generous, and leave them to it.

you will get through it!

Thank you all.

I can cope as we all can ... but I am always thinking of the noise and disruption for those around us.

I am a softy. My DP said it will all be OK.

I suppose it will be a short term disruption and then it will be quiet again!

I get the wobblies when there is big noise though. Can't help it.

Oh God, we are starting in a week's time (kitchen, bathroom, shower room, cloakroom), including a small knock through. Never had anything so big or expensive done.

It's just horrid, isn't it? Apart from the dust and chaos and noise, I struggle with having people in my space all the time. The builders have been very professional and polite so far but I still find it really stressful not having any privacy. And all the decisions! Can't wait for the next 12 weeks to be over!

Do any of you worry about the impact on neighbours?

As I said earlier, all have been consulted and are fine, but I still worry all the time about the impact on them.

Maybe it is just me. Sensitive and a worrier!

Quite frankly, I haven't considered the neighbors yet. It's not an open extension (if that's the word), there's plenty of parking space and the houses are detached. Am I being naive?

We are about to have a huge amount of work done on a small flat (2 bathrooms, kitchen, flooring throughout and decorating - thanks to the Mumsnetters who helped with costing this up!).

We've elected to move out (local AirBnB) for 3 weeks. And to crate up (hiring crates) all our belongings so they can be easily shifted about as they move through the project (contractors idea).

Still stressful though!

PS: As it's a flat we had to clear the schedule of works with the management company, and have written to all neighbours (above, below and either side) with the schedule, contact numbers for us and the contractor and hours of work etc.

Could you move out for a bit? We're having our kitchen done soon and we're de-camping to my parents' house. I HATE the disruption and did the same when we did the bathroom a few years ago.