Anyone regret renovations?

[kirinm]

I like the changes we've made but I am so FED UP of all our money going to renovations, all of our time going into renovations and all of our energy going into renovations (and arguments about renovations).

I see friends off on weekend breaks and know we can't do any of that because all of our spare time is spent doing this bloody flat up. It's not even like we plan to enjoy what we've done as we've now got a baby and need to sell ASAP as it's too small. It's driving me nuts. It's hard to be excited about the finer details anymore.

And even though we row about it all and are mainly miserable, I know he will insist on buying another bloody do-er upper 😢

Been there, done that...but did add a significant amount to the value of our house. If we were buying now (5 years later) we would never be able to afford what we have now, which was achieved through by a lot of hard graft (and having no spare cash or free time for years.)
It is tough though, I know... but IMO worth it in the end. Even if you sell, cash in on the added value and don't buy a fixer upper next.

Hopefully you will at least recoup your renovation costs when you move. If done well the renovations should also make it easier to sell. Do you have to sell straightaway or could you hang on another year or two?

I know what you mean though. We’re in the midst of a downstairs remodelling and even though we’ve contractors to do the work it’s still stressful, the constant decisions, making sure all the issues are resolved before they become huge problems etc. I’ve had some wobbles over my design choices too which are now too late to change.

It’s hard when you spend £££££ and it isn’t absolutely perfect! It will be great when it’s done and a huge improvement over what we have now so I’m trying to stop being such a perfectionist and see the bigger picture.

I’m about to have an absolutely massive amount of work done on my house and I’m already sick of it. The planning, the changes, the little things that were meant to be easy going tits up.

It better be worth it!!

I think finavkally we've made the right decision as we should add fairly significant value to it as it is now a two bed rather than one bed but it is just problem after problem after problem. We bought it as we thought it would just be a few walls down, change the layout, put back in some of the Victorian character it's has ripped out and jobs a good'un. Turned out a lot of the work was structural despite the very many views we got and that slowed everything down.

We are just finishing our new kitchen at the moment and urgh ordering all the bits is just draining! Fortunately DP is an electrician so he's at least familiar with the various bits we need but what seemed fun at the beginning is now just boring. It has taken years as we've paid for things as we've gone along and it is now the best it's ever looked. I can't believe that we lived in it in some of the states it was in. I guess we are quite close to the finish line and everything is starting to drag.

We can stay here if we have to - if prices are screwed post Brexit or we can't actually sell but this is a flat in a Victorian villa. We own share of freehold and the other freeholders let their flats out to some less than desirable neighbours, we had students beneath us for 8 months. My daughter was 6 weeks old when they moved in and they made life really hard for us. Multiple parties every week etc. Their landlord did fuck all. We were never in love with the place but there's been so much negativity that we have no control over that it has sort of ruined it for us.

Sorry, I sound very moany. It's mainly because I have to go away for the weekend so work can be done as it's not possible with a small child running around - plus just seems friends having a jolly time away abroad somewhere. I'll be happy once the kitchen is done and we finally have a dishwasher!

Renovations are a pain in the arse. Looking back it's hard to believe what I put up with over the years (eg, no functioning bathroom for months whilst having a baby and a toddler). However, we've now bought our proper, long-term family home and would never have been able to get it had we not made good money on a couple fixer-uppers before. But yes, this house is a project too. As you say, DH would never be able to buy a finished house, he loves the challenge (and I've got pretty good at designing space, kitchens etc by this point!)
I agree about seeing friends having fun weekends/holidays and we can't, it bothers me.

If you can truly afford a house in a good area and good condition, then go for it! I know we can't so we look for 'project' type of houses atm. Renovation will then be a necessary evil and I'm sure we'll find it as hard as you do but I don't see any other way for us to buy a house tbh.

@desperate that's entirely our aim too. I was very enthusiastic 3.5 years ago. Less so now.

3.5 years is a very long time to be doing home improvements!

We had a baby mid-way through! and it's been stop and start as we saved and then did the next phase. We spent all of our money buying the place.

I lived onsite during a big renovation..took 2 years to get it done..I did help on a lot of the jobs also. I like what has been achieved , it was my late mum's house but 12 years later the shower needs all changing and tiling and I have no interest at all...just want it done fast and simple with minimum mess...next house will be one already in good condition with just cosmetic work...can't face dust and rubble etc again !!