I believe one element of renovations that is not discussed enough is the mental tiredness that might result from living through renovation process.
Renovations often seem intriguing from the outside. New floors, paint, refurbished rooms, improved layouts. But the middle phase between “before” and “after” can really seem draining at times.
There is the dust that somehow manages to get into every corner of the room, regardless of how much cleaning is done. Then the noise becomes also a regular feature of your life, the drilling, banging, movement, visitors in and out, objects always moving around.
The progressive loss of familiar activities during remodelling most likely increases the strain. Things that were once simple become annoying all at once. The kitchen becomes partially unusable. Furniture gets relocated. Rooms lose their sense of calm when everything feels temporary and incomplete.
Most people approach renovations anticipating a straight path from start to finish, but in reality, there are always unanticipated problems, waiting periods, budget changes and delivery difficulties, that progressively accumulate over time, which creates irritation and frustration.
That is why I now see renovations as examination of patience, instead of just physical endeavours. The finished product will certainly be worthwhile, but the process itself is psychologically taxing than most people would have anticipated.