Posted on Monday, February 16 2026
Even when you’re really excited about the outcome, a major home renovation is stressful: Staying on top of contractors, managing supplies, trying to maintain a normal family life while plumbing and electrical systems are offline – even when the process goes relatively smoothly, renovations are disruptive.But there are ways to make it easier on yourself, and your family. Here are our top tips for getting through your renovation while minimizing your pain points.
Choose a contractor who’s a good communicator
It can be tempting, in a competitive marketplace, to go with the first contractor who has reasonable reviews and space on their schedule. But nothing ratchets up construction stress faster than working with people who don’t keep you abreast of what’s happening in your home, whether that’s as simple as letting you know the drywall team will be there early on Monday, or as complex as having to navigate a materials shortage that upends the whole timeline. Engage the contractor who is happy to return calls and doesn’t get annoyed when you ask for more information.
Ensure you have a good grasp of what’s going to happen
For most of us, major home renovations are a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we’re not experts in the process. But knowing exactly what’s going to happen – from timelines and costs to measurements and materials – will help ensure you aren’t blindsided by delays or complications. If you aren’t sure about something, don’t be afraid to ask!
Make a construction calendar
Successful renovations have to happen in a certain order: You can’t put sinks in until the plumbing’s done; you can’t finish drywalling until the electrical is completed, etc. What’s more, it’s crucial to know what’s happening in your home from day to day so you can stay on top of materials, sub-contractors and delays. A detailed calendar with day-by-day progress will help everyone stay on track.
Build a significant cushion into your budget
Lots of sources suggest building a 10% cushion into your budget, but in the case of major renovations or renovations on an older home (where surprises like knob and tube wiring or mold can be more common), you’ll want to increase that to 20-25%. Nothing exacerbates renovation stress more than the sinking feeling of being out of money before the project is completed.
Accept that renovation involves some temporary chaos
When you’re living through a major renovation, there are going to be difficult days: Days when the house is filled with dust, or you realize you’ve been eating takeout for 5 days in a row, or the light fixtures you had your heart set on won’t arrive for another 3 months. Keep your eyes (and your focus) on the finished product, and don’t let the short-term disruptions get in the way of your eventual excitement.
Have a Plan B: Corporate housing
Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense to live in your home through the whole renovation. If you have small children or pets, there may be stages of the renovation that are dangerous for them, or maybe there are stages where the plumbing or electrical systems need to be off for several days. That’s where corporate housing can be a great help.
Furnished rentals, with fully-equipped kitchens, living spaces and bedrooms, allow you to have all the comforts of home without having to make a big move. They’re flexible, scalable, and many of our guests say that staying in one our furnished suites, homes or townhomes was the best thing they did to make their home renovation go more smoothly.
Talk to us about how we can bridge the gap between renovation stress and the finished home of your dreams!
About Premiere Suites
For more than 25 years, Premiere Suites has provided corporate housing and furnished accommodation across Canada. With a network of more than 10,000 furnished suites, homes, and townhomes in more than 95 locations across the country under professional management, Premiere has long been recognized as the first choice for insurance clients, employee relocations, government assignments, medical stays, and digital nomads from Vancouver to Halifax.