Did you know? 12% of couples think about divorce or separation when they are renovating their houses. For the Real Estate Chronicles, we come back on a survey from Houzz.com, carried out in 2013. 

Summer is approaching or at least we hope it will! We’re still waiting for the heat, but that’s another story. However, when you think summer, you can say renovations and all the stress that comes with it. For her chronicle this week, Nathalie Clément, director of Via Capitale du Mont-Royal, talks about the impact of renovations on couples. She also offers us tips to avoid conflicts! 

In 2013, Houzz.com focused on the impact of renovations on couples’ lives. This site is very complete on everything you can imagine about renovation. Ideas for bathrooms, kitchens and more, this site is full of inspiring tools and images to help people with their renovations.

We often hear it in the real estate industry: renovating (or moving) can be stressful for a couple. It might even be the second most stressful situation for a couple, just after surviving an earthquake! 

Here’s what they discovered. 

Couples and renovations

50% of couples consider renovations to be a very frustrating part of their relationship. In fact, 12% would have thought about separation or divorce during work on their property. 

The length of the work also has an impact on conflicts. The longer the work takes, the more people would tend to feel negative emotions about the renovations. It is easy to imagine that living without a bathroom or kitchen for a few months is a major source of stress!

The study also focuses on disagreements that may arise regarding the objects that must be kept or discarded during renovations. More than 42% of people reportedly hate at least one object belonging to their spouse in their home. It can range from a hunting trophy to an old couch inherited from dear parents. Of these, 20% of people would have gone so far as to get rid of this object without their partner’s knowledge!

Finally, when moving or renovating, couples may simply have a different view of the final result. There are many possibilities of conflict: disagreement on the style of couch to buy, on the layout of the frames, on the colour of the walls or cupboards…

How can we avoid this?

Even if this data is worrisome, it is not necessary to be alarmed. Here are some tips to avoid conflicts with your loved one during your next renovations. Get ready before your renovations! 

When you are involved in major renovation projects, it is necessary to set aside time with your spouse for planning. For example, you can cut images from magazines or found on the Internet and make a “scrapbook” or “vision board”.Get ready before your renovations 

When you are involved in major renovation projects, it is necessary to set aside time with your spouse for planning. For example, you can cut images from magazines or found on the Internet an make them look like a “scrapbook” or “vision board”. This will allow you to build a clear image, in pairs, of what the finished product might look like. The Houzz.com site, for example, offers a “virtual scrapbook”: you have access to an entire image bank to inspire you and create your common vision of the room to be renovated. If you like a country cuisine, but your partner prefers a very modern style, this tool can help you find an in-between that everyone can enjoy. Pinterest can also be an excellent tool to inspire you and allow you to store your ideas and wishes in one place. 

Accept compromises and be open

Whether in the planning or during the renovations themselves, it is imperative to be open to compromise. For example, the old leather sofa inherited from your spouse’s parents could be integrated into your new living room by adding a few new cushions or throws. 

Do your renovations gradually 

When people decide to make renovations, many decide to go for the whole package and change everything at the same time. It can be beneficial to make compromises on the intensity of the renovation, to go gradually. 

The budget

It is well known that money disputes are an important cause of separation for couples. It is therefore imperative to set a clear budget for your renovations. Several sites can help you in this process. Houzz.com can help you identify the price of materials (be careful, as the site is American, prices may vary with Canadian suppliers). In Quebec, Rona and Écohabitation offer similar tools, reference articles and tips to build a realistic budget for your renovations. 

So the key is really to be properly prepared. By applying these tips, you can be sure to be on the same page at all stages of your renovations! 

But then, why renovate? 

84% of people who do renovations would spend more time in their homes afterwards. They even report that they get a greater sense of relaxation from their home once the renovations are completed.

As a matter of fact, the renovations seem to be a tumultuous step to take in order to appreciate the comfort of your property even more.