After the earthquake in Haiti, I read a book on rebuilding earthquake victims. It was a really good read. I was able to see how the physical act of rebuilding a home after a disaster can create a life-changing experience for the victim. Not only that, but I found in this book that rebuilding a house is a process that can create a self-awareness.
I think it’s important to give the victim a new definition of “self” that can allow them to feel safe, comfortable, and confident again. When a disaster strikes, the first thing everyone wants to do is run away from home. This is often a self-destructive behavior. But rebuilding a home often creates a sense of safety, comfort, and reassurance for the victim.
For example, in my own experience, when I remodeled my house, I was able to remove my anxiety and stress by getting rid of the things that were keeping me from feeling comfortable and relaxed. I stopped worrying about what would happen if I fell down a flight of stairs or got hit by a drunk driver. I began to think about what I would do if I had to rebuild my house. I began to think about what I would use that space for.
In my experience there are two major points to remodeling: “remodeling a room,” and “remodeling a house.” While remodeling a room (or another room) may be a fun activity for young kids, it is not a good idea for those in their late 20s and 30s. It’s hard to think outside of ourselves, because we have a need to do things in the moment.
I would also say that having a family to go back to after a remodeling is a big mistake. You will need to have someone to clean up your mess, and they will be the first ones to ask questions about the old place. Having a family and a house to take care of is a huge stressor, and it also makes it much harder to take care of the mess we are cleaning up.
Our experience with remodeling companies has taught us a few things. First and foremost, there is no such thing as “just a remodel company.” There are many different types of companies, and at any given time there may be a few of the best of the best on the market. But if you don’t know what kind of company you are hiring for a project, it is usually a mistake to hire a remodel company.
The best thing to do is to just sit down with the contractor and go over the contract in depth. Many times you can find a great remodeler, but their companies are probably just good at getting you the job done.
There are many companies out there that can give you a remodel quote, and many of them will be more expensive than your original price. But they will also have a better reputation for quality control, better warranties, and a greater ability to fix things, whether it’s a leaky ceiling or a leaky roof. Just be sure you ask for a quotation from a remodel company you trust and know will do a good job.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that they didn’t trust their remodeling company. And I definitely don’t believe for a second that there is a one-size-fits-all for all companies out there. We all have different personalities, different needs, different styles, and that’s okay. But if you want to be sure your remodeling company is going to do a good job and do it right, ask them yourself. It’s not hard.
So often we hear complaints that our remodeling company is overworked. But I think the point is that those who work with us are doing their best to ensure that we have quality work, but you also know that we are dealing with people who are on the cutting edge of their field. They are the experts. And they are not only doing their best to do the work, but they are also making it possible for us to provide exactly the type of remodeling work that we all need.