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February 2020
Dear, ,

February is here and love is in the air! Audrey Hepburn once said that "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." While home improvements may not seem like a romantic topic, we realize how undergoing a remodel can present challenges to the sense of harmony in some couple’s households. That’s why we have a timely article for you on thriving through a home remodeling project. Read more to find out some simple steps to make the process of having major renovations less stressful on your relationship.

We also have a blog for you on how adding an addition can help you fall in love with your home all over again. Moving is a huge hassle, especially in the current housing market with its limited inventory. If you need extra space for family or pursuits—a guest suite, an art or music room, a yoga studio, home gym, or office—we can help you create the perfect space that blends seamlessly with your home.   

The TW Ellis Family wishes you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sincerely,

Tim Ellis and the T.W. Ellis Team

Master CGP, GMR, CGR,CAPS, MDP

T.W. Ellis Can Give You the Addition of Your Dreams

Home additions are fantastic way to create more space for your needs. Maybe it’s time you created the sewing room you’ve always wanted or a mother-in-law suite. Perhaps it’s time for a gaming room or a music room—maybe even a home movie theater or an indoor basketball court! Let’s look at some ideas on why you need an addition and how to make that happen.

Additions Give You Space You Need
5 Tips for Thriving Together Through a Home Remodel or Build
You’ve signed a contract with a home builder or remodeling contractor, and it’s time to look forward to the home of your dreams, but even if you’ve hired an amazing company to do the work, there is going to be stress. If you’re living in your home while it’s being overhauled, that stress increases a thousand-fold. Your life may be a bit turned upside down if you have no kitchen access for weeks, or longer. Even if you’ve prepared your family for the upheaval, it can be particularly hard on couples.

According to a study published by Houzz, couples during remodels experienced high levels of frustration and "12 percent admitted to considering a separation or divorce mid-remodel." Before work begins on your dream home, here are some tips for navigating the stress most couples face when undertaking large building projects.

1. T
ake the Financial Aspect Out of the Equation…As Much as Possible

One reason these projects can be incredibly stressful is the amount of money being spent. Try to begin with a fixed budget for the project, giving yourselves a pre-planned buffer for emergencies which may spring up. Wanting to upgrade to something out of your price range is not an emergency. If your contractor finds that your wiring is unsafe and needs to be redone while working on your home, that is an emergency.

Agree not to make any financial decisions without consulting your significant other. This way, if there is a financial decision to make, it is made together. Each person gets to weigh in, negotiate, and feel heard.

2. Compromise: An Obvious, Yet Challenging Solution

Speaking of negotiation, compromising is often the key to a happy and healthy partnership, and it is also an important part of the design process. If your tastes, or priorities, are wildly different, the countless decisions to be made during a remodel or building job could have you at one another’s throats, or even questioning your compatibility.

Be prepared to compromise. If one person largely makes the design choices, and the other person has a strong preference or idea, it may be best to let that person have their say when they do chime in. Balanced decision making considers the preferences and opinions of both parties.

3. Go to Neutral Territory

Try to have stressful discussions away from the job site. There is something to be said for discussing anything stressful about a project while looking at the incomplete project. Our homes are seen as a reflection of ourselves, which may be one reason seeing a home partially built or remodeled can be so jarring. You may be asking yourself if you’re as big of a mess as your home currently is, and, at the time, you may feel that the answer is yes.

Get away from the construction zone: enjoy a meal out, spend some time hiking, or check into a hotel for a weekend to decompress. It’s important to also give yourselves a break from discussing the project so maybe make a conscious effort to set some ground rules. Simply say, "Let’s have this discussion somewhere neutral, ok?" or "Let’s take a break from the project, and while we’re gone, let’s not talk about it. Do you agree with that idea?"  

4. Spend Some Time Alone

In addition to checking into a hotel or taking a hike together, practicing personal stress reduction techniques are an excellent way to cope with tension and get some needed space from your partner. Take some time for yourself: reconnect to a hobby or stress reducer like exercise, meditation, or whatever practice brings you back to a state of equilibrium. You can rejoin your spouse feeling rejuvenated and prepared to navigate whatever challenges occur.

5. Celebrate Your Way to the Finish Line


If you really want to immerse yourself in the process of your project and you want to stay upbeat about any possible inconveniences to your day to day lifestyle, focus on the end goal. Get excited about your project again. Certainly, enthusiasm for getting the project finished and hopes that it would improve your life are some reasons you pursued having the work completed in the first place. If you find you and your partner are going into a negativity spiral, redirect the energy into fun visualizations of how amazing the end result will be, or plan a celebration in your new space after all of the work is completed.

Enjoy—Together!

Because your home is seen as a reflection of you, seeing the finished result of all of your sacrifice, comfort, and a lot of your dollars, is worth it. Now you have the ability to enjoy it with the person who sacrificed alongside you to make it happen.

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Contact
2243 Rock Spring Road
Forest Hill, MD 21050

410.420.0740
About Us
Since 2002, we have been a customer service oriented company that is fully committed to communication, industry certification, continuing education, and quality craftsmanship. You can depend on us to exceed your expectations for your project.
 
T.W. Ellis LLC | twellis.com
410.420.0740 | 2243 Rock Spring Rd | Forest Hill, MD 21050


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