If it works and looks decent, that’s good enough for me.
Same here, honestly. I used to obsess over every tiny gap or uneven line, but with these old houses you’d drive yourself nuts trying to get things “perfect.” At some point, you realize that nothing in a 100-year-old place is square, and chasing perfection just doesn’t make sense. I’m still picky about stuff that actually matters—like making sure things are level enough that doors close right, or plumbing doesn’t leak—but a little character in the trim or floors? Not worth losing sleep over.
I do try to keep my work neat and solid, but if the end result blends in with the rest of the house’s quirks, I call it a win. Sometimes, the “imperfections” end up being my favorite parts anyway.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I worked on a craftsman bungalow last year, and nothing was straight—walls, floors, you name it. At first I tried to fight it, but honestly, it just made me frustrated. Now I kind of love those little quirks. They tell the story of the house. I still make sure things are sturdy and safe, but if the baseboards have a tiny gap here or there, I just call it “vintage charm” and move on.
Title: How picky are you about checking your own reno work?
Man, I hear you on the “vintage charm” thing. I used to obsess over every little imperfection, but after spending a weekend trying to make 1920s plaster walls look laser-straight, I realized it’s a losing battle. Now if something’s off by a hair, I just tell myself it adds character. As long as nothing’s falling apart or actively trying to kill me, I’m good. Besides, if someone notices a tiny gap in the trim, they’re probably standing way too close anyway...
I get the whole “character” argument, but I can’t help myself—I notice every uneven joint or paint line, even if nobody else does. Maybe it’s just habit from years of fixing other people’s shortcuts. Last month, I spent an hour fussing with a door that was out of plumb by less than a quarter inch. Did it matter? Probably not. But it would’ve bugged me every time I walked by. Guess I’m just wired to sweat the details, even if the house is 80% quirks and 20% straight lines.
I get it—once you see those little flaws, it's impossible to unsee them. I’m the same way with trim work. Even if it’s just a hair off, it’ll drive me nuts until I fix it. Some folks say “good enough” is fine, but honestly, if you’re living with it every day, why not make it right? There’s nothing wrong with wanting things straight, even in a wonky house.