When I started redoing my bathroom, the first contractor tried to talk me out of every idea I had—said my tile choice was “impractical.” Ended up switching to someone who took the time to und...
Holding out for the right contractor really does pay off. I see this all the time—people settle for someone who’s “available now” but then end up frustrated when their vision gets sidelined. Listening is underrated in this field. Honestly, it’s not always about whether a tile is “impractical”; it’s about understanding why you want it and figuring out how to make it work. Sometimes the best spaces come from those initial “impractical” ideas.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I had a guy once try to convince me that my “budget-friendly” choices were basically a crime against design, but hey, my wallet disagreed. Good on you for sticking to your guns—sometimes the so-called “impractical” ideas actually end up being the coolest part of the whole project. If it makes you happy, it’s practical enough in my book.
I’ve run into that attitude a lot—people acting like there’s only one “right” way to do things, and if you’re not spending top dollar, you’re somehow doing it wrong. Honestly, I’ve seen plenty of high-end renos where the most expensive choices didn’t actually add much value or function. Sometimes the budget-friendly route is just smarter, especially if you’re planning to live with the space for a while or flip it down the line.
That said, I do think there’s a balance between saving money and making sure you’re not cutting corners where it matters. For me, finding reliable help is less about whether someone’s got the fanciest portfolio and more about whether they listen and actually respect your budget and ideas. I’d rather work with someone who’s upfront about what’s possible and isn’t just trying to upsell me on every little thing.
Curious—when you’re hiring someone for a reno, do you prioritize their design sense, or is it more about their communication and reliability? I’ve had contractors who were creative geniuses but couldn’t stick to a timeline to save their lives, which ended up being way more stressful than it was worth. On the flip side, I’ve worked with folks who maybe weren’t as flashy but got the job done right and on time. There’s always that trade-off.
Ever had someone try to talk you out of a “practical” choice because it wasn’t trendy enough? I once insisted on keeping some original built-ins in a house because they were solid wood and still in great shape. The designer wanted to rip them out for something more modern, but honestly, those ended up being what buyers loved most. Sometimes sticking to your guns pays off in ways you don’t expect...
- Honestly, I’ve seen that same push for “trendy” over practical so many times. Had a client last year who wanted to keep their 70s wood paneling—everyone told them to paint it white, but we just cleaned it up and styled around it. Ended up being the highlight of the room.
- For me, communication and follow-through always beat flashy design sense. I’d rather work with someone who answers texts and shows up when they say they will, even if their Instagram isn’t full of magazine-worthy shots.
- There’s definitely a balance, but I’d take reliability over “visionary” any day.
Had a client last year who wanted to keep their 70s wood paneling—everyone told them to paint it white, but we just cleaned it up and styled around it. Ended up being the highlight of the room.
Keeping original features is my kryptonite, honestly. I totally get the urge to paint everything white, but sometimes that old paneling or weird trim ends up being the coolest part of the room. “We just cleaned it up and styled around it. Ended up being the highlight of the room.” Love that.
Here’s my unscientific method for finding good reno help:
1. Ask neighbors who’s been around forever (if they’ve survived three winters, they’re probably reliable).
2. See if they actually listen when you talk about your home’s quirks—if someone rolls their eyes at your creaky floors, run.
3. Give them a tiny project first, like fixing a sticky window. If they show up and don’t act like it’s beneath them, you’re golden.
And yeah, I’ll take “answers texts” over “fancy portfolio” any day.
