September 2021

People have been working on their houses throughout this pandemic; that is for sure. However, our clients’ pricing and timeline expectations have varied from feeling that things should be discounted to feeling that they should be the same as before to understanding that pricing and schedules have increased and are fluctuating significantly with supply chain and demand issues. Receiving higher-than-anticipated estimates can be really tough on all of us—especially in this somewhat unpredictable climate—and it can trigger a lot of emotions.

Denial and Isolation: It’s difficult not to have an emotional reaction when initial estimates come back from contractors much higher than was anticipated. Some clients need to take some time to process the sticker shock of renovation costs, others turn to additional contractors to gather more bids.

Anger: It can be a challenge to feel like we can’t get all the things we want within our budget, and it can create feelings of anger and frustration. This is a normal part of the design process, as we all have budgets and parameters that limit what we are able to accomplish in our homes with the resources available to us.

Bargaining: After expressing frustration at these initial estimates, clients will then start to figure out what they can give up that was unthinkable just a few days ago: the roof deck that was an absolute must is now more of an option; the custom wide-plank flooring that was a critical item has now become an add alternate. This is a normal part of the process. Some of us feel embarrassed or angry but, really, value engineering, as we call it, is almost always part of the process of designing and constructing a home.

Depression: That feeling of “should we even do this project if we aren’t going to get everything that we want.” Buyers’ remorse can also be part of the process, where we get down on ourselves after having spent money on surveys, architecture, zoning lawyers, etc. and then wonder if we even have the heart to continue forward with the project if it is not going to be everything that we want.

Acceptance: Resolving the internal struggle of will this project be a good value, will we get most of the things that we want—not everything, but enough—and balancing our aesthetic desires with a financial budget are some of the things that we consistently deal with in our industry. Finding that balance and helping our clients achieve their dreams in a pragmatic way is what allows us to succeed from project to project.

One of the most challenging parts of a renovation, addition, or new construction is going from the excitement of dreaming about all of the things that one hopes to achieve, seeing the possibilities, and then having to marry that with the realities of the financial commitment it takes to achieve those dreams. At SKA we effort to be sensitive to our clients’ projects in both aesthetic terms, as well as in financial terms. A project that can be realized as a good value in both aesthetics and cost is a big win for the team as a whole.

Renovations, additions, new construction, all of it can be stressful. Let us help you put together a great team to tackle the challenges that come with it. If you would like to discuss a project, idea, or just say hi, please reach out to us. We are currently designing in Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Boston, Arlington, the North Shore, and the Lakes Region in New Hampshire.