Reno Lessons Bryan Baeumler Learned

Many of you watched Sarah and I build our house in the sticks – there are so many fond memories that came from it, not to mention a number of lessons learned along the way. Here are some key takeaways of mine to keep in mind, especially if you’re planning a new build any time soon!

Bryan Baeumler is one of HGTV Canada’s go-to contractors and the host of Bryan Inc., House of Bryan, Island of Bryan and Leave it to Bryan.

Published January 4, 2018, Updated March 8, 2020

HGTV Canada

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Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Planning a large-scale renovation comes with many decisions and a vast number of variables, so if you let the tiny details bother you, you likely won’t get the job done on time or on budget. Being detail-oriented is important, but you need to make sure you don’t get bogged down – it will just add more stress to every task!

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Stay Open-Minded

The phrase “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry” is something you should keep in mind when building. Planning is essential (which I’ll get to later on) but make sure you start the project with an open mind. Things will go wrong and plans will have to change, that is a promise. This happened almost every week when we built our home and we outlined every detail, so chances are it will happen to you, too.

HGTV Canada

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Don’t Live Through a Reno

If there is any possible way to avoid living in the house you’re building or renovating, do it! I’ve said this for years, but I didn’t listen to my own advice. We got through it, but it was tough and I wouldn’t recommend it.

HGTV Canada

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The More Tarps, the Better

If you’re building an addition, buy every tarp you can find! When we were tearing down the old structure to begin working on the new, we used so many tarps! They are so versatile and help keep everything waterproof – so make a line in your budget for them.

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Plan (Then Plan Again)

I know I already wrote about best-laid plans and it might seem contrary for me to now talk about planning when they’re ultimately going to change, but you still need to do it. When the research is done, make a plan for how the build will run. The more you plan, the more you will be prepared to change them.

HGTV Canada

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Take Care of What You Don’t See

We often visualize the final result when building a new home – in other words, the space’s overall aesthetic. But don’t forget to acknowledge the aspects you can’t see. When it comes to plumbing, electrical and insulation, do it right the first time and don’t cut corners.

HGTV.ca

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Combine Old and New

I’m so happy we decided to keep our home’s original exterior structure intact. It has become a focal point for the property; it reminds me of what existed before the reno and the entire process we went through. It’s always important to keep an eye on the past and preserve some of the home’s original features.

Construction worker adding insulation to slanted roof

HGTV Canada

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There’s a Solution to Every Problem

Don’t panic! There is always a solution. When it came to our vaulted ceiling, there was no way to make sure it was properly insulated. So we tore off the existing roof to add spray-foam insulation and then replaced the roof itself. This was a three-day job, but it solved a big issue and now the room is as energy efficient as can be.