Phased Renovations

It's much better to do many small renovations over a long stretch of time than one big project. Continuous improvements around the house give the feeling of growth. The improvements don't have to be big: some new blinds, a small painting, a few potted plants.

Even larger renovations like new flooring, carpeting, a garage door, etc. should be done in small batches. While you might be able to get a deal by bundling several improvements with one contractor, the quality of the job will decline the longer the job takes. Contractors are still only human and we can't expect them to do a job with the same zest that they had at the beginning of a 30 hour project. Breaking up jobs into smaller ones may cost a little more initially, but will yield higher value in the long run.

As well, small jobs are easier to control not only quality-wise but also financially. Setting aside a small amount of money every month for improvements will make spending more predictable.