For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on getting quotes for a major home renovation project that includes replacing 2 sliding glass doors with French “garden” doors, replacing a 3rd set of sliding doors with a set of windows and replacing 4 other windows. I’ve done a fair bit of internet research reading through vendor websites, watching YouTube videos, digging through DIY/home improvement/contractor forums and reading reviews.
It’s a big project for me. If I do it, I want to choose a decent contractor, suitable products and not get ripped off on price.
I’ve had several contractors onsite and have received quotes from 4 contractors. After meeting with the salespeople, considering the other information I gathered and evaluating the quotes, I’m very close to pulling the trigger with one. At present, I’m waiting for one final quote to make my decision.
Yesterday, I was thinking, “This was better when I had my wife beside me to help make decisions.”
We’d bounce ideas off of each other. She’d check my natural tendency to cheap out while I’d curb her natural inclination to choose luxury products that didn’t fit our lifestyle and budget. More impotently, it was nice to have someone to talk about what we were thinking about, if the ROI made sense and what was important to us.
Then, a few moments later I had another thought. “Even though I miss my wife, this isn’t so bad on my own.”
I learned over our 29 years together, multiple home renovation projects and many big financial decisions, I am fully capable of handling this on my own. I know what I like and what I don’t. I’m confident in my ability to handle vendors and to deal with sales people who might be aggressive or manipulative.
I’m actually pretty good at it.
I’ve learned a lot about doors, windows, contractors and pricing through this process. The quotes I have received are all remarkably consistent in terms of product, process and price range.
I wish I could find a way to do this cheaper and faster while ensuring I don’t end up with crappy doors and windows. So far, that has proven to be a fantasy.
In the end, I’ll make the best decision I can and will live with the consequences – good or bad.
It will be fine.