Tip number one: Don’t. Just don’t do it. That’s the only advice I really feel qualified to give. So, fair warning to anyone reading this: the advice beyond this point reflects the attitude of a stressed-out layman whose sole desire is for this whole thing to be over with so I can properly relax outside of work instead of life being entirely work/managing renovations/sleep (sometimes.) Even the prospect of moving into the house pales compared to just being done with the renovations. Though… perhaps I should clarify a touch: If you want work/life balance, don’t DIY. I mean that. We’re doing some DIY, and it’s already more stressful than planning a wedding. If a wedding has some hiccups here and there, it’s a funny memory down the line. If a reno goes even slightly wrong, it’s a massive headache (and a lot of money) to fix down the line. Maybe, before we decided to try doing some things ourselves, I should have checked out The Homeowner’s Guide to Managing a Renovation. The opening sentence on the blurb is probably the most accurate advice you’ll get in this blog: “Major home remodeling isn’t for the faint of heart…”¹, though honestly, that feels like a kinder way of saying: Don’t do it.