Being a homeowner comes with the challenges of upkeep of your home. Recent data shows that 80% of homeowners in the UK are saving for some kind of home improvement project. One of the most popular rooms to renovate is the kitchen, as 27% of homeowners say they renovated their kitchens in 2022.
This couple finally saved up for a new kitchen and asked their brother-in-law and his company to do the job. Yet, they soon found out that family and renovations don't go that well together, as the BIL ditched the renovations and went on a holiday.
Having to live in a house that was half destroyed, the husband chose to serve the BIL some petty revenge.
A couple asked their BIL's company to carry out their kitchen renovation
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
They soon regretted it when he suddenly disappeared mid-renovation
Image credits: Stefan Lehner / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Samuel Cruz / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Faruk Tokluoğlu / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Lovethosebeanz
Many homeowners DIY their home improvement projects or ask family members for help to save money
Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes / unsplash (not the actual photo)
It's not unusual to ask family members for help with renovations. According to a survey by Frontdoor, 40% of DIYers call a family member when a project goes south. And many younger people choose to do their renovations themselves, as 64% of homeowners aged 18-34 say they do so to save on labor costs.
However, a huge portion of people also don't shy away from hiring professionals. According to a 2024 poll by Statista, 40% of homeowners hired a contractor to carry out their renovations. Specialty service providers, such as electricians, were the most popular (49%), as most folks probably don't want to risk messing that up.
But general contractors (29%) got hired often as well. 22% of the respondents also said they chose to hire a design-related specialist, such as an interior, landscape, kitchen/bath, or lighting designer.
Yet, it makes sense that people would want to save on home improvement as much as they can. Last year, 45% of homeowners spent more than $5,000 on renovations, and 36% spent $10,000 or even more. A whopping 63% said they had to take on debt to cover the costs of their home improvement projects.
Asking family members to do home renovations may result in hurt feelings, disrespect, and a poorly done job
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While getting family members involved in your home renovations can be easier on your wallet, it may cost you a lot of nerves. There are several things that may go south when a brother-in-law, dad, or other relative does your home improvements.
- It could seriously damage your relationship. Family members may feel more comfortable with giving you unwanted advice or forcing ideas on you. While professionals would carry out your vision without questioning it, family members might start suggesting things you're not up for, resulting in a fight.
- They don't see you as a boss. When you hire a contractor, they're obligated to fulfill your vision. A family member that works as a contractor might not take this as a serious job and think of it as doing you a favor—even if they're being paid.
- They may be (too) brutally honest. A professional avoids insulting their client and their taste. A family member doesn't hold back, as it's proven that we're less likely to worry about insulting those who are close to us. A simple "Do you really want to go with that color?" might hurt your feelings more than anticipated.
- The quality of the renovations may suffer. Just like the BIL in this story did, some people may not take their family members' renovations seriously. A paint job might end up with splashes and splotches on the floor, decorative brackets missing outside of the house, and more.
Although the wife initially pushed to hire her brother, she later regretted it, too
"[Don't] use family for these sort of jobs," people in the comments advised
Many had similar stories of being in "contractor hell" and shared them in the comments
