Another reason to thnk before remodeling your home...

Here's an interesting Press Release of Jul 31, 2013, from the people at Houzz.com on a survey that they did concerning the stress that a home remodeling project can put on couples.

Houzz Survey Unveils Happy Ending to the Turmoil as 84 Percent of Couples Spend More Time at Home Post-Remodel - Remodeling Causes Relationship Woes: 12 Percent of Couples Admit to Considering Separation or Divorce Mid-Remodel.

Remodeling a home can be an emotionally stressful experience, putting strain on even the strongest couples. Pulling back the covers on remodeling and relationships, a new survey from Houzz (www.houzz.com), the world’s leading platform for home remodeling and design, reveals that while 46 percent of respondents found the remodeling and redecorating process with their significant other

to be collaborative, the same amount found the experience frustrating and 12 percent admit to considering a separation or divorce mid-remodel. In the end, there’s no place like a remodeled home, with the vast majority of couples (84 percent) spending more time at home after their remodel.

Conflicting style is a major source of stress as one third of respondents do not like their significant other’s design style. They’re not shy about telling their partner, either with 76 percent sharing their opinion with their significant other. But honesty doesn’t help get rid of some of their partner’s favorite items. Forty-two percent of respondents reported being stuck with items they hate but aren’t allowed to get rid of – yet one in five has gone ahead and removed a significant other’s item without telling them. Forget knickknacks, the most common item creating clashes is old furniture, followed closely by posters and artwork. Some of the other hated items mentioned were antlers and other hunting trophies, wood paneling and old magazines.

While the majority of respondents describe their process as collaborative, when couples can’t agree, some partners move ahead on their own. One in five respondents have made a significant decision during the remodel process without telling their partner, from tearing down walls and picking paint colors to choosing furniture and appliances.

Here are a few tips for keeping the peace – and even strengthening a relationship – during the remodeling and decorating process:

•Strike a style balance. Can’t see eye to eye on traditional vs. contemporary? Before you begin a project, browse photos on Houzz, create ideabooks with images you like and have your partner do the same. Then, have a date night to share each other’s ideabooks and look for commonalities that will establish the style for your project.
•Compromise or downsize. If you insist on tossing his mounted antlers, be prepared to give up something you hold dear. Conversely, if you’re not willing to let something go, be prepared to let him or her keep something you’re not a fan of either.
•Money matters. Money is already major pain point for many couples. Avoid adding this stress to your remodel by agreeing on a budget up front. Research costs for materials and projects early on and make a list of items that both partners need to approve such as wall color, kitchen appliances and electronics.

So, if you've been considering a remodeling project, especially a big, significant one; maybe you should read through those tips and have a good, honest meeting with your significant other before you jump into it. There is no amount of remodeling that I can think of that is worth losing your marriage over. However, I have to also admit that there is nothing that I can think of that is worth that anyway, and remodeling doesn't even show up on my radar. I suspect that this survey found a whole bunch of marriages that were already doomed before they embarked on remodeling projects. Anyway, caveat emptor - remodel at your own risk.