I hate construction
October 22, 2026
I hate construction. When we built our second and third homes, it wasn’t fun, but at least there were parameters from the builders on some of the decorating choices. There were only so many colors, carpet swatches, tiles, and cabinet colors to pick from (or pay an arm and a leg beyond the extras I was already picking). Now that I am in the process of remodeling a bathroom and the kitchen in the condo I recently purchased, I am reminded – I hate construction.
This time, though, all the choices fall on me. The only limitation is my willingness to part with what is in my bank accounts. Being cheap and stingy doesn’t seem to be serving me well here. Nor does the fact that I really don’t care much about things like this.
I did know that I couldn’t live with the previous owner’s silver-blue-grey (with a tinge of purple) repainted cabinets nor could I live with the black accent walls in the bedrooms, or the black and brown bathroom. So, everything has been torn down to the studs. People ask if I am excited about the remodeling? I honestly admit that because I can’t envision the final product, I’m numb rather than excited. In the end, I tell them the truth.
I hate construction.
When it comes to writing, I’m just the opposite. I love getting words on paper and tinkering with them. Words are something I understand because I can visualize the final product whether it is a book or a short story. When I can’t imagine how it will look, I know more revision is necessary.
When I write, I lose myself. Time melts away – especially when the story is flowing. There is a feeling of satisfaction when the book or story works. Months or years later, I still feel good about my printed works. I don’t get that same feeling viewing my construction site. It seems a mess to me.
Perhaps, after I move in, there will be the same excitement and joy of opening a box of my books or holding a magazine that contains one of my stories, but for now, I hate construction. How about you?
Want to learn more about our author Debra H Goldstein? Visit her WEBSITE.
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Posted in Let's Talk, with Debra H. Goldstein • Tags: Debra H Goldstein, I hate construction, Let's Talk, writing | 6 Comments
I don’t like the disruption either during remodeling, or the many choices you have to make. But I love the end result! We did a lot of changes in this house when we moved in, and I am very happy with them. You will be too, when you see the finished look.
I totally relate to hating any kind of construction work being done in someplace I’m living. I can’t say that I’ve been in the position of having to decide what things will look like in the end, though I can imagine it would be quite stressful. Wishing you ease and speed in getting to the point that you are happy with the results!
I can sympathize with you! I get tired of construction quickly, especially when a project drags on or stalls out waiting for a part or a specialty piece of equipment. Worse, I usually try to keep up with the mess with an extra clean-up each evening. I am pretty good about covering furniture, removing wall hangings, etc so that they are not in the murder and mayhem zone.
I don’t know anyone who enjoys construction renovations except the contractors making money on them! We’ve been in our latest house 5-1/2 yrs. now, and we finally finished this year with everything that needed replacing or updating. It didn’t help that shortly after we moved in, the HVAC died in the middle of summer heat. The huge cost of replacing that set back everything on our non-essential to-do list.
Then we discovered a serious issue with the electronic components of our oven that could have set the house on fire. The oven was turning itself on! A diagnostic showed it had happened 9 times over the life of the oven but wasn’t something the home inspector would have caught. The cost of repairing the appliance was as much as replacing it.
I hate the inconvenience of remodeling. But I love the fact that I get to choose the paint and tile colors, cabinets ect. Over the last few years we have had both bathrooms and our kitchen remodeled and I just love the way everything looks. It was worth the inconvenience!
We live in a high-rise. It’s pretty quiet here, except when a neighbor is remodeling. The Worst was when the unit directly over us changed owners and the new ones tore out the gorgeous marble floors. The racket made by jackhammers was unbearable. But hang in there Debra, it’ll be nice to have bright new rooms once y our project’s finished.