Are you married to a DIYer? A man who has to have a project to work on? Perhaps even MULTIPLE projects going on at one time?
You aren’t alone. I am too. If you are a couple who likes DIY projects and have kids this post will encourage and provide tips for these stressful times.
Maybe your spouse is the DIYER who has all the best intentions but you are just praying he will be able to completely finish just one project before he starts another.
While your DIYer is working on the project are you stressing about the budget?
My husband has to have a project. If not he will just sleep. I swear it runs in the family!
The best part is my husband is amazing at DIY projects. He’s super talented when it comes to fixing anything in our home. For that, I am often reminded is a HUGE blessing. One I take for granted many times.
We’ve been fixing up our homes and doing our own projects since we have been together. Which will be 11 years in 2019! WHOO HOO!
As a couple we have come a long way from the first projects we DIYED together.
I want to share with you some tips if you are right alongside your partner.
Figure Out the Budget Together for the DIY Project
This has to be the first step. Doing projects yourself will save you money if they are done correctly. I’m sure you have personal experience or heard from someone else, their little home project turned out to be a disaster.
You need to figure out your budget together. It has to be agreed upon. It will also hold you accountable to not go over the budget if possible.
Need free printables to start your budget? Go here.
Plan Together
Keep in mind if you choose to credit card this the stress
The credit card bill comes the next month and you may find yourself resenting the project in the first place. If you must use a credit card, make it a point to accept the fact and know you are going to put x amount on the card each month.
READ: How we Built our Barn Together Debt Free
Create vision plan together.
Have your spouse share with you the plan of the project. Ex. first, I’ll do this. That way you can see the timeline and follow along.
If this is a project where you deisgn and he executes be sure to allow the person to do their job.
A huge reason we choose to do all our own home renovations is cost. Keep in mind you may not have the extra money to hire someone but you do have the time. Check out our recent Kitchen Makeover here with
Set a Reasonable Timetable For The DIY Projects
So what if it takes you six months to finish something instead of three? What is the rush to have a kitchen or living room done in a matter of three months instead of 8?
Maybe it’s just not possible for your spouse to fit in a project at this season of life. When it comes to DIY projects really figure out together if it is a need
Always Always pray and ask if the time it is going to take to do the project is worth it at this point of time.
Example, your partner is up for a promotion or busiest time of year. Look at the whole picture and what you both can accomplish in this time frame.
Take a closer look at needs and wants.
Pray over your spouse and this project.
Budget for a Babysitter
If this is a smaller project it may be worth the idea of paying a babysitter for a couple days to help get the project finished.
Ask a neighbor or family member to take the kids. Even if your spouse doesn’t want you to help on the project you need a break from the kids too. You can keep your spouse and any of his crew happy with food!
Be Gentle
As a wife who has been there done that many times, let me gently remind you, to be gentle to your husband.
Is he the only one working on this DIY project? Is he learning a new skill? Many times I would assume my husband knew how to do something. I wondered why he couldn’t get the project done faster.
I didn’t realize sometimes it was his first time doing it. He was learning as he went. I was learning patience and humility.
Be thankful. It’s not you and I tearing down the walls or
One last tip, if you love decorating like I do, be careful with your choice of words on the decorating aspect.
What I mean is you may not have put into the budget new furniture, decor rugs
Here’s to a new DIY project being completed and to a new understanding of your relationship!
A beautifully written story, Tasia:-) You look like such a happy couple! I used to be like you, but I’m finding it harder and harder to do. We’re 20 years into this DIY house building project, I just turned 66, and I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll every be able to stop living in a travel trailer and move into my new home before I finally croak.
My husband is the most lovable, wonderful, smart, capable hard-working man anyone could ever want, but it’s about priorities, and he cannot seem to keep focused on the house. After all these years, I don’t blame him, but it has to be finished, or I’m starting to think about doing the unthinkable and moving away by myself.
I have tried everything–food support, gentle nudging, list making, begging, crying–I helped to physically build the stem walls, mix concrete, erect walls, but then he got to the roof and I couldn’t help with that. It’s finished and the upstairs is dried in, but so much remains to do–the turret and stairs, and putting in the windows and doors downstairs. Then, the electrical and HVAC. The plumbing is in, thank goodness, but nothing like fixtures or other interior stuff is even close yet.
I don’t have the physical or emotional strength for this anymore, and I’m feeling quite hopeless and mentally worn out with this project. Any suggestions you can offer? Fresh “eyes” and new perspectives are desperately welcomed.
End of Proverbial Rope
It sounds to me like there is a bigger reason he doesn’t want to finish it? And if not then he probably doesn’t want to mess with the electrical and HVAC stuff. Which can be complicated. I would discuss about coming up with a plan to hire someone else to finish up the work your husband doesn’t want to do. I would also make a list of what is a priority for the next three months and what is not. It helps to focus on one small job instead of all the jobs that need to be finished. I know in our case when we start looking at all the things to get done my husband and I both get overwhelmed and nothing gets done. Pick one project that needs to get done asap. Whether it be because of a saftey issue etc. I’m so glad you stopped by. I will be praying for you and your husband to find a way to weave through this project together and to feel like you are gaining traction instead of the opposite. You’ll have to stay in touch and let me know how things go 🙂