You can plan a renovation down to the last detail. You can build a budget, create a schedule, line up contractors and know exactly what you want the finished project to look like.

And then a tree falls in the backyard.

That recently happened at one of our projects on Chaffee Lane along Lake Ontario. It wasn't part of the renovation plan. It wasn't something we scheduled. But suddenly, it was something that had to be dealt with.

That's construction.

Every Project Has a Plan — Until Something Changes

A good renovation should always start with a plan. You need a scope of work, a realistic budget and an idea of the order in which the work needs to happen.

But a good plan also needs room for the unexpected.

Don't Let One Problem Create Three More

When something unexpected happens, the first reaction is often to fix it as quickly as possible and get back on schedule.

Sometimes that's exactly what needs to happen. Other times, you need to stop and look at how the new problem affects the rest of the project.

1. Did it create additional damage?
2. Does it change the order of the work?
3. Is there something else that should be addressed while you're already dealing with it?
4. Does the budget need to be adjusted?
5. Does another contractor or specialist need to be involved?

The Budget Needs a Little Breathing Room

This is one of the reasons we don't like renovation budgets that use every available dollar before the project even begins.

That's rarely realistic, particularly with older homes.

Leaving room in the budget lets you make a good decision when something unexpected happens — instead of being forced into the cheapest immediate solution.

Adjust the Plan, Not the Goal

The tree at Chaffee Lane doesn't change what we're trying to accomplish with the property. It changes what we have to deal with along the way.

That's an important distinction.

Renovation projects don't have to follow the original plan perfectly to be successful. Sometimes the schedule changes. Sometimes money moves from one part of the project to another. Sometimes something that wasn't on the original list suddenly becomes the priority.

Expect the Unexpected

Whether you're remodeling the home you live in, preparing a property to sell or renovating an investment property, there will probably be a few bumps in the road.

When something unexpected happens, don't panic and don't automatically reach for the quickest fix.

Sometimes that's simply part of the job.