The Organized Approach to Home Building and Renovating – Part 1
Why It Feels So Overwhelming + The Decision Hierarchy That Simplifies Everything
“My brain just doesn’t think that way.”
That’s what a friend recently said to me, overwhelmed by the endless decisions in building her dream home. I could feel the frustration in her voice — and I completely understood.
I’ve built three houses from the ground up and completed four major renovations. I’ve also guided dozens of clients through their own home-building and remodeling journeys. And I can tell you this:
Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong. It’s a sign you’re in the thick of it.
When I built my first home 24 years ago, I was exactly where my friend is now — paralyzed by choices and making decisions from a place of stress. I second-guessed everything, from floor plans to grout colors, and wished someone could just tell me what actually mattered.
With every project, I learned more. By the third build, I had created systems that reduced stress, brought clarity, and helped me (and my clients) make smarter, faster, more confident choices.
Why Home Building and Renovating Feels So Overwhelming
Before we jump into solutions, let’s acknowledge why this process is so mentally exhausting:
Decision Volume: You’re making hundreds — sometimes thousands — of decisions in a short time.
High Stakes: Every choice feels expensive and permanent.
Time Pressure: Contractors need answers, and delays cost money. Information Overload: Pinterest, Instagram, and well-meaning friends offer endless — often conflicting — opinions.
No Clear Priorities: Without experience, it’s hard to know what matters now and what can wait.
I still remember standing in a tile showroom for three hours debating white subway tiles that all looked the same. That’s when I knew I needed a better way to organize my thinking.
The Decision Hierarchy
What Actually Deserves Your Energy
Not all decisions are created equal. This simple framework has helped me and my clients reduce decision fatigue and make confident choices:
Level 1: Structural & Systems (Hard to Change)
Give these decisions your full focus.
Foundation and framing
Plumbing and electrical layout
Window and door placement
HVAC and insulation
Why it matters: These choices impact how your home functions. Mistakes here are expensive to fix later.
Level 2: Major Fixed Elements (Costly to Change)
Important for daily function and comfort.
Kitchen and bathroom layouts
Built-in cabinetry or shelving
Flooring
Exterior siding or roofing
Why it matters: These impact how you live in your space and are tough (and pricey) to redo.
Pro tip: A skilled designer can help ensure everything works together and fits the scale of your space. It can save you time and money in change orders later (mine sure did).
Level 3: Finishes & Fixtures (Easy to Update)
Nice to get right, but you can always change them.
Paint colors
Lighting
Cabinet hardware
Faucets
Why it matters: These affect style but not structure. "Good enough" here is good enough.
Level 4: Decorative Elements (Change Anytime)
Decisions you can make after move-in.
Furniture
Art and accessories
Window treatments
Landscaping details
Why it matters: These evolve with your life — no need to stress over them during construction.
