Why Clients Changing Their Mind Mid-Project is the True Test of a Remodeler’s Patience (and Sanity)

Ah, the joy of remodeling. The fresh scent of new paint, the sound of hammers pounding away, and the excitement of seeing a space transform before your eyes. But then, there’s the client. Yes, the client. The one who seems to think that every change of heart is just a minor adjustment that will “only take a few minutes.” Little do they know, in the world of remodeling, those “few minutes” are a one-way ticket to insanity.

Let’s dive into why clients changing their minds mid-project is like trying to build a house of cards in a windstorm—and how it turns into a comedic nightmare for everyone involved.

1. The “I Was Just Thinking…” Moment

You’ve just finished framing out the kitchen. The countertops are being installed. You’ve got the cabinets all lined up, and things are going according to plan. The client is happy. You’re happy. Everyone’s happy. You’re just a couple of days away from completion. Life is good.

And then it happens. The client strolls in with that look. That “I was just thinking…” look.

It’s almost like they have a sudden epiphany—an idea that just floated down from the heavens, and it’s absolutely vital to the success of the project. You know this is going to be bad. You can feel it in your bones.

“I was just thinking,” they begin, “what if we moved the entire kitchen to the other side of the room?”

You pause. “Wait, what? You want to move the entire kitchen?”

“Yes!” they say, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “It just seems like it might be better over there, don’t you think?”

Ah yes, the magical “I was just thinking” moment, where every architectural plan goes straight out the window, and you’re now redoing everything.

This was not part of the original plan. You try to smile, take a deep breath, and agree, all while silently screaming in your head, “Sure, let’s just move an entire kitchen that’s already been halfway installed! Easy-peasy!”

2. The “It’ll Just Take a Minute” Delusion

I don’t know what it is about clients and their perception of time, but whenever they suggest a change, they always seem to think it’ll be a quick fix. “It’ll just take a minute,” they say, with that cheery tone that makes you want to throw your tools at the wall.

Here’s the reality: A quick fix means a 30-minute conversation with the supplier, a two-hour wait for materials that are out of stock, and an entire day of labor to rewire, reinstall, and redo everything you’ve already done.

But to the client? Oh, it’s just a “small change.” They might as well be asking you to move the Eiffel Tower just because they’re not “feeling the vibe” of where it’s standing.

You’re left with the sweet, sweet feeling of having just wasted a few hours of your life on what should have been an easy task, but instead has now become a deep dive into a logistical nightmare.

3. The “What If We Just…?” Curveball

You’re almost there. The room’s been demoed, the flooring’s been laid, and the walls have fresh paint on them. Everything is looking crisp and clean. You can almost taste the sweet victory of completing this job—until they drop the “What if we just…?” bomb on you.

They’ll give you a look that says, “This is genius,” and then pitch their new idea.

“I was thinking, what if we made the bathroom sink a waterfall feature?” Or, “What if the entryway had an indoor pond with a koi fish?" Or, my personal favorite: “Can we add a secret trapdoor that leads to a hidden room, like in The Da Vinci Code?”

You blink. Then, you blink again.

“Um, sure,” you say, knowing full well that this will now require architectural blueprints, a plumber who’s about to quit, and possibly a team of engineers. But hey, at least they’re happy, right?

And when they ask if they can still have it done in two weeks, you smile tightly and nod, your heart crying a little inside.

4. The "I Don't Like It Anymore" Moment

This one is the classic. You’ve spent days—no, weeks—working on a particular design element. You’ve been meticulous. You’ve made sure everything’s perfect. And just when you think you’ve reached the finish line, they come in and stare at the countertop, the backsplash, or the light fixture you’ve worked so hard to get just right.

And then the words: “I don’t like it anymore.”

You freeze. You blink. Did you hear that right? “You don’t like it?”

But of course, you have to ask the follow-up question: “What don’t you like about it?”

They’ll give you an answer that is vague, illogical, or downright confusing. “I just think it needs more… I don’t know… something.” Oh, great, that helps.

Now, you’re stuck. You’ve already ordered the materials, spent time installing it, and now they want it changed. Your mind races through all the options: reordering, reinstalling, changing your entire approach, and praying that you’ll somehow still get paid for the hours you’re about to waste.

5. The “But I Saw It on Pinterest” Dilemma

Here’s the ultimate kicker. It’s that sweet moment when the client says: “I saw this amazing design on Pinterest, and I have to have it.” You’ve already started working on something totally different, but Pinterest just ruined everything.

You glance at the Pinterest board they’ve shown you. It’s the most complicated, impractical design you’ve ever seen. It involves 17 different colors, five types of tile, and a chandelier made of recycled wine bottles that somehow also doubles as a hammock.

“I just thought it would look great!” they say innocently, as though your life hasn’t just been turned upside down.

You smile weakly. “Of course, we can do that. No problem.” You’re secretly calculating how many trips to Home Depot you’ll have to make and how much overtime you’ll need to charge them for this disaster.

Conclusion: The True Hero of Remodeling Is… Patience

In the end, remodeling is like a never-ending sitcom. There’s a lot of chaos, some questionable decisions, and the ever-present threat of changing plans. As a contractor or remodeler, you have to be part construction expert, part therapist, and part magician to make it all come together.

But at the end of the day, what keeps us going is the satisfaction of a job well done—or, at the very least, the hope that we’ll survive the next round of “What if we just…?”

So, to all the clients out there: We love you. We really do. But please, for the sake of our sanity, let’s stick with the original plan for just a little while longer. Otherwise, we might need to start charging extra for every “small” change.