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With more free time on our hands than ever, and most of it spent in the comfort of our homes, people are seizing the opportunity to renovate their houses. But not everything that looks simple, yet splendid on those countless craft videos on YouTube, is so in reality. In fact, oftentimes it goes quite to the contrary.

From renovating and realizing you just removed a load-bearing wall and putting a nice decoration over the toilet only for it to drop all over, to felling cabinets as if there was some meteor shower, these are some of the most “thank god, it’s not me” home improvement efforts.

Have you had some renovation disasters similar to these? Hit us in the comment section below!

#1

When You Live In Svalbard, Norway And Forgot To Close The Window To The Home Office

When You Live In Svalbard, Norway And Forgot To Close The Window To The Home Office

Kjakan Report

#2

What Happens When You're Renovating And Remove A Load-Bearing Wall

What Happens When You're Renovating And Remove A Load-Bearing Wall

pf3 Report

There are seemingly an infinite fountain of readily available resources to help do-it-yourselfers, such as books with step-by-step instructions and online how-to videos. In the past five years, the demand for such videos has boomed since most people have realized it’s easy to save some bucks handling cosmetic improvements alone. Those who tried and succeeded have gone on to more complex endeavors like installing tiles or replacing countertops.

And with so much free time on our hands, more and more people are willing to try out and undertake home projects that they feel comfortable with. The last part is crucial, since making a spontaneous decision when you haven’t a single clue on what you’re about to be doing is a red flag that you may be better off without doing it yourself.

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#4

Spraying Weed Killer Instead Of Weed N Feed

Spraying Weed Killer Instead Of Weed N Feed

hilltophermit Report

#5

Main Water Valve Was Not Shut Off For The Winter In A Cabin

Main Water Valve Was Not Shut Off For The Winter In A Cabin

kentiiboyy Report

#6

My Wife Said Measure The Door, I Told Her All Doors Are The Same Size...

My Wife Said Measure The Door, I Told Her All Doors Are The Same Size...

BlahMehUgh Report

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Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You will never hear the end of it... now even if you're screwing in a lightbulb, she'll have to sign off on that

Rick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“How many people does it take to screw in a lightbulb?” “If they’re competent at things like measuring doors, then one.”

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put your ego aside and listen to your wife from now on. Just consider it a hard lesson hard learned.

...
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what you get when you think 1) I'm a man and I know everything about renovating and 2) women don't know sh*t about renovating. Yeah, I used to be married with a guy like this. (His lack of knowledge about renovating doesn't have anything to do with the fact we separated though.)

Fluffy Griffin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We added on to our house. Turns out that even professionals aren't infallible (because they often like to cut corners) and sometimes maybe the men should just maybe check to see if the woman is right. Google or something. Now living with so many avoidable problems. Siiiigh.

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Elaine Mattingly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrong. People who never consider others ideas are wrong. Men just seem a little hesitant to reconsider their own ideas.

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Sharon Ingram
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Own it, everybody has a moment like this. Just own it first and laugh.

JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her: "Honey, we need to measure the door" Him: "well, you see dear, you don't need to because doors are all the same size" Is this what they call "mansplaning"?

Solidhog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call it built in ventilation. Or an anti-home invader measure to stop them hiding behind doors.

Ziva Kravdahl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I have customers buying blinds, when I am asking about measurements who telling me "just regular window"...

Jace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You were wrong. She was right. Have you learned anything important from this?

Leodavinci
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gonna call BS on this one. Difference in door width would be evident as soon as door was placed upright in doorway to mark it for hinge placement.

Whatshername
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course it would. But where's the fun in that? I would hang it myself just to point out to him how wrong he was and how right i was 🤣

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Aldhissla VargTimmen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought all doors where standard measure too when I bought some insectscreen door... Until my husband asked me if I had measured to make sure it would fit. I then sent him back to the store to return it with the story of his wife who was not clever enough to measure first :D

Raven Sheridan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soooo....honey. You remember when I said all doors were the same size? Wellll....

Chanelle Knapp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know how anyone would even think this. I have at least 3 different sizes of doors in just my house, ranging between 2' and 3'. Most doors are the same HEIGHT, but the widths vary.

Elaine Mattingly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have the decency to at least consider a person's suggestion. Now measure the door and try again.

Romery Wells
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"all doors are the same size" well. always listen to your wife i guess

Prideless
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Ross Keim
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Wait, so you bought a door, took it out of its frame and then just put it on the old door frames hinges.... talk about a right way and a wrong way

SoozeeQ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know where you're from, but in Australia, doors don't come with frames. You build that around the size of the door. So, it's perfectly normal to just buy the door. However, you do generally measure the doorframe, to avoid these kind of incidents. If he'd listened to his wife, he could have bought a door that fit his doorframe, rather than just buying the first door he found (probably the cheapest - but it didn't turn out cheap, if he has to replace it).

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To avoid renovation disasters that are unfortunately all too common, Bruce Irving, an independent renovation consultant and real estate agent from Cambridge, Massachusetts, suggests not rushing renovations if you just bought a new house. “Learn its flow, where the groceries land, where the laundry wants to go, how the sun hits it, where the choke points are, which way the rain slants, even get a sense of its soul,” he argues.

#7

A Friend Sent Me This Picture Today

A Friend Sent Me This Picture Today

"Wife went to get the Christmas tree from the attic. Told her not to step on the drywall. She later admitted she didn't know what drywall was"

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#8

It’s So Hot In Australia, Our Outdoor Lights Melted

It’s So Hot In Australia, Our Outdoor Lights Melted

disnerdbeth Report

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The second crucial thing is being realistic about the renovation budget. “If you don’t have the funds,” cautions Irving, “cut the job back. If you happen to beat these projections, then your surprises are happy ones.” A good rule to follow is to always add 20 percent to what you think the project will cost, and make sure that it will very likely take much longer than you initially realize.

#9

The Little Nail That Could And Two Hammers That Couldn't

The Little Nail That Could And Two Hammers That Couldn't

-herekitty_kitty- Report

Sometimes things are better entrusted to pros. “You are about to spend more than you ever thought possible. It might as well be for a correctly-designed thing,” Irving says. Hiring an interior designer or an architect from the start will prevent you from making bad decisions that will cost you too much to fix.

#11

Went Down To The Basement To Do Laundry...

Went Down To The Basement To Do Laundry...

drkwtrs Report

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#12

Wife Bought A New Plant Pot And Put It On The Shelf Over The Toilet. And Hour Later We Heard A Crash...

Wife Bought A New Plant Pot And Put It On The Shelf Over The Toilet. And Hour Later We Heard A Crash...

hinrichs98 Report

Here’s another tip. No matter how much we’d like to think we know things best, there are things that we truly have no idea about, and it’s fine. Realizing that asking questions will make the process smoother and more efficient is another simple trick to make your renovation work. Pretending that you know stuff, like reading blueprints, is not an option, especially when it’s you who are paying the money.

#13

Kitchen Cabinets Decided To Yeet Themselves At 4 In The Morning

Kitchen Cabinets Decided To Yeet Themselves At 4 In The Morning

weeJwontC10 Report

However, changing things around as you go with remodeling is also a no-go. Sticking to the plan, listening to the pros, and trusting your gut are things that should guide you through the process no matter what. Don’t let yourself get carried away by some way nicer paint for the kitchen walls, because there are always better things out there.

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#15

Time To Move, I Guess

Time To Move, I Guess

Missburr Report

#16

A Storm Came Through. The Plastic Furniture Barely Moved But The Grill Blew 30 Ft Into The Pool

A Storm Came Through. The Plastic Furniture Barely Moved But The Grill Blew 30 Ft Into The Pool

sleepybuddha44 Report

#18

I Now Remember That Yesterday I Wanted A Cool Soda

I Now Remember That Yesterday I Wanted A Cool Soda

dim-pap Report

#19

My Fire Alarm Caught On Fire

My Fire Alarm Caught On Fire

aeon_city Report

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ThatOneCrazyFanGirl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*popcorn kernels start popping* If you don't get it, read "50 Of The Dumbest Life Hacks These People Discovered That Actually Work (New Pics)"

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#20

Got Up In The Middle Of The Night To Get A Drink Of Water, And When I Opened The Fridge The Door Fell Off In My Hand

Got Up In The Middle Of The Night To Get A Drink Of Water, And When I Opened The Fridge The Door Fell Off In My Hand

ItsMeMurphYSlaw Report

#21

Friend Of Mine Posted This Photo Of The Job Site Today

Friend Of Mine Posted This Photo Of The Job Site Today

rabaful Report

#22

Slipped In The Shower, Landed On The Toilet

Slipped In The Shower, Landed On The Toilet

Bonsonoptic Report

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Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My biggest fear is slipping in the bathroom, hitting my head and getting immediately paralyzed and dying a slow death since I live alone and no one actually knows where I live

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#23

When Your Cabinet Decides It’s Time To Break Lose And Come Crashing Down The Day You Install Your Brand New Glass Top Stove

When Your Cabinet Decides It’s Time To Break Lose And Come Crashing Down The Day You Install Your Brand New Glass Top Stove

thorisadog Report

#24

110+ Mph Derecho Winds Impale House With Lawn Chair, Iowa 8/10

110+ Mph Derecho Winds Impale House With Lawn Chair, Iowa 8/10

johntaylorsbangs Report

#25

And The Job Went To The Lowest Bidder...

And The Job Went To The Lowest Bidder...

MisterT12 Report

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Misty Grage
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Contractors did the same thing on my moms house - they did actually cut a hole and then covered it with tar paper and placed the vent elsewhere!

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#26

When Your One Piece Sink/Counter Randomly Explodes At 3am

When Your One Piece Sink/Counter Randomly Explodes At 3am

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#27

After Losing 1/3rd Of My Weight, I Finally Didn't Feel Too Fat Anymore. The Toilet Disagreed

After Losing 1/3rd Of My Weight, I Finally Didn't Feel Too Fat Anymore. The Toilet Disagreed

Mayungi Report

#28

I Think I’m Going To Need A Bigger Bucket

I Think I’m Going To Need A Bigger Bucket

TheNightMan5000 Report

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Jozie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sorry, i laughed heehee you do need a bigger bucket! 😂😂😂

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#29

Saw This On Fb With Someone Asking For A Contractor

Saw This On Fb With Someone Asking For A Contractor

King_Baboon Report

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#31

Someone In My Town Fell 30’ Down A Well Through The Floor Of Their House They Didn’t Know Existed. Literally A Well That Sucked

Someone In My Town Fell 30’ Down A Well Through The Floor Of Their House They Didn’t Know Existed. Literally A Well That Sucked

ItsJustGrandpa Report

#32

Governor Just Ordered All “Non Life Sustaining” Businesses To Close, Including Construction And Contractors. This Is The Current State Of My Only Bathroom...

Governor Just Ordered All “Non Life Sustaining” Businesses To Close, Including Construction And Contractors. This Is The Current State Of My Only Bathroom...

CarsonWentzylvania Report

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Johnny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now you have a squat toilet -- a rarity in the USA but quite common in some countries.

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#33

We Got Our Doors Painted During A Remodel And The Painters Forgot To Put The Plastic Covering On The Ground

We Got Our Doors Painted During A Remodel And The Painters Forgot To Put The Plastic Covering On The Ground

JosephKirwan Report

#34

Been Waiting 6 Weeks For A Rather Expensive Toilet So We Can Fit It At A Client's House, It Has Finally Arrived

Been Waiting 6 Weeks For A Rather Expensive Toilet So We Can Fit It At A Client's House, It Has Finally Arrived

tommygun1234567890 Report

#35

Cabinet Fell Off The Wall While I Was Out. Handmade Dishes I've Collected From Little Shops And Farmers Markets Over The Years, Now Shattered. I Guess It's Fine I Don't Have Dishes Anymore, Since The Cabinet Knocked Open The Fridge Door, Ruining All My Food

Cabinet Fell Off The Wall While I Was Out. Handmade Dishes I've Collected From Little Shops And Farmers Markets Over The Years, Now Shattered. I Guess It's Fine I Don't Have Dishes Anymore, Since The Cabinet Knocked Open The Fridge Door, Ruining All My Food

bbclit Report

#36

Bought A House In July And They Graciously Left Me A Mini Fridge In The Basement, After Moving All My Beer And Alcohol Downstairs I Discovered It Was Infact A Freezer

Bought A House In July And They Graciously Left Me A Mini Fridge In The Basement, After Moving All My Beer And Alcohol Downstairs I Discovered It Was Infact A Freezer

joeldor Report

#37

I Just Broke The Door Handle Of My Appartement And Cut Myself. I'm Also Locked In

I Just Broke The Door Handle Of My Appartement And Cut Myself. I'm Also Locked In

Kyscool Report

#38

A Tree Tipped Over Onto My Apartment

A Tree Tipped Over Onto My Apartment

OddFromEvryAngle Report

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#39

My Roof Caved In Last Night

My Roof Caved In Last Night

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#40

I Have Two Outlets In My House (Bought 2 Years Ago) That Don't Work. Purchased 2 New Outlets To Replace Them. Turns Out There Are No Wires To Connect Them To!

I Have Two Outlets In My House (Bought 2 Years Ago) That Don't Work. Purchased 2 New Outlets To Replace Them. Turns Out There Are No Wires To Connect Them To!

angerybeaver Report

#41

Fiancé Was Being Thoughtful And Taking The Paint Cans To The Basement. Turns Out He Tried To Carry Too Much At Once...(Also We Just Bought This House And I’m Dying Inside)

Fiancé Was Being Thoughtful And Taking The Paint Cans To The Basement. Turns Out He Tried To Carry Too Much At Once...(Also We Just Bought This House And I’m Dying Inside)

Marleyyy_S Report

#42

Good Morning

Good Morning

reddit.com Report

#43

Guess I Don’t Actually Own A Queen Size Mattress

Guess I Don’t Actually Own A Queen Size Mattress

XBL_blue110 Report

#44

My Tenancy Ends Tomorrow After 2 Years In This Flat. Today, While Cleaning And Getting Everything Ready To Move Out, I Hit The Oven's Door And Broke The Glass. Bye Bye Sweet Deposit Money

My Tenancy Ends Tomorrow After 2 Years In This Flat. Today, While Cleaning And Getting Everything Ready To Move Out, I Hit The Oven's Door And Broke The Glass. Bye Bye Sweet Deposit Money

cheekibreekio Report

#45

My Brand New Smart TV Just Arrived!

My Brand New Smart TV Just Arrived!

sizzlekid Report

Note: this post originally had 73 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.

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