Preconstruction Anxiety

DEAR TIM: My wife and I are getting ready to start a large room addition project. We are both experiencing anxiety. Our contractor is as cool as a cucumber. Is this normal? A. N.

DEAR A. N.: Generally speaking, yes. Your feelings of anxiety are well founded. The project you are facing is complex and will be very disruptive.

You will have to make numerous decisions. Sometimes, you will not be given much time to think about them.

You will host strangers on a daily basis. Your normal daily routine will be disrupted. There possibly will be massive quantities of dust.

Your contractor, on the other hand, does this for a living. He is accustomed to the difficulties. He will hopefully deal with them so as to minimize the disruption you will experience.

If you have selected a good contractor, his "cool as a cucumber" attitude is probably a result of his confidence.

If you are unsure, ask him pointed questions as to how he intends to deal with your concerns. Hopefully, his answers will relieve your anxiety.