Building Beyond Chaos

Renovating a house is just like refactoring application code. The reasons for both are often obvious. The code becomes deprecated, outdated, and unsupported. It may have been poorly written, disregarding coding guidelines and conventions. As developers, we have undoubtedly encountered such situations more than once.

Similarly, when you undertake the renovation of a house, you face a similar challenge. However, unlike application technology, you likely made the choice to purchase the house. Over time, houses age and deteriorate, just like technology within an application can become deprecated or obsolete.

There's a famous Belgian expression, "Geboren met een baksteen in de maag," which translates to "Born with a brick in the stomach." It signifies the inherent love Belgians have for building and renovating houses, as if it's ingrained in our very DNA. And there is indeed some truth to it. I come from a family of DIY enthusiasts, where the art of construction runs deep. My grandfather excelled as both a mason and a carpenter, while my father possessed an impressive knowledge of all things electrical. Additionally, I had a few plumber uncles who contributed to our family's handy expertise.

When I was around ten years old, my parents bought a house at an incredibly low price. Its condition clearly reflected its affordability, as extensive renovations were required. I vividly recall spending the first few months sleeping on the living room floor, given the absence of a functioning bathroom or even a staircase leading to the second floor. From the very beginning, I eagerly lent a helping hand, tirelessly hauling bricks and pulling electrical wiring. It's remarkable how, at such a young age, I found myself wielding a hammer and grasping the workings of a leveler.

I owe much of my knowledge and skills to my beloved grandfather, who remains a hero in my heart. May he rest in peace.

After actively participating in numerous family house renovations spanning nearly two decades, I decided to embark on a new challenge: renovating a house of my own. However, it wasn't a deliberate choice on my part. Initially, the house I purchased appeared to be in decent condition, having undergone recent renovations. Unfortunately, I fell victim to the persuasion of a deceptive realtor who convinced me to make the purchase. In a hurried frenzy, I made the impulsive decision to buy it.

I find great joy in drawing parallels between refactoring "old" or legacy code and the act of pulling a loose thread from a carpet. Picture this: you have a carpet with a bothersome loose thread, and the temptation to pull it becomes irresistible. But, much to your surprise, what starts as a simple act of removing that thread soon leads to unraveling the entire carpet. This phenomenon holds true for software development and even the world home renovation.

In my case, it wasn't until a few months after settling into my new home that I began pulling at the metaphorical loose thread within its walls. Little did I know that I was unknowingly opening Pandora's box. My house turned out to be a veritable showcase of all the potential issues one could encounter in a dwelling. It seemed as though every possible problem that could afflict a house had found its way into mine.

As the temperature continued to drop, an undeniable chill permeated the air within my house, accompanied by an uncomfortable dampness. It became evident that the heating installation was woefully inadequate, unable to withstand the demands of winter. The situation reached its breaking point in December when the heating system succumbed to failure, leaving me in the cold.

Plumbing complications arose shortly after I had extensively used both the dishwasher and washing machine. The kitchen transformed into an unwelcome pool of water, flooding the area. In an unfortunate chain of events, the overload on the electrical system triggered the fusebox to blow, plunging the house into darkness. Determined to uncover the root cause of these issues, I delved into the intricacies of the electrical wiring, only to discover a startling truth. The wiring throughout the entire house was alarmingly inadequate, resembling nothing more than mere speaker wiring—far too thin to handle the electrical demands of a functioning home. In summary, the sheer magnitude of problems grew so pronounced that I could no longer turn a blind eye to the mounting issues plaguing my humble abode.

Initially, I attempted to address the house's issues by applying quick fixes and patching up small problems. However, these temporary solutions failed to yield the desired results. It became increasingly clear that the renovations carried out on the house were lacking in the true sense of the term. Many corners had been cut, resulting in a multitude of hasty and makeshift workarounds that fell far short of delivering lasting improvements. This unfortunate scenario mirrors the realm of software development more often than we would care to admit.

Imagine being introduced to a new project or inheriting one from a departing colleague, only to uncover a host of horrors that you never wished to encounter. People often resort to taking shortcuts, compromising quality in an attempt to save time and money. Yet, such decisions rarely pay off in the long run. It is disheartening when you inform the product owner of these issues, only to discover that this information was already known but deliberately brushed under the rug. Alternatively, it may come as a complete surprise, leaving everyone caught off guard.

Sometimes, the budget is depleted, leaving no room for starting afresh or even undertaking a modest makeover to restore a sense of decency. The unfortunate reality is that the consequences of these corner-cutting practices often manifest in the form of unresolved issues, lingering as reminders of the ill-advised decisions that led to their existence.

In my case, regarding my house, I made the difficult yet necessary decision to embark on a complete renovation from almost scratch. I understood that with my limited monthly budget, this undertaking would demand a substantial amount of time and patience. Nonetheless, I reached a point where I could no longer endure the current state of affairs. Renovating a house while simultaneously living in it is no easy feat, and careful planning regarding the order of the work to be done becomes crucial.

To facilitate the process, I relocated all essential belongings to the attic, as it was the last room on my renovation plan. I proceeded to strip the interior of the house, removing anything that wasn't permanently fixed. This included dismantling gas and water pipes as well as completely rewiring the electrical system. To my surprise, as I delved deeper into the renovation process, I stumbled upon even more hidden issues. Behind the drywall that had been installed to conceal the true state of the walls, a myriad of horrors awaited discovery. It was a grim revelation, but it further reaffirmed my decision to start anew, as the previous attempts were destined for failure.

While the journey ahead was undoubtedly challenging, I found solace in knowing that by starting from a clean slate, I could address the underlying problems and create a home that would stand the test of time.

The journey of renovating my house finally reached its conclusion after nearly a decade. Throughout this extensive period, I received unwavering support from my mother, and my wife, who entered my life at a later point in time. In addition, my closest friends lent a helping hand on several occasions, making the endeavor a shared experience. The end result filled me with immense pride.

Undoubtedly, the transformation came at a considerable cost, as I had invested a significant amount of money into the project. However, the financial sacrifices were overshadowed by the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that came with witnessing the fruition of my vision. Looking back on the extensive timeline and the challenges overcome, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of relief. The grueling task was finally behind me, and I could now bask in the joy of having created a home that reflected my dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to achieving the desired outcome.

Reflecting on my experiences in both software development and home renovation, I've come to realize the striking similarities between the two endeavors. The key lesson I've learned is the importance of preparation. While I tend to lean towards a more chaotic approach, I now understand the value of thorough planning, setting requirements, and having a clear design in place. Having a bird's eye view of the project can be intimidating, but it provides a solid foundation for progress.

Breaking down the work into smaller, manageable tasks and prioritizing them has proven to be a valuable practice. By tackling and completing each task one by one, a sense of accomplishment and progress is attained. This approach allows for a more tangible view of the journey and encourages motivation along the way.

In retrospect, one mistake I made during my house renovation was keeping everything in my head and not having a structured plan. I jumped between tasks without finishing them promptly, which resulted in a prolonged period without visible progress. It was a valuable lesson that taught me the importance of organization and tracking the completion of each task.

Undertaking a significant project like building or renovating a house is undoubtedly challenging, particularly when working on a limited budget and relying heavily on personal effort. I realized the value of seeking assistance from friends and loved ones, which not only lightens the burden but also fosters a sense of collaboration and shared accomplishment.

The journey of home renovation can take a toll on one's mental and physical well-being. Stress, exertion, and even moments of frustration are inevitable. However, the end result and the satisfaction of witnessing the transformation of a house into a home make it all worthwhile.

After over a decade of dedicated work, I made the decision to sell my renovated house and embark on a new chapter with my wife. While bidding farewell to the house stirred a sense of nostalgia, it was also a moment of closure. Seeing the new owner caring for the property and completing the small finishing touches brings me joy, knowing that my efforts have left a positive impact.

In the end, both software development and home renovation are journeys that require careful planning, perseverance, and adaptability. By embracing the lessons learned from these experiences, I continue to grow both personally and professionally, ready to face new challenges with confidence and wisdom.