BIL Goes On A Vacation In The Middle Of Renovations, Comes Back To See His Gift For Help Gone

Being a homeowner comes with the challenges of upkeep of your home. Recent data shows that 80% of homeowners in the UK are saving for some kind of home improvement project. One of the most popular rooms to renovate is the kitchen, as 27% of homeowners say they renovated their kitchens in 2022.

This couple finally saved up for a new kitchen and asked their brother-in-law and his company to do the job. Yet, they soon found out that family and renovations don’t go that well together, as the BIL ditched the renovations and went on a holiday.

Having to live in a house that was half destroyed, the husband chose to serve the BIL some petty revenge.

A couple asked their BIL’s company to carry out their kitchen renovation

Man in a blue cap applying plaster on wall during kitchen renovation, representing revenge and renovation themes.

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

They soon regretted it when he suddenly disappeared mid-renovation

Husband takes revenge on brother-in-law who starts kitchen renovation then leaves for vacation.

Text excerpt about hiring a builder from brother-in-law leading to kitchen renovation and family conflict.

Text describing a kitchen renovation in progress with missing kitchen and bathroom, highlighting a brother-in-law who goes on vacation.

Kitchen renovation in progress with exposed beams, construction debris, and tools inside an empty room.

Image credits: Stefan Lehner / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text describing being ghosted with no replies or updates, followed by sudden vacation during a kitchen renovation project.

Text on a white background about a flat being unliveable due to no kitchen or bathroom, causing two weeks of couch surfing.

Text describing a husband’s revenge on BIL who starts kitchen renovation then goes on vacation, causing delays in work.

Text image showing a complaint about a delayed kitchen renovation with minimal progress after five weeks.

Man working on kitchen renovation, shaping a wooden board with a hand tool in a bright workshop setting.

Image credits: Samuel Cruz / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt about an IKEA butcher’s block in the kitchen, related to kitchen renovation and revenge story.

Text excerpt describing a conversation about the new kitchen renovation and plans for its removal after completion.

Butcher’s block perfectly sanded, oiled, and polished during kitchen renovation while bathroom remains half-installed.

Text on white background reading I snapped. I dragged the thing outside, took a hammer to it, and smashed it to bits, referencing kitchen renovation revenge.

Man frustrated over kitchen renovation problems, wearing glasses and plaid shirt, sitting indoors with plants in background

Image credits: Faruk Tokluoğlu / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt showing a husband’s reaction of confusion and disappointment after a kitchen renovation and vacation by his brother-in-law.

Text describing a kitchen renovation delay caused by family involvement, highlighting regret and unfinished tasks.

Image credits: Lovethosebeanz

Many homeowners DIY their home improvement projects or ask family members for help to save money

Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes / unsplash (not the actual photo)

It’s not unusual to ask family members for help with renovations. According to a survey by Frontdoor, 40% of DIYers call a family member when a project goes south. And many younger people choose to do their renovations themselves, as 64% of homeowners aged 18-34 say they do so to save on labor costs.

However, a huge portion of people also don’t shy away from hiring professionals. According to a 2024 poll by Statista, 40% of homeowners hired a contractor to carry out their renovations. Specialty service providers, such as electricians, were the most popular (49%), as most folks probably don’t want to risk messing that up.

But general contractors (29%) got hired often as well. 22% of the respondents also said they chose to hire a design-related specialist, such as an interior, landscape, kitchen/bath, or lighting designer.

Yet, it makes sense that people would want to save on home improvement as much as they can. Last year, 45% of homeowners spent more than $5,000 on renovations, and 36% spent $10,000 or even more. A whopping 63% said they had to take on debt to cover the costs of their home improvement projects.

Asking family members to do home renovations may result in hurt feelings, disrespect, and a poorly done job

Image credits: Annie Gray / unsplash (not the actual photo)

While getting family members involved in your home renovations can be easier on your wallet, it may cost you a lot of nerves. There are several things that may go south when a brother-in-law, dad, or other relative does your home improvements.

• It could seriously damage your relationship. Family members may feel more comfortable with giving you unwanted advice or forcing ideas on you. While professionals would carry out your vision without questioning it, family members might start suggesting things you’re not up for, resulting in a fight.
• They don’t see you as a boss. When you hire a contractor, they’re obligated to fulfill your vision. A family member that works as a contractor might not take this as a serious job and think of it as doing you a favor—even if they’re being paid.
• They may be (too) brutally honest. A professional avoids insulting their client and their taste. A family member doesn’t hold back, as it’s proven that we’re less likely to worry about insulting those who are close to us. A simple “Do you really want to go with that color?” might hurt your feelings more than anticipated.
• The quality of the renovations may suffer. Just like the BIL in this story did, some people may not take their family members’ renovations seriously. A paint job might end up with splashes and splotches on the floor, decorative brackets missing outside of the house, and more.

Although the wife initially pushed to hire her brother, she later regretted it, too

Reddit conversation about a husband’s revenge on brother-in-law after starting kitchen renovation and going on vacation.

Reddit users discuss a husband getting revenge on brother-in-law who starts kitchen renovation and goes on vacation.

“[Don’t] use family for these sort of jobs,” people in the comments advised

Reddit comment criticizing family involvement in a kitchen renovation and warning to be cautious with family jobs.

Reddit comment reacting to husband’s revenge on BIL after kitchen renovation left incomplete and BIL’s vacation.

Comment about family issues in kitchen renovation, highlighting frustration with a brother-in-law going on vacation mid-project.

Comment on Reddit post about contractor issues and lessons learned, related to kitchen renovation and revenge.

Screenshot of an online comment saying shame you couldn't have sold it, related to husband revenge on BIL kitchen renovation.

Comment about job abandonment and hiring someone else after brother-in-law starts kitchen renovation and leaves for vacation.

Comment suggesting buying a plastic cutting board with sticky paper as a revenge idea for kitchen renovation issues.

Screenshot of a reddit comment thread discussing a husband’s revenge on BIL who starts kitchen renovation then goes on vacation.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing kitchen renovation frustration and taking a hammer to unfinished work.

Reddit comment discussing a husband’s revenge on brother-in-law after kitchen renovation and vacation started.

Screenshot of an online comment reacting to a brother-in-law starting a kitchen renovation then going on vacation unexpectedly.

Comment on forum explaining the lesson of not hiring someone you can't fire with a focus on trust and experience.

Comment on a forum discussing husband revenge after brother-in-law starts kitchen renovation then goes on vacation.

Many had similar stories of being in “contractor hell” and shared them in the comments

Reddit user describes contractor nightmare during kitchen renovation causing major delays and frustration at home.

Comment about in-laws causing kitchen renovation delays and leaving during vacation, sparking husband revenge.

Text excerpt from an online story about a husband’s revenge involving a kitchen renovation and vacation plans.

Comment screenshot showing a user sharing a story about a husband’s revenge involving a kitchen renovation and vacation.

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