would suggest that you do reno when you are around. your wife may not be able to handle it alone, the contractors can be difficult at times. also, 1st house reno must be discussed properly with your wife, so both of u have an agreement as to how it shld be. after reno, you will live in it for years, and the next reno will not come after ur next upgrade, so pls think over. unless you let ur wife have total say as to how it shld be, then no argument . my experience, my wife tells the contractors wht she likes, then I supervise them. so now after 10yrs, no complain