The Extreme Condo Makeover That Barely Survived!

I recently took on what my husband Greg called an "impossible task": a total transformation of our Provo condo in just 15 days. This condo holds a lot of memories; Greg bought it back when he was a bachelor and lived there before we were married. It’s a modest, three-bedroom space with great bones and a beautiful view of the valley, but after years of being a rental, it desperately needed a refresh to meet the current market rate.

The Mission and the Math

Our goal was to increase the rent from $1,300 to $1,800 a month. To make that jump, we set an original budget of $10,000. I’ll be honest—we went a little over. Between the tight 15-day turnaround and needing to purchase a new washer and dryer that wasn't in the initial plan, we ended up spending about $11,000. However, because of the rent increase, we’ll be able to pay back that investment in under two years, making it a fantastic financial move.

Survival of the Fittest (and the Tools)

Doing a renovation this fast requires a lot of grit and the right equipment. I’ve always believed that women shouldn't have to struggle with bulky, heavy equipment, which is why I’m so passionate about using tools that deliver power, style, and comfort. For this project, my Athena by Aleah cordless power drill was a lifesaver—it's designed specifically for women to be lightweight yet powerful enough for a full-scale renovation.

One of my best tips for staying organized during a chaotic build is using a silicone DIY work mat. It’s heat-resistant and keeps all those tiny screws and parts from disappearing while you work. And of course, safety is non-negotiable; I never start a project without my safety glasses and a fresh pair of nitrile DIY gloves to protect my hands from the grime of a dated rental.

High Stakes and Narrow Escapes

The renovation itself was intense. I was finishing the last of the wet paint and caulk literally minutes before I had to catch my flight back home to Florida. I made it to the airport by the skin of my teeth, leaving my editor to film the final "after" shots because I simply ran out of time.

But the real drama started less than 24 hours after I left. I got a call from our daughter, RyLee, saying the mountain above the condo was on fire. It was a massive forest fire that forced evacuations in the neighboring area. We barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when the fire was out before Mother Nature struck again three days later with torrential rain. The result? A massive mudslide that devastated nearby homes and a local church, leaving five feet of mud in some areas.

Fortunately, our condo survived because it sits on top of a garage, which provided a literal foundation of safety. After all that hard work, seeing it narrowly avoide fire and water felt like a miracle.

Watch the Full Transformation! 

If you want to see the "before" and "after" for yourself, and watch the literal fire and mud that almost took it all away, you have to see the full video. Head over to the Aleah DIY YouTube channel to watch the entire vlog and see how we turned a dated rental into a high-end transformation in record time!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How were you able to find and hire contractors so quickly? I relied heavily on Google reviews, looking for contractors with a rating of 4.6 or higher. I called multiple people and made quick decisions once I found someone who could meet my timeline, like the granite installers who offered a 5-day turnaround.

2. How did you stay under budget on materials like countertops? I saved a significant amount of money by choosing granite remnants instead of ordering full new slabs. This also helped with the speed of the project since they were already in stock.

3. What was the most unexpected expense during the renovation? We went $1,000 over our $10,000 budget specifically because we had to replace the washer and dryer, which we hadn't originally accounted for.

4. How do you stay motivated when a project feels overwhelming? My best advice is to give yourself a strict deadline and hold to it. Having that 15-day window kept me focused, even when I felt distracted by other small tasks.