Escape the Mayhem: How a Reno-cation Can Help You Finally Tackle Those Overdue Home Projects
Morgan Olsen•Thumbtack’s Home Design Expert•Last updated Jul 9, 2025
Last updated Jul 9, 2025
Table of Contents
- Homeowners are Prioritizing Renovations Instead of Relocation
- Renovations are overwhelming — but they don’t have to be.
- The rise of the “reno-cation:” The new way to renovate and relax.
- Weekend home improvements you’ll actually look forward to.
- Your dream home — and an escape from chaos — are just a tap away.
If you’ve ever postponed a home project because you couldn’t find the time or bear the thought of noise, dust or general chaos — you’re not alone. Most people want to renovate — they just don’t want to live through the noise, cost, or chaos that often comes with it.
According to our new survey, it’s not a lack of motivation or inspiration holding people back — it’s the stress. The average homeowner is sitting on 2–3 unfinished projects, largely because getting started can feel like inviting chaos into your home, and life. In fact, 51% say they want to take a renovation staycation — or a “reno-cation” — just to make the experience less stressful. This allows them to stay local and close to the project, while unplugging and relaxing at a hotel away from the mayhem.
Homeowners are Prioritizing Renovations Instead of Relocation
At Thumbtack, we believe improving your home shouldn’t be so hard. That’s why we’re teaming up with HotelTonight to offer $200 off a minimum two-night staycation* when you book a home improvement project through Thumbtack from July 9 — August 8, 2025. By helping you get out of the house while pros get to work, we’re helping you get over one of the biggest hurdles to finally getting it done.
Renovations are overwhelming — but they don’t have to be.
Here’s what we know for sure: home improvement isn’t just about hammers and hardware. It’s about how it feels to live through it. Or, ideally, not live through it at all.
We asked Americans what’s actually keeping them from tackling their to-do lists. The answer? A familiar mix of stress, procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed — not a lack of desire, but too many obstacles in the way.
30% of people say they simply don’t have time to manage a project — something Gen Z feels most acutely (40%). This often leads to an “I’ll get to it when I have the time” mentality: 22% of Americans admitted they don’t plan ahead for home projects at all, opting to do them whenever they feel like they have the time.
Then, there’s the chaos factor: 26% say they’re hesitant to start a project because of how disruptive it would be to their families — especially among Millennials (35%). Think: kids, pets and or losing access to a shared bathroom or the entire kitchen. Another 24% avoid projects because of the general disruption (noise, mess, and people coming and going), and 23% don’t have a place to stay while the work is being done.
What this tells us is simple: home improvement isn’t just a financial investment — it’s an emotional one. Getting started isn’t always about buying supplies or choosing tile. It’s about feeling prepared and carving out space. So how can homeowners stop putting off projects and start enjoying these much-needed upgrades? We’ve got the perfect solution.
The rise of the “reno-cation:” The new way to renovate and relax.
Renovating your home doesn’t just take resources — it takes headspace. And when your living space becomes a job site, that’s hard to come by. So we asked ourselves: what if you didn’t have to be there at all? What if the path to progress looked less like dust and drills, and more like a quiet room, a good book, and a nearby hotel stay?
More than 1 in 5 Americans (21%) are interested in taking a staycation this year, with another 40% already planning one. So why not take advantage of this time away from home to get those neglected projects done?
Enter the “reno-cation” — a staycation away while a trusted Thumbtack pro transforms your space back home. With 57% of Americans say they’d be more likely to renovate if they could get it done in a single weekend and 33% say they’d be more open to renovating if they could escape the chaos entirely with a reno-cation — it’s clear that getting out of the way is more than a convenience. It’s a game-changer.
Through our partnership with HotelTonight, we hope to help you finally get that overdue upgrade while giving yourself the break you deserve. Whether you’re five miles from home or just a few floors up, your environment matters — and a calm, clean space can be the difference between chaos and clarity.
Weekend home improvements you’ll actually look forward to.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the running list of home improvements you’ve been meaning to tackle. But not every project needs to be a months-long commitment — or a full-scale renovation.
For most Americans, the goal isn’t a total gut job — it’s small, impactful changes within a manageable budget. In fact, 65% of people plan to spend less than $10,000 on home projects this year, with 29% aiming to stay under $2,500.
With the right pro and a little breathing room, some of the most satisfying transformations can be completed in under a week. A tip? Getting out of the way so the work can happen quickly, cleanly, and without disrupting your daily life.
When we asked Americans what they’d most like to tackle over a weekend staycation, one thing was clear: the kitchen is at the top of the wish list. Half (50%) of people want to refresh their kitchens — whether that’s painting cabinets, replacing countertops, or upgrading appliances. It makes sense: kitchens are high-traffic zones, and even small improvements can make a huge difference in how a home feels day-to-day.
Next up? Flooring (44%) and bathroom upgrades (43%). Whether it’s refinishing hardwood, installing tile, or finally replacing that outdated vanity, these projects pack a visual punch. But these upgrades can be completed more easily (and faster) when a pro can work without interruption — and when you don’t have to worry about not having a functioning shower or playing “the floor is lava” to avoid recently stained floors.
And finally, other popular projects include closet remodels (30%), outdoor upgrades (24%), and interior painting or wallpapering (23%). All doable in a weekend. All better when you’re not tiptoeing around drop cloths or dealing with the fumes and noise.
Your dream home — and an escape from chaos — are just a tap away.
Summer is the most popular season to tackle overdue home projects — 35% of people say it’s when they’re most motivated to get things done. That’s why this summer, Thumbtack and HotelTonight are making it easier to get your home in shape — without living through the chaos.
Here’s how to turn your home project into a much-needed reno-cation:
- Find the right pro for the job. Compare local pros on Thumbtack until you find the right one for your project.
- Book the job and pay your pro. Reach out to them and schedule the job. Once your project is underway, get proof of payment for each time you pay your pro. Qualifying payments include service call fees, down payments, retainers and of course payment of final invoices when the project is complete.
- Upload your receipt. Upload your receipt between July 9-August 8, 2025 on thumbtack.com/hoteltonight. Requests will be reviewed within 2 business days by Thumbtack, which will issue your HotelTonight coupon upon approval. Terms apply*.
- Redeem your coupon for $200 off a two-night hotel stay. Book a minimum two-night stay through HotelTonight by August 23, 2025.
- Relax while the pros get to work. Return to a space that looks and feels better — without having to hear a power drill ringing in your ears.
And with HotelTonight’s new game-changing travel perk, you can now earn 10% of the booking value back in Airbnb credit for a future stay.** Plan for your reno-cation now, and a future getaway on Airbnb later!
Ready to get started? Book your project. Pack your bag. And leave the hard part to us.
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*Limited to 1 HotelTonight Coupon per Thumbtack user for a stay of at least 2 consecutive nights at a given accommodation. Customers must book a home improvement project in an eligible service category through Thumbtack and must submit proof of purchase by August 8, 2025 at 11:59pm PST. This offer is at the discretion of the promoter (Thumbtack). Use of HotelTonight Coupons is subject to the HotelTonight Promotional Terms. Coupons must be redeemed on HotelTonight by August 23, 2025 at 11:59pm PST. This coupon is a limited, first come first serve offer with a total available number of coupons set at 300. Neither HotelTonight nor Airbnb is a sponsor or co-promoter of this promotion.
Eligible project categories for this offer are limited to: Above Ground or In Ground Swimming Pool Installation, Appliance Installation, Artificial Turf Installation, Basement Finishing or Remodeling, Bathroom Remodel, Cabinet Installation, Cabinet Painting, Carpet Installation, Central Air Conditioning Installation or Replacement, Closet Remodel, Closet and Shelving System Installation, Concrete Installation, Construction Services, Countertop Installation, Deck Staining and Sealing, Deck or Porch Remodel or Addition, Dishwasher Installation, Door Installation, Drywall Installation and Hanging, Exterior Painting, Fan Installation, Fence Painting, Fence and Gate Installation, Floor Installation or Replacement, Floor Painting or Coating, Garage Addition or Remodel, Garage Door Installation or Replacement, Gazebo Installation and Construction, General Carpentry, General Contracting, Gutter Installation or Replacement, Handyman Services, Hardwood Floor Refinishing, Heating System Installation or Replacement, Home Modification for Accessibility, Home Remodeling, Home Theater System Installation or Replacement, Hot Tub and Spa Installation, Interior Painting, Kitchen Remodel, Lighting Installation, Masonry Construction Services, Outdoor Landscaping and Design, Patio Remodel or Addition, Play Equipment Construction and Assembly, Popcorn Texture Removal, Roof Installation or Replacement, Room Remodel, Shower and Bathtub Installation or Replacement, Siding Installation, Sod Installation, Sprinkler and Irrigation System Installation, Tile Installation and Replacement, Trim or Molding Installation, Wallpaper Installation, Water Heater Installation or Replacement, Window Installation, Wiring Installation.
Survey Methodology: This SurveyMonkey online poll was conducted by Thumbtack between June 11–12, 2025 among a national sample of 1,047 adults (18–99) in the U.S.. Respondents for this survey were selected from the nearly 2 million people who take surveys on the SurveyMonkey platform each day. Data for this survey has been weighted for age, race, sex, education, and geography using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to reflect the demographic composition of the United States. The modeled error estimate for this survey is +/- 3.114 percentage points.
ABOUT HOTELTONIGHT: HotelTonight is the leading mobile app for last-minute hotel deals (from the night-of up to 100 days out) with reach across 127 countries and rooms from over 90,000 hotels worldwide. When hotels have unsold rooms, they load them onto the app, which means incredible last-minute rates. HotelTonight is available on iOS, Android, and the web.
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