'I'm Doing It for My Children': Croatian Presenter Speaks About the Hardships of Renovating Her House

Croatian presenter and influencer Meri Banovac is undertaking a monumental task: renovating a stone house in Tisno entirely on her own and without the financial backing of a loan. The ambitious project, initially started with her ex-husband, is now solely her responsibility, a challenge she openly shared with her social media followers.

Banovac admitted the renovation is far from easy, especially managing the project remotely from Zagreb while covering living expenses. "I'll just say it's not a piece of cake to renovate a house without a loan and alone, with all the accompanying costs of living and from Zagreb because I don't have time to go down there," she stated.

Her primary motivation stems from her children, for whom she is determined to see the project through. "I'm doing this for my children, so it's worth every bit of hardship, and I'll definitely finish it all by next summer," she declared with resolve.

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I'll just say it's not a piece of cake to renovate a house without a loan and alone, with all the accompanying costs of living and from Zagreb because I don't have time to go down there.

The house itself was in dire condition, practically slated for demolition. Banovac has already completed crucial work, including installing new electrical and water systems, addressing moisture issues, and undertaking masonry repairs. The entire carpentry has been replaced, old tiles removed, and new floors and bathrooms installed. Even the upper floor, though undergoing only basic renovations of installations and moisture control before being painted, is now habitable.

Further complicating the renovation is the property's location and seasonal restrictions. Construction had to pause on June 15 due to a summer ban on building near the coast and will resume in the fall. Remaining tasks include the facade, roof, kitchen, bathrooms, cabinets, sofa, coffee table, and fencing. Despite the hurdles, Banovac remains focused on her goal, prioritizing finishing the upper floor's basic setup before tackling the remaining extensive work.

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I'm doing this for my children, so it's worth every bit of hardship, and I'll definitely finish it all by next summer.