Home Renovation Coaching

Confidently Navigate Your Home Renovation

We help people – especially women – confidently navigate the home renovation process. We serve all types of homeowners from first time buyers, to growing families building additions, to seniors seeking to age in place.

If you are project ready, and want an unbiased advocate to listen and help you determine whether you are making the right moves along the way, home renovation coaching is for you.

Overcome Your Fear of Renovation

Become Your Own Project Manager

Most homeowners are not remodeling experts. Yet, many dive into renovation without doing any homework. They become overwhelmed when they realize the process is logistically, financially, and emotionally disruptive in ways never expected.

If you’re thinking about renovating or feeling lost in the process, let’s make a plan. Together we can better define your needs, determine scope, and give you the tools and confidence to help you achieve the best outcomes for your home improvement project.

You Say

I wish there was someone other than the contractor to hear my anxieties and tell me whether my experience is normal.

You Wonder

Am I making the right decisions selecting a contractor? Am I being treated fairly? Is this modification worth it?

You Feel

This project feels out of control - everything seems like it is borderline too much to handle.

You Want

I need someone to guide me - to get me through this and over the finish line.

HardHat Diplomat offers a range of services including planning consultations, coaching throughout the renovation process, homeowner-contractor mediation, online courses, and group workshops to provide support for your major home improvement projects.

Consultations

Guidance for homeowners from how to start to crossing the finish line.

Get Advice

Courses

Online curriculum to navigate your home renovation with confidence.

Learn More

Workshops

Group sessions to build your knowledge and skills.

Meet Your HardHat Diplomat

Renovation Coach

Erin Helland is an entrepreneur and cultivator of community. She is an experienced commercial and residential renovation coach and board certified home inspector. She created HardHat Diplomat as a specialty consulting service to make the home improvement process more approachable.

Erin has rehabbed multiple properties, created long-term and vacation rentals, and coached property owners across the US through remodeling projects – from simple makeovers to multi-million dollar endeavors. She also supports economic revitalization programs, coordinating public-private community development block grants for storefront facade improvements.

For seven years, she built and owned an independent coffeehouse in Richmond, Virginia. A cultural enthusiast, she lived several years abroad, has traveled to 40+ countries, and spent a decade working in international education and diplomacy.

Erin Helland

Learn how Erin turned her own home renovation disaster into a high-demand business supporting others – especially women – navigate the construction arena.

Her Story

What People are Saying

Client Testimonials

During my kitchen and bathroom renovation, Erin helped me understand whether contractors had legitimate reasons for delaying work or were taking advantage of me. Her tips gave me the confidence to hold them accountable, saved me money, and made sure the end-result met my needs.

Mike LeyvaHomeowner, Washington, DC

I had serious anxiety about finding and contacting contractors for projects. After just a 30 minute call with Erin, I immediately felt so much better about my upcoming bathroom renovation. Her report helped me understand next steps to budget and to make selections that will maximize the return on my investment. She also also offered insights for communicating better with contractors.

Jascha OgarraHomeowner, Atlanta, GA

With three little kids our growing family needs more space. We hired Erin to do an initial consultation with us, help us vet architecture proposals, and most importantly, to give us the confidence to move forward with such a large project. She's been a tremendous resource and we've relied on her input throughout the process.

Nancy & Ilan GoodmanHomeowners, Washington, DC

My husband and I needed ADA modifications due to mobility changes. Our options were to sell our home of 40 years or renovate. Erin guided us through a stressful situation and helped our whole family feel informed and prepared for each step of the construction process.

Mike & Charlyn SantiagoHomeowners, Columbia, MD

I really enjoyed the experience and learned a lot from Erin! Since then I have felt more confident as a homeowner, making small repairs around the house and knowing what questions to ask when I need more help.

Frances KlimczakHomeowner, Washington, DC

The workshop was the right mix of information and inspiration. I received resources to move forward with confidence - not just a bunch of dense slides. Since then, I have started and finished several projects, including installing solar panels.

Lynne Marie ParsonHomeowner, Richmond, VA

Client Testimonials

During a lengthy renovation, Erin helped me understand whether contractors had legitimate reasons for delaying work, or were trying to take advantage of me. This gave me the confidence to them accountable for meeting budget and timelines. Her tips saved me money and made sure the end-result met my needs. I couldn’t imagine my project turning out as well as it did without her help.

Mike LHomeowner, Washington, DC

Francis K.Homeowner, Washington, DC

Nancy & Ilan G.Homeowners, Washington, DC

The session gave me a platform to harness the resources within. There's so much more than a choice between DIY or which contractor to use. It’s holistic - utilizing money to build a vessel that holds your being, loved ones and prized possessions. Thoughtful reminders helped clarify want versus worth.

Nicole YHomeowner, Norfolk, VA

Lynne PHomeowner, Richmond, VA

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Santiago Fam?Homeowners, Columbia, MD