How to Prepare For A Home Remodel

Prepare yourself

Let go of the clean house and accept the mess.

Your home renovation project will be loud.  Your home will be dusty.  You will not always have plumbing or electricity (especially if doing a bathroom or kitchen remodel).  Your privacy will be interrupted.  Some days you will need to have a glass of wine and unload your stress.  Other times you will need to take a walk to the park or go to the movies just to get out of the construction zone.  It is okay to feel stressed during your remodel.  Keep a positive attitude, trust your contractor, and understand the renovation process is temporary.  Construction is not fun, but once it is all over, you will have a beautiful new home.

Set a home renovation budget

Your home renovation budget should include the costs for building materials, labor, building permits, and decorative finishes. Start by determining the amount you want to spend and then finalize your financing. Remember to reserve at least 10% of your budget for unexpected costs if your cost estimates exceed your budget, eliminate project elements that are a lower priority.

Clean and declutter your space

A home that is being remodeled is many things.  It is dusty, it is loud, and it is an inconvenience. Try to clear the space of pretty much everything. 

 This means removing everything inside of cabinets, on shelves, and on countertops. Make sure you are courteous of the crew and allow them plenty of space to work. If the flooring is being replaced, the furniture will need to be moved out as well. It’s a good idea to discuss with your contractor the best options for storing your furniture and belongings during the renovation.

Create a timeline with your contractor.

The timeline should highlight the dates and times a renovation will be taking place. However, keep in mind timelines may be subject to change due to weather or unforeseen events. Establishing the timeline will give you a general overview of when you can expect your project to be complete so that you can plan accordingly.

Decide if you are going to stay in the home during your home renovation process

You may want to consider staying with a friend or family member if you are going to have a major home renovation. Alternatively, home renovations are a great time to leave town and go on a vacation.

Prepare your adjacent rooms for the remodel

Prevent disaster and heartbreak by removing items from your walls.  During your remodel, there will be tools used which will cause vibrations to the walls.  In addition, there will be quite a bit of foot traffic in hallways from the installers, inspectors, and project managers.  For this reason, it is important to remove anything attached to the walls in the remodeled rooms as well as in adjacent rooms (including shelves, pictures, and prints). 

Have a plan for your children and animals

Keep children and pets AWAY from the construction area. Kids and animals are curious by nature. They will need to be restricted from the construction zone for their own safety.  If you have a young child who naps during the day, it will be important for you to realize construction will be continued during nap time.  It may be in your best interest to make alternative plans if your child needs a quiet space to sleep or if you have multiple children who can not be supervised continuously.

It is important to have work zones restricted from pets during your home renovation project. Pets are frightened easily due to loud noises.  If your pet is easily upset you may want to consider finding care for them outside of the home during your remodel.