How to prepare for a home renovation

A major home renovation will go more smoothly with some pre-work. Here are some ways you can set yourself up for success…

Mental preparation

            Budget

Your budget should include not only materials and labor, but also building permits and decorating for your new space. If you have a beautiful, new kitchen, you may also want beautiful, new plates!

Also, anticipate the unexpected. When walls start to open up, surprises can be tough to handle if there is not a little wiggle room in the budget.

Keep your contracts and receipts in an organized manner. Receipts are important for everything you purchase, as you may find that fixtures you thought you wanted are not right for the finished space.

            Site Management

It is important to communicate constantly and clearly with your contractor to mitigate the stress of a renovation. You should develop a daily cleanup plan; understand what will they clean up daily vs what you will. Ask your contractor how they will keep the dust/debris confined to the reno area.

Also, determine how the crew will get in and out of the house. If you have a security system, is there a temporary passcode that you can set just for the renovation period?

            Make a plan for living

Will there be a removed part of the house where you can live, or will you go off-site for the renovation period? When making this decision, keep in mind the following:

Be prepared for noise – as well as being disruptive to kids’ schedules (think naps), and potentially a source of anxiety for pets, constant noise can make family communication difficult and complicate any work-from-home arrangements.

If you are having a kitchen renovated, where will you prep meals? Do you have an area where you can set up a microwave and/or grill or toaster oven? Keep a folder of takeout menus and consider pre-making and freezing casserole meals.

A bathroom reno gets dicey when the whole family is using a different facility. Consider an “essentials” shower caddy for each family member to help keep things organized.

             Physical preparation

Again, talk to your contractor. Understand what you need to remove vs what they will remove from the area before demolition. Remove as much as possible from adjacent walls also, as vibrations from construction and demo can cause hangings art and photos to fall. Move breakable and important /expensive items out of your home. Consider a shed or storage unit for these items. Remove curtains and anything that can collect dust. Wrap anything that must stay in either clear plastic wrap or draped in sheets. DUST WILL GET EVERYWHERE! If you are having your kitchen redone, try to pare down your food and pantry items before you have to empty all cabinets and shelving. Keep essentials only, in clear/labeled boxes so you can find them easily.

Throughout your renovation, keep in mind that the reward for the temporary inconvenience is a lifetime of better functioning in a home that meets your family’s needs. At Belanger Built, we have successfully renovated hundreds of homes, and can guide you through the process in a most thoughtful manner. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your renovation plans.