Title: Five Ways To Get Organized Before a Renovation
A home renovation can be an exciting time, but it can also wreak havoc on your emotional state if you are not prepared for the coming chaos. Many homeowners are shocked at the level of disarray that arises out of a renovation project. Still, regardless of the construction tools spread out in the workspace, the contractors are skilled professionals and know what they are doing — especially if you did your due diligence to verify licenses and insurance.
However, even with a skilled professional at the helm, a renovation can be anxiety-inducing. Therefore, to help you keep your wits about you, it is best to learn how to organize during the construction work to protect your house and your sanity. Five expert tips can help.
1. Develop a Clear Plan
Before you can develop a plan for organizing, you need to know what to expect. When working with outside contractors or project managers, it is crucial to get all contracts in writing. You want to have the physical paperwork. If the company or the professionals you hire only use digital, print everything.
Construction contracts will typically lay out payment schedules and deadlines. Having this information will allow you to develop and coordinate your schedule around the project. In addition, knowing dates allows you to organize and prepare your home for the project.
2. Prepare the Space
A construction site is a dusty and dirty place; there is no getting around it. Therefore, preparation is crucial to protecting the unaffected areas of your home. While many contractors will include prep in their contract, it is sometimes beneficial for a homeowner to take matters into their own hands and do some preparation before the start of the project. There are several things you can do, including:
- Remove fragile items
- Cover furniture
- Remove curtains or drapes
- Empty cabinets
- Declutter the space
- Place essentials in accessible storage bins
3. Figure Out Living Arrangements
It is not uncommon for homeowners to want to stay in their house during renovation projects. While remaining in the home might be OK for smaller renovations — bathrooms or kitchens — it is not recommended for larger remodels. However, even smaller renovations can be problematic. For example, if your house only has one bathroom, which is being renovated, staying might be impossible or incredibly inconvenient.
Additionally, construction tools and job site messes can become hazards if you are not careful. It is rarely recommended that families with small children stay on-site during construction projects because of the increased risks to little ones.
If you choose to stay home during the project, maintain one safe area for yourself. Most people choose to protect their bedrooms or a living room. However, if you have a finished basement, that could be the best place to wait out the renovation.
4. Store Belongings Offsite
Even with prep work, your home can still become a victim to wayward dust and debris. When doing renovations, it is usually best to remove all personal items off-site. You will want to include picture frames, furniture, valuable, and home decor. You can rent a storage unit for the duration of the project. If you do not want to take everything off-site, consider storing items in sealed containers in a shed, garage, or basement.
5. Embrace the Chaos
No matter what you do, you cannot avoid some level of chaos during the construction process. Between the constant cycle of workers and the power tools going off inside and out, your home will inevitably look worse before it looks better.
If you are interested in learning more about the renovation process or the construction tools of the trade, check out Engineer Supply. With several decades in the construction business, the company can offer tremendous insight.
