How to Prepare for a Home Renovation

There’s a lot to think about when gearing up for a renovation. Whether you’re updating the feel of your home with fresh kitchen and bath finishes, or you’re taking it all the way down to the studs and starting from scratch, you’re not far away from a brand new living space. Once you’ve landed on a design you love, the next step is the build phase – which is the admittedly less fun but equally as exciting part of the process. Depending on the scope of your project, you likely have a few weeks to several months of noise and dust ahead of you. But in the end, it’ll all be worth it. As you head into construction, it’s important that both you and your home are ready for what’s to come. Here are our best tips for preparing for a home renovation:

Choose a Point Person

One of the best things you can do to maintain your sanity during a remodel is designate a primary decision maker to communicate with your contractor. Of course, there’s likely to be several people in your household who are providing input and opinions – a spouse, family member, or co-owner, for example. And yes, you’ll need to run any design or schedule changes by the other stakeholders of the project. But for the sake of keeping your project running smoothly, it’s a great idea to nominate a point person who will manage the relationship with the builder and communicate your preferences and decisions. Having too many cooks in the kitchen can result in mistakes and miscommunication, which can ultimately delay your project. For the most streamlined renovation experience, choose a point person who is likely to be available during daytime hours for last-minute questions.

Clean and Declutter

It might seem counterintuitive, but we recommend a little spring cleaning prior to your renovation. Though your home will likely get dusty during construction, starting with an organized, tidy space will help keep the chaos to a minimum. Your builder might agree to help you move appliances or large furniture pieces out of the way, but you’ll be responsible for removing smaller items like decor and window treatments. Before construction begins is a great time to declutter and pare down the items in your home. Think about what you really want to bring back into the space after the renovation, and let the rest go. When your remodel is finished and it comes time to move back in, you’ll be grateful that you cleaned out and organized ahead of time.

Decide Whether You’re Moving Out

This one’s a bit more complicated. In fact, we have an entire blog post about whether or not to move out while renovating, which can help guide you in your decision. There are, of course, pros and cons to either option – but, generally speaking, there are a lot of solid reasons to be out of the fray during a large remodel project. If you do decide to move into temporary housing during your renovation, be sure to include those costs in your overall budget and plan well in advance.

On the flip side, if you choose to stay in your home during the remodel, you’ll need to brace yourself for the realities of construction within your space, including noise, debris, and considerable foot traffic. Likewise, you’ll need a daytime plan for the time when contractors and tradespeople will be in your home. Do you intend to work from home? If so, carve out a quiet(er) space where you can focus, ideally away from the disruptions.

Prepare for Dust

Dust is an inevitable part of any renovation, but it won’t last forever. (Phew!) You’ll want to prep your home to limit the impact of dust, especially for small and medium-sized projects that don’t encompass your whole home. Your contractor will likely set up dust protection to contain the workspace – usually in the form of plastic tarps and zippered walls. That said, dust is sneaky and often finds its a way under barriers or through air vents. You can get ahead of it by removing and storing items like drapery and rugs that require dry cleaning, sealing ducts where possible, and covering furniture that you won’t be using during the construction phase.

It’s also worthwhile to have a conversation with your builder about their plans for dust protection, where their primary work area will be, and whether they include cleaning at the end of the project. Beyond a few smart moves in advance (and opening your windows when the weather permits), your best bet is to mentally prepare for your home to get dusty. Trust us, when the renovation is done and the cleaners have had their moment, it’ll all be worth it.

Arrange Spaces for Your Kids and Pets

If you have children or animals living with you, it’s important to prepare for how you’ll keep them safe and occupied during construction. Assuming you’ll be living in your home during the remodel, we recommend having a “safe zone” for kids and/or pets, where they can play without being in the way of contractors and tradespeople. Make sure they’re supervised at all times and that access to work areas is clearly blocked off. Having strangers in your home can be alarming for little ones (and your pets!), so it can help to build a rapport with your contractor from the start, to ensure everyone is comfortable. It can be tricky to stay in a routine during a renovation, but having a consistent safe space can be comforting during an otherwise unpredictable time.

Get Started on Your Renovation

Another major part of preparing for a home renovation? Choosing the right team! Our in-house designers, architects, and builders are residential remodel experts, so you can rest assured your home is in good hands. Schedule a phone call with us to learn more and get the conversation started.

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