Tips to a smoother remodel
Living with Your Remodeling Project
Remodeling your home is uniquely different from building a new home. With remodeling, your home becomes the work site. You live side by side with the project from start to finish. Once construction begins, you’ll probably long for simple pleasures like a dust-free home or fully functioning kitchen or bath. But the end result will be well worth these inconveniences.
Communication
Consistent and open communication between you and your remodeler will enhance your understanding of the project, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, and ultimately help to make the experience a positive one for everyone involved. Decide who you and your remodeler should contact for decisions or emergencies. Create a place in your house, e.g., a bulletin board, where are the contact persons can leave messages for each other.
The Pre-Construction Meeting
Consistent and open communication between you and your remodeler will enhance your understanding of the project, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, and ultimately help to make the experience a positive one for everyone involved. Decide who you and your remodeler should contact for decisions or emergencies. Create a place in your house, e.g., a bulletin board, where are the contact persons can leave messages for each other.
Some issues you may wish to cover at this meeting include:
- Will you allow your remodeler to place this company sign on your property?
- What area is your home will be off-limits to workers?
- How will trash removal be handled? Where will the remodeler locate the dumpster on your property?
- Does the remodeler anticipate any interruptions of utilities during the project? Will you need the vacate the house at any time?
- What are your expectations regarding clean-up? Will sweeping be sufficient for daily cleaning, or will you need more thorough cleaning in order to use the space?
And regarding the work crew:
- What time will workers begin and end work at your home?
- Where can workers park near the job site?
- Will you allow workers to use your restroom? Your phone for local business calls?
- What is the remodeler’s policy on smoking on the job site? Playing radios?
Preventing Remodeling Frustrations
The train station atmosphere of a remodeling project can lead to feelings of frustration and loss of control resulting from disrupted routines and the impact on your personal space. The best way to prevent this is to prepare well, remember that “this too shall pass,” and focus on the progress being made. Here are a few other suggestions from remodeling pros:
Prepare for inconvenience. A remodeling project can turn your home and, on some days, your life upside down. A kitchen remodel will affect meal planning, so set up a temporary cooking quarter by moving the refrigerator, toaster oven, and microwave to another room. Arrange a dishwashing station in your laundry room. If the weather is warm, fire up the grill and dine alfresco.
Designate a safe haven in your home where you can escape from the chaos and commotion.
Guard against dust. During a remodeling project, dust will be everywhere from lampshades to plates stacked inside your kitchen cabinets. To keep out as much dust as possible:
- Seal off doorways and stairs.
- Turn off central air or heat when workers are sanding; buy extra filters for frequent changes.
- Use doormats and floor coverings where needed.
- Remove anything that might get damaged by the dust or at least cover it up with a plastic drop cloth that is taped shut.
Maintain a sense of humor and fun. Remember that certain things are out of your control and it’s best to laugh rather than upset yourself about things like the weather or delayed delivery of materials. Tell the kids that you are “camping in” and transform inconvenience into fun.
Get In Touch
1059 Elmira St.
Mobile, AL 36604
251-433-9000
remodelor2@cs.com