How to Prepare for a Home Remodel
Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Greenbrook Design, managing day to day operations, marketing, sourcing product and keeping the showroom beautifully designed. Stacey also does interior design & home styling for a select number of clients. Find out more about Stacey here.
Watching HGTV can get anyone excited for a home remodel but it is not as easy as they make it out to be. Once the renovation starts certain things take place, the things you were used to doing suddenly require some creative thinking such as cooking or even getting everyone ready in the morning. While a renovation can be a little disruptive to our daily routine it does not need to be stressful. Here we share a few things on what to expect during a home remodel and how to navigate with ease.
Home remodel means more dirt.
From sheetrock to sawdust to increased foot traffic, dirt and dust is one thing you can count on seeing more of during the renovation. If you are one who enjoys a tidy house, be prepared to simply look the other way. Here are some things that might help keep your home liveable during this process:
- Hanging some heavy-duty plastic sheets will hinder dust from floating all over the home.
- Make sure to have your vacuum handy so people can quickly use it to dust off or clean up as needed.
- Have a designated area where people can dust off before going into a non-construction area of the home.
- Keep after it, don’t wait till the end to clean everything, try to do a little maintenance during the renovation. This will make the final clean-up less overwhelming.
While there is no way to contain all the dirt and dust in the home, it is possible to keep it under control and help you breathe easier as your home is renovated. We also recommend speaking with your contractor as they may have a few additional suggestions. Check out these five helpful tips as well to help minimize dust spreading throughout the home.
Increase in Noise
Those who have children may say they are used to noise but they may not be prepared for this level. Hammering, drilling, and pounding are just a few of the sounds that will interrupt your normal routine. While some families are able to relocate for the duration of their remodel, it is not always the case for everyone. Here a few helpful tips to handle the increase in noise:
- Schedule the construction during your time at work that way you won’t have to deal with it while at home. If you work from home consider spending a few hours at a local cafe that has good internet.
- Send the kids to the grandparents. Little ones have less tolerance than adults as their hearing is more sensitive than ours and placing them in a comfortable environment with family can ease the stress for them.
- Step away. If you were planning a vacation this would be the perfect time to do it. Another great option is to take the day off and spend it doing something fun with the family like going to the local park or zoo.
Whether it is you or the children, an increase in noise can be a disturbance but thankfully it won’t last long and if planned right much of the interruptions can be limited during your home remodel.
Shift in plans
Even the best-laid plans may need to be adjusted due to unforeseen issues that arise. It is important to be flexible. Remember your designer knows your budget and will make sure that you stay on target but when they come to you with a problem know that they would not mention it if it were not necessary. Often they will have a plan in place to deal with it so be sure to hear them out. Read more about how to navigate a home remodel here.
