4 Tips to Prepare for a Home Remodeling Project

A home remodel is exciting! You’ve been dreaming and planning for how great your house could be with a little TLC, and now it’s time to get started. But before hammers start swinging, you’ve got some preparing to do, to get your house–and yourself!–ready. A home remodel is a wonderful thing that brings with it disruption and some stress. A little preparation will go a long way toward making you feel ready and reducing stress during your remodel. Not sure where to start when it comes to preparing for your home remodel? We’ve got you covered. 

1. Prepare for the Project

One of the things we love about the Design-Build model for home renovations is the emphasis on planning beforehand. While traditional methods of project delivery often leave some of the designing until after contracts are signed and work has begun, with Design-Build, we spend a great deal of time with you, planning your perfect remodel, before any work begins.

This means that you’ll be sure your project will be exactly what you want it to be. No surprises. Design-Build paves the way for a low-stress, high-satisfaction result. You won’t regret a minute spent planning and preparing for your project.

Set Clear Goals

When you sit down to talk to your Project Developer, one of the first things you’ll work on together is clarifying your vision for the space. Set clear goals for what you want out of this remodel and communicate them to your team. Your Project Developer will be able to help you set priorities and decide what your “must haves” and “nice-to-haves” are for your remodel. A good plan is invaluable to the success of your project.

Budget Accurately

Budgeting for a remodel can be hard, but it’s important to have a realistic idea of what your project will cost so you can plan accordingly. Your contractor can help you with this, as you discuss your needs and wants, and the resources you have available. It’s always good to include a buffer in your budget–a little extra in case you need it. For tips about how to remodel on a budget, read this article.

Communicate Clearly with Your Team

Before and during the project, communicating well with your designers and contractor is key. Beforehand, you need to be able to explain your vision for your project. You can use pictures (including ones from our gallery), Pinterest boards, sketches, or whatever you need to get your ideas across. During the process, a good contractor will make sure you’re kept in the loop with updates, necessary changes, the schedule, and anything else you need to know. On your part, be sure to speak to him if you have questions or concerns. Be aware that if you decide to make changes during the construction process, you may face some extra expenses and delays. In any case, the better you communicate, the happier you’ll be with the process and the results.

2. Prepare Your Mindset

Contractors talk about the emotional roller-coaster of remodeling. It’s a common enough experience that it has a name. At the beginning of your project, you’re brimming with excitement and anticipation! As time goes on and the disruption to your home starts to wear on you, you begin to get tired and frustrated. When big things happen (Drywall is up! Lighting is in!), you feel excited and hopeful again, but then when you think of how far you still have to go, weariness comes back. Finally, the project is finished, and you feel happiness and relief as you enjoy your new space.

The roller-coaster happens to us all, but there are ways to make the lows not quite so low. Keep in mind the following:

• Understand the scope of the project. If it’s a big job, it will take a while and will be pretty disruptive to your life. But this will also result in a really big payoff at the end when you step into your remodeled home and get to enjoy it.
• Any project will be disruptive. Expect messes, and expect to have people in and out of your home. This can feel uncomfortable–your home is generally your retreat! But during the course of the project, it’s a construction zone. Try to keep that idea in mind.
• Remember that this is not forever. The work will end; there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It will be worth it, and the process will be just a memory someday.
• Check your expectations, be flexible, and keep a sense of humor. You will enjoy the process a lot more if you keep it light.

3. Prepare Your Home

Now we come to the most practical part of this remodel planning guide. You need to physically prepare your space for the work that’s about to start.

First, Declutter

As you get ready to pack up everything from the areas that will be under construction, take the opportunity to get rid of anything you don’t want or need. Are there furniture items you won’t use after the renovation is finished? Donate or sell them now. Are you changing your color scheme and have decor that won’t match anymore? Box it up and send it out.

Identify a Storage Solution

Now that you’ve decluttered, you know what you still need to store. Do you have space in a basement or another part of the house? If not, consider renting a storage unit or getting a mobile one delivered. Moving out furniture and other possessions will not only keep them from being damaged or getting dusty, but will give you and the construction crew more room.

Cover What You Can

Speaking of dust, drywall and construction dust is real! It can fly everywhere if proper precautions aren’t taken. Your team should hang plastic from floor to ceiling to seal off the work zone, but it wouldn’t hurt for you to cover nearby furniture, rugs, or other valuables with plastic as well. Vacuum often and wipe surfaces with a damp cloth now and then to fight the dust that will inevitably escape.

Set Up Temporary Living Spaces

Your home remodel will likely cause you to be displaced from key rooms in your home: bedrooms, the kitchen, your bathroom, or your living room, for example. You will need to move some things around to accommodate the temporary loss of space.

• You may want your kids to share a bedroom for a while, or have someone sleep in the living room or basement.
• You might need to move your necessary items from the master bath to a guest bath.
• If your kitchen is being remodeled, set up a temporary one elsewhere in the house.
• If you have a finished basement, maybe making it your living area for a while will help.
• For pets that will be home during the day, designate a specific room with a door for them to be closed into to keep them safe.

Secure Your Valuables

With so many people coming in and out of your house, and so much activity going on, it’s wise to make sure your valuables are safe. Your grandmother’s china and the antique clock you love should be stored safely elsewhere. 

Consider updating your security system for your peace of mind. You may want to install a doorbell camera if you don’t already have one, so you can keep up with the comings and goings at your home while you’re at work.

4. Prepare to Enjoy the Results

While the remodeling process can be long and not always fun, it’s worth it when you get to the end: your home, looking better than it ever has, functioning perfectly for your specific family, meeting your needs, and ready to hold your memories. The end result makes the planning, budgeting, decision fatigue, and disruption fade into the past as you anticipate the future: enjoying your remodeled home for many years to come.

Are you ready and eager to start the process? Contact us today and let’s get moving. Your dream home awaits!