Best advice for surviving a remodel is to keep calm, be flexible, and try to carry on as much as possible with your normal routine!
When you remodel, you’re investing a lot into creating a beautiful and functional space. Bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels can be especially stressful as these are everyday necessity rooms and directly affect everyday life.
It is possible though to survive the chaos, dust & dirt with these “surviving a remodel” tips in mind:
1. Communication is key
Make sure you completely understand what is included and not included in your project before you sign that contract. Once the project starts, talk with your contractor on a daily basis, if needed. They can help explain what has been done, what will happen next, and how long each task should take. At the start of your project, you should get a project schedule. Your contractor should also provide you with updates on the work progress and what remains to be completed. This helps everyone stay in the loop and curtails any possibility of misunderstanding. This also helps you, the customer, to plan around with certain aspects of the project. For example, where you may not be able to enter the room (i.e. flooring installation, finishing, or refinishing).
2. Make your material selections as quickly to avoid delays
This is a critical component to keeping the job flowing on schedule. For example, if the flooring installer is scheduled in week 3 of the project but the flooring selection was delayed and the flooring material is not coming until week 4, this may mean more than a week delay in the project. The flooring contractor may not be able to return to your project for a few weeks if they are already have other obligations. As well, some products may be custom, so they already take longer to come in.
3. Clear the room before the project starts
Consider possibly putting some larger items in storage if needed. Also make sure there is room for any equipment necessary outside the home. This may mean moving items in the yard or possibly finding temporary alternatives for parking vehicles.
4. Protect your household items from construction
Dust and dirt is inevitable during a remodel, it’s best to take the necessary precautions to protect your furniture. A good contractor will have this in mind as well to ensure all items stay free of damage. This will save tons of time in the cleanup process once the project is complete.
5. If your remodeling your kitchen
Some homeowners set up a mini kitchen in other parts of the home with a microwave, slow cooker, etc. This can help cut down on your eating out expenses. Or you can do meal prep to make cooking as simple as possible. Again, this inconvenience is short-lived and will help cut down on extra expenses.
6. Expect the unexpected
The bigger the remodeling project, the greater the potential for problems. Sometimes deliveries are late, there is adverse weather, on-the-spot changes, and more. But if you keep your cool, stay calm, and flexible the remodeling process can still run smooth. Most delays from unexpected hiccups in the road can be made up in the long run. Also, they often do not affect the project completion timeline. Flexibility is key here on both sides, whether it’s a delay on the contractor side, unknown situations arise, or you change an order.
7. Designate an area in your home away from your project
Consider a basement or another area of the home that won’t be directly affected by the project. Just find somewhere that is removed from the construction area so you can still rest and relax. This will help keep a sense of normalcy during your remodel.
8. Remember to maintain a sense of humor
It’s easy to get caught up in the inconvenience of the project, but look at the remodeling process as an adventure that will reap big rewards. Certain things are out of your control, so it’s better to laugh than to become angry. If any problems do arise, talk to your contractor about what the solutions are. This will help in so many ways to keep the project running smoothly!
Shakespeare has been helping Lancaster County, PA homeowners survive remodels, big and small, since 1998. We understand how important communication is to the process, our customers hear from us every day during their project. And, our process from start to finish, is well thought out and keeps our projects running smoothly. It’s the reason our customer return rate is one of the highest in the area!