About 68 percent of homeowners do some form of home renovation each year, all for varying reasons. They might want to increase space, change the function of part of the house, or bring the home more in line with their way of living. If you’ve decided to renovate your home, make sure you plan out thoroughly and prepare yourself properly for the disruption. Here are four tips to prepare your home for renovation.
1. Create A Plan
Renovation projects can be challenging and money intensive depending on the scale of your project. Starting with a plan can be a great way to save you from unexpected costs.
First, identify the areas you need to renovate and compare them with your budget. You should be able to complete all the projects you want to with a 10% contingency fund. In case of budget constraints, list out renovation projects in order of importance and prioritize more significant ones.
Your renovation project will include different construction professionals. Involve them in the planning stage and ensure you’re all on the same level. To increase their efficiency, create a schedule with clear tasks and (reasonable) timelines to make monitoring easy.
2. Prepare For Disruption
The noise from drills and other construction tools can make living in your home unbearable. If you must stay in your home during the renovation, ensure you’re not close to the working area.
Consider sleeping tents for you and your household if you have a sizable exterior to accommodate all of you. Portable generators will also come in handy for all your electrical needs, as you may have to turn power off for long stretches of time during larger renovations. Consider what you will do for hot water and sanitation – if your only bathroom is going out of action are you able to make-do for a few days or will you need to make other arrangements with relatives or neighbors.
Alternatively, you can choose to sleep in a short-let apartment or a hotel until the renovation project is completed.
3. Consider Temporary Storage
Renovation projects can significantly distort your house arrangements. Keeping items close while construction works are underway can also be risky for your valuables or fragile items. It would be easier to bring them outside if you have a large enough outdoor space and security to keep things safe. If not, a temporary storage unit can be a great option.
Temporary storage units can also be beneficial if you plan to settle into your newly renovated home in stages. For instance, suppose you’re a busy employee renovating your home. You may not have time to arrange all your disrupted possessions in one day.
4. Cleaning Up
You’ll likely have a lot of debris in your home after the renovation project, no matter how tidy or clean you or the professionals have been throughout.
Ensure to use safety equipment when cleaning out renovation debris. Dealing with broken tiles, condemned wood, etc., can cause physical injuries. Don’t forget to buy effective cleaning materials to rid the floor of chemicals or paint that might have spilled during the renovation. You may need to get rid of items that you find you no longer want – either because they do not go in your new space, or you have had something built which replaces their use. You can pack them up for donation or disposal as you please.
Generally, renovation projects can be challenging, but these tips can make the process a little more manageable.
