The following contribution is from another author.
Renovating your home is one of the most exciting things you’ll do, but it’s also one that comes with a lot of stress. You have a whole host of decisions to be making and your home is turned upside down. No matter if you’re getting new floors, painting all the walls, getting a new kitchen, bathroom or flipping the entire property, it brings with it noise, mess and disruption. There’s no avoiding it. Yet while you can’t skirt around the chaos entirely, you can take some steps to help it feel a bit less chaotic. In this article we take a look at some ways you can stay as organized as possible and remove some of the stress. Just think, once it’s all done, it will be so worth it and you won’t even remember the hassle that came with it! Keep reading to get inspired.
Have a clear plan in place before work begins
As with anything in life, the stronger the foundation, the better the project will be. Start off with a plan whereby you clarify what you want from the renovation, how you want it to go and what your timeline and budget are. Ensure you define your goals and know what you want from the renovation both in terms of cosmetics and also functionality. You should also set priorities, so the upgrades that need to be done right away, and things that can perhaps wait. Finally, make sure you hire reputable professionals that have detailed (positive) reviews about them and that provide you with a quote that fits in with your budget. While this phase might feel cumbersome, you’ll feel much happier when you have everything set in place and ready to go.
Designate a renovation zone to try and condense the mess
Once the work starts is when the fun really begins! Every renovation causes dust and noise, but the trick is trying to isolate it to one area to avoid it causing too much disruption. You can use dust barriers such as zipwalls or plastic sheeting to seal off zones and keep the mess in. You can also lay down protective coverings on your floors, hallways and common areas, even old cardboard boxes flattened and placed as a walkway can work really well in preventing scratches and marks. Finally, limit access to kids and pets and communicate clearly which areas are out of bounds.
Focus on efficiently removing waste
One of the most underestimated disruptions during renovation is the amount of debris that you will accumulate. From old drywall, to lumber scraps, packaging materials and other waste, it can quickly fill up your space and slow down the progress of your entire project. To stop this being an issue, look for a reliable dumpster rental such as those from Red Dog Dumpsters. They specialize in affordable, appropriately-sized dumpsters that fit residential renovation needs. No matter if you’re talking about a whole-house remodel or a small room, using a professional dumpster service helps you to keep your worksite clean, avoids any hazards and makes it a much more pleasant and safe experience overall.
Have a daily cleaning routine
Even with careful containment, construction debris and dust inevitably spread. Encouraging workers to clean at the end of each day prevents clutter from building up and reduces the sense of chaos. Allocate time every day for tidying up, even just ten or fifteen minutes can make a huge difference. Gather up tools, sweep debris and remove trash and you’ll instantly feel happier and calmer. Keeping the site tidy not only improves safety but also helps you mentally recover from seeing your home in disarray.
Communicate with your contractors
Communication is key with any renovation project. If you don’t keep up to date with your contractors, you could experience delays or mistakes which make the project go on for even longer. Schedule weekly check-ins to find out about what progress they’re making and if there are any upcoming tasks or queries you need to be aware of. You should also express any concerns you have and they can let you know if they need any assistance too. You also need to clarify your expectations, being specific about finishes, materials and deadlines. This can help the whole flow go smoothly and the renovation finishes in good time.
Create a temporary living zone (or move somewhere else while the work is taking place)
Depending on the scale of your renovation, some areas of your home may be unusable at times. Planning temporary alternatives can make life a lot easier. You could set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, mini friends and coffee station. Make sure you keep daily essentials accessible and away from the work zone. If possible, it might be worth you finding somewhere else to stay while the works are being completed, particularly if you have children or pets who aren’t aware of the dangers and it will be a lot more work keeping them at home in comparison to going out.
Be prepared for the noise and work hours
Construction is loud, there’s no way around that, but you can manage when the noise happens and how it impacts you. Set reasonable work hours, plan noisy tasks wisely and coordinate your expectations with your contractor to find times that work well for both of you.
These are just a few things that you should come to expect when you are renovating all or part of a house, and how you can hopefully manage it a bit easier. Throughout the process you need to keep in mind how the end result will be worth it, and if it means living with some dust, dirt and noise for a bit, when that’s all gone, you’ll have a home you’re really proud to live in. What are some top bits of advice you have for keeping a home renovation as manageable as possible? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
