Nothing beats the feeling of entering your home after the big renovation project. After the heavy work is done, it’s like you entered the house for the first time. However, behind that rewarding feeling of accomplishment lays weeks of hard work and patience. From deciding on the size of your renovation process to cleaning the last molecule of dust after the construction work, you’ll need to carefully execute and coordinate every day in order to have a stress-free home upgrade. Still, nothing can happen without proper research and preparation, especially if you have never done it before. If you are wondering how to survive your first home renovation, here are a couple of essential steps that will make the process much more bearable.
Think in advance
Time is one of the most precious things in life and business evenly. Thus, to be most efficient in a first-time remodeling endeavor you’ll need to plan every step of it. Start with estimating the available budget. Naturally, the amount of money will dictate the size of a project.
Afterward, research the recommendable and affordable contractor services in the area and acquire necessary material. All this should be prepared before the work starts. If you’re thinking about engaging in DIY home remodeling without previous experience, think again. Even though doing things by yourself instead of hiring a contractor will save some money, the process is very time-consuming. Not the mention the potential mishaps that could turn out into additional expenses.
Prioritize the renovation goals
Making choices is never easy. Still, the secret of how to survive your first home renovation lays in making good plans and schedules. But the most important thing is knowing exactly what you want from your remodeling project. What are the absolutely necessary upgrades? What are the things that can wait for a budget boost? Maybe you’ll want to focus on home improvements that raise the value of a house instead? Naturally, everyone should focus on structural issues or damage that need to be fixed before taking a further step. Still, making clear plans and separating in into steps, prioritizing the most necessary improvements first, is crucial.
Talk with your contractor and estimate the time necessary for each of those steps. However, even with the estimate, you should count potential extra hours on them. Knowing what to expect will help you navigate the process easier, counting days till the work is over.
Protect your possessions
Smaller home renovations require a simple covering up the furniture or moving it to the side. However, if you’re facing major home improvements, you might want to consider temporarily storing your furniture in a safer place. You can try with some in-house storage tricks, using a garage, closets, the attic, or other off-limits renovation areas as storage. Alternatively, you can rent out a storage unit and pack your items there until the job is done. Whatever you decide, make sure your furniture is well protected, especially during transport.
Organize temporary living space
The trickiest part when it comes to major house renovations is the disruption of our habits. It’s a long process that gives you two options – you either temporarily move or adapt to life in the house during the construction. The first option might sound easier, though it can be a significant blow to your budget. Your living circumstances will still change and you’ll lack insights into the work progress. Let’s face it, talking over the phone is not the same as talking and seeing things in person. Of course, that would mean you’ll need to live nearby or in the home during work, which can be daunting. Still, if you prepare well, living in a home during renovation is tolerable.
Choose a room that will be your temporary living space, and improvise with all the necessities it should have. Move the microwave, the mini-fridge, and other food essentials there, so you’d have proper meals out of debris reach. In addition, if the construction requires shutting off water for a while, prepare bottles and arrange the place for showers. Additionally, explore the on-site storage options. With a storage container in your backyard, you can keep all the essential items easily reachable. That way, your temporary living space will be more comfortable. You can find plenty of valuable on-site storing tips at excalibur-movers.com, alongside advice for packing and transferring your possessions during the move.
Minimize the chaos
Whether it comes to your temporary living space or the rest of the house, home remodeling time demands constant tidying up. You can’t depend on the contractors to clean after themselves thoroughly, so stay vigilant when it comes to tidying up and removing debris when you can. To make it easier for maintenance, seal off rooms where remodeling is happening. You can hang tarps or protection foil to keep the dirt from spreading. But first, you need to consult the contractor about the waste logistic and advise in case floors needs protection.
Besides taking care of the debris, it’s crucial to air the rooms whenever is possible. Daily use of glues, paints, finishes, and other odorous materials will make the air toxic and polluted. Thus, often ventilation during the renovation will benefit your health and it will stop odors from getting into all surfaces.
Befriend the contractor
Needless to say that finding a great contractor will make your home improvement experience much more enjoyable. You need to be sure you’re on the same page and that your contractor understands exactly what you want. Work out your plans and schedules with him and stick to them as much as possible. Good communication is the key to any successful cooperation, including this one. This is important especially if you plan to live on a renovation site. Still, keep in mind to set up boundaries. Leave the work to the pros without constant interference and too many questions. However, have open communication whenever is necessary.
Expect the unexpected!
Embarking into new, unfamiliar turf is exciting and stressful at the same time. Nevertheless, no matter how well you think you’re prepared for it, you should always be ready for unexpected changes. Perhaps the renovation prolongs a couple of days, or the supplier can’t provide you with the required material…Or it could be million other things. Whatever it is, you’ll have to stay patient and include a sum of potential additional expenses when estimating a project budget. Remember that the secret of how to survive your first home renovation lays in good research, preparation, communication, and organization. These given tips can help you navigate the process easier, anticipating the problems that usually come with major home improvements.
