Remodel Your Home

Remodeling Disruptions: How to Survive Your Remodel Project

By Joseph Irons, Irons Brothers Construction Inc

 Planning a home remodel can be an exciting time for many homeowners. You can envision the changes and improvements to your home and the increased quality of life. During your planning make sure to also consider the disruptions you may face during construction. Being prepared for these is the key to a stress free successful remodel.

Loss of privacy can be difficult for most homeowners and is important to be aware of. If you are a late riser or work from home, you may wish to alter your living, sleeping and bathing patterns during construction. Most carpenters will arrive and start work when most of you are still in your pajamas. Consider what the scheduled work hours will be when hiring your remodeling contractor and how greatly they will impact your daily life. Then discuss your situation with your contractor and make modifications to accommodate their presence in your home.

Loss of space is especially challenging during kitchen and bathroom remodels which can be very invasive. Plan ahead and create alternate living conditions that will make life a little easier. These may include creating a temporary kitchen, using an alternate bathroom or, depending on the size of your remodel, relocating altogether.

Try to avoid scheduling construction around major family events, holidays or any time of the year when you normally entertain guests. Also, be prepared that your contractor will be occupying more space than just the room being remodeled. They will need a space to store materials, tools and debris. They will also need a place to work with and cut materials and rinse off dirty tools.

Dust and dirt are inevitable in construction, but with the proper tools and techniques, your contractor can minimize its exposure to your home. Most professional remodelers will set up dust and debris seals to contain the work areas. But even the most meticulous protection might not keep all of the dust out.

Be prepared by removing and/or covering susceptible items, such as pianos, wall art and upholstered furniture. Make sure to communicate with your contractor about any health concerns or allergies you and your family members have so additional precautions can be taken if necessary. You should also ensure that everyone in the house, including children, pets and guests, stay out of the construction zone for their health and safety until the work is completed.

Noise is often the forgotten side effect of construction. One day the noise may be nonexistent, and the next day it might feel like it's out of control. During construction, tools and equipment will be used and may cause a nuisance not only to you but also your neighbors (and especially pets). Know the construction schedule, and find out when the noisiest work will occur. Then inform your household and the surrounding areas of the disruption. Consider finding a quiet and safe room for your pets to be secured in during work hours or locate alternate housing.

In conclusion, we suggest ironing out these lesser-known disruptions with your contractor and making some modifications to your living space and daily routines in order to accommodate the construction. This can be done with a little planning and preparation, and the end result will be a smoother and less disruptive remodeling experience for you and your family.

Joseph Irons, CGR GMB CAPS CGP, is the president of Irons Brothers Construction, Inc and is a contributing writer to HomeMatters, a consumer publication of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.