How to Prepare for a Remodel

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By Sharon Meier
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Time to Remodel

A remodeled home will bring you joy now and extra dollars at resale time. Prepare for your remodel by planning ahead. Remodeling will disrupt your life, create a dusty mess, and you will have to rough it for a while in your own home. Plan a remodeling checklist and decide on alternative places to do your daily activities while your house is under construction. You may be without your kitchen sink, stove, bath, etc. for a short time. The end result of a good remodeling project is worth all of the inconveniences that happen during the construction. Below are some steps to help you prepare for your remodel.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Command Center

Create a Command Center
Designate an area in your home that you can leave messages for your contractors. A good place for this is by the entry way that everyone will use. Set up some type of a message board. Attach a set of remodeling drawings and plans plus project details and a schedule. Contact numbers and any special requests should be left on your message board. Let your contractors know if you have pets or children in the house.
Step 2

Clear Space

Clear the Clutter
Before the remodeling starts you should have the majority of your possessions packed up and out of the way. The more that you can pack away before the construction begins the less you will have to clean up afterward. Move all of your furniture and accessories to another area of your home.
Step 3

Create Traffic Areas
Your contractors will be walking in and out of your home with tools, materials and often dirty shoes. Be sure to create a path for them to use that is easily accessible. Protect any flooring that might be used by your contractors. Some of your contractors will need to access the basement for the plumbing, electrical or heating. These areas will need to be cleared of clutter also. Designate one bathroom that your contractors can use while they are working.
Step 4

Keep Children and Pets Safe
During the construction phase you will want to keep both your children and pets safe. Create an area to keep your pets in while there are contractors in your home, and be sure that your children are kept safe and out of the construction zone.
Step 5

Driveways and Garages
To prepare for your remodel create a space in your garage to store all extra items. You may need to have a dumpster in your yard. Also, you can expect many large trucks coming to deliver your materials so plan to have a space cleared for them.
Step 6

Recycle Old Cabinets

Recycle
There may items that you want to recycle from your remodel such as cabinets. Be sure to mark these items well and create a place to store them. Call your local recycling center and find out what materials can be recycled.
Step 7

Control the Dust
Remodeling will create a lot of dust. Before your remodeling project begins plan to cover all of your furnishings and put up protective plastic to keep the dust from flowing through your home. Keep all doors closed and run the furnace only as needed. Vacuum daily to help control the dust. Set out a broom and garbage cans for contractors to use for easy cleanup.