5 Things You Shouldn’t Forget To Do When Renovating

Home renovations are exciting, but they can also be chaotic. Don’t let the chaos ruin your days, though. These must-do tips will help you get through the renovation with minimal problems, and you may just be able to maintain most of your daily routines, too.

Tip #1: Put security first

Chances are that you can trust your contractor and any workers they bring in, but it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. Consider adding a smart lock to your home. These locks allow you to set up temporary entrance codes, which you can give to your contractor. Change the code out weekly so that crews that should no longer have access to your home no longer have a working code – only current workers that the contractor has given the code to will have access.

Tip #2: Make it mobile

You may not be able to empty out the room completely during renovations, or you may need to set up multi-purpose areas in rooms that aren’t being renovated. A combination of wheeled carts and folding tables can do the trick. For example, if you are renovating the kitchen, move your crockpot and microwave onto a wheeled cart so you can move it out of the kitchen whenever the renovations make it impossible to cook in there. You can use folding tables in a different room as a temporary prep area so that you can still prepare meals at home. A little bit of foresight will keep your home running smoothly at all stages of renovation.

Tip #3: Rent storage

Few things are more chaotic than overcrowding, so you don’t want to simply empty out the renovation room into the rest of the house. Instead, invest in a storage unit to keep everything that you can live without during the renovation process. A 5-by-5 foot unit is the same size as a small bathroom, according to Chatsworth storage units, which is plenty of room for the extra stuff during a bathroom or kitchen remodel.

Tip #4: Create a safe zone

If you have kids or pets in the house, take a few minutes to install baby gates or locks on a few interior doors. This will keep the kids and animals from walking into a dangerous work zone. An additional benefit is that you can also be more assured of your privacy.

Tip #5: Change your routines

Finally, begin adapting your routines before the first work crew arrives. Plan to be up and showered earlier, for example, so you aren’t caught in a towel. Find out the work schedule of the crew in advance, so you can plan your day accordingly.

Renovations don’t always go according to plan, but as you prepare ahead of time the smoother you can adapt to the transitions that come. If your project is going to extend over a few weeks’ time or affect the houses nearby, give your neighbors the courtesy of informing them of your plans. As you implement these tips into your routine, renovations will prove to be less difficult.