Remodeling your home can be a nerve-wracking experience. Aside from the obvious expense, the disruption of your life can be a huge factor in your decision to proceed with the renovation. Loud hammers and sanders, smelly glue and varnish, dust and debris everywhere, strangers in your home at all hours of the day – make no mistake, it is a noisy, messy experience. But if all goes well, the payoff can be tremendous. You will reap the benefits for years to come.
So how to survive the remodel without losing your sanity? Here are a few tips:
- Communicate with your contractor frequently. This will allow you to stay on top of the project, as well as determining timetables for some of the more (ob)noxious activities like the application of finishes or loud demolitions so you can plan to be away from home.
- Control waste. Work out a plan to haul away debris and waste on a regular basis; hang tarps in the doorways to seal off rooms where particularly dusty, dirty work is being done.
- Create a safe haven. If you are living at home during the renovation, be sure to map out an area where you have access to everything you need for day-to-day activities without having to enter the construction zone. This might necessitate moving a microwave or small refrigerator to your bedroom, having a good supply of bottled water, etc.
- Protect your belongings. This is critical, and not surprisingly, this is where a storage unit can be a life saver. The cost of replacing electronic equipment or fine furniture that has been damaged or “misplaced” will far exceed the cost of a small storage unit. Moving as many of your belongings out of harm’s way as possible will give you great peace of mind. (Dollar Storage offers affordable storage with no long-term commitment. Check our locations here.)
- Plan for the unexpected. No remodeling project ever goes exactly as planned. If you understand this from the beginning and build in extra time and money for the project, you will be prepared for the bumps in the road, and have a more satisfactory experience.
At some point, the project will finally be finished. You can close the door, pour yourself a glass of wine, and revel in the splendor – and the silence!