6 Tips for Living Through a Major Home Renovation
If you can’t find the perfect home, the next best option is a property in good condition with the option of updating it to your preference. Or maybe you’re fixing up your house so you can sell it. But if you live in the house during the remodel, as many of us do, you’re stuck with dust, noise, chaos, and a home that’s not fully functional during the remodel. How will you survive the experience?
- Do One Project At a Time
Many project starters will take on the entire renovation in one go. If you’re planning to live in the property during the renovation, the constant dust and contractors everywhere instead of just one corner of the house is enough to drive anyone crazy.
Instead, create a schedule for your project, and only do one thing at a time. Not only will this be easier on your budget, but you’ll also be prepared for each project as it comes and make plans to better handle each stage of the renovation.
- Separate Your Living Space
Dust, odors, harmful chemicals, and more are associated with your renovation, and if you’re not careful, it can upset your entire lifestyle. Cathy Poshusta, the fixer-upper author of the blog The Grit & Polish, has a few tips for creating a home despite the dust and contractors.
“The hardest part of living through a renovation is the dust,” Poshusta shared with Architectural Digest. “Create a separate living space in your home and cordon it off from your work area with sheets of thick plastic and masking tape. I also like to lay a damp towel on the floor to keep work boots from tracking dust into the living space at the end of the day. Side note: No one has ever regretted buying a Shop Vac.”
This single act of creating a separate living space could be the thing that saves you from a difficult home renovation.
- Plan for Waste
If you think you can avoid the mess of a remodel, you’re in for a surprise. There will be a cascade of dust, rubble, trash, and even harsh chemicals. Although you can’t stop the mess, you can keep the waste in its place.
If you’re working with a contractor, they’ll likely rent a dumpster from a reputable company like https://www.oaksdumpster.com/buffalo-ny-dumpster-rental/ (or one closer to you) and keep the mess in check. A good contractor will clean up at the end of the day, putting demolished materials in the dumpster. Create a designated path to the dumpster to protect your gardens, porches, and other sensitive areas.
- Take a Vacation
Plan a vacation during the busiest time of your renovation when being inside the house will be a hindrance to your contractors. Getting out of the house is great, but it’s best if you stay within an hour drive of your renovation. That way, you can solve problems or approve products if need be.
It’s also smart to stay in a hotel for a night or two just to get away from the mess. It’s cheaper than leaving the whole time, but it can be incredibly rejuvenating. “Give yourself a break when you need it,” says Poshusta. “Renting a hotel room for the night doesn’t cost that much and can give you the renewed energy needed to complete a renovation.”
- Keep the Dust Down
The dust kicked up during a renovation can suffocate, but there are a few ways to keep it under control. Keep up with the daily cleaning, dust, and vacuum regularly, and ask your contractor to do the same. Open windows and doors when weather permits to clean the air and reduce the amount of dust you inhale.
- Pack As If You’re Moving
Carpets can be vacuumed, dishes can be washed, but if construction dust gets on your knick-knacks and precious belongings, it can be a nightmare to clean. Packing away the majority of your belongings will be easier than cleaning them after the remodel.
This is also a good opportunity to cover furniture and relocate large items so they’re not affected by your renovation. In the end, you’ll be grateful you took these precautions.
