Surviving
a renovation
A renovation is like a journey you
take with your contractors, your family, and even your
neighbors. As with any journey, preparation is everything.
Notify your neighbors
Talk to your neighbors well in advance if you are planning a
major renovation. They'll appreciate knowing about potential
construction noise and when to expect extra vehicles parked on
the street. They’re also more likely to be cooperative about
things such as allowing a builder to rest ladders on their lawns
if they’ve been included in the plans.
Work with your contractor
Make sure you have solid communication with your contractor. You
are trusting this person with your major asset and your
sanctuary. You need to know that he or she will be there for you
if a problem arises.
Be sure to check in with the site supervisor on a daily
basis. If you have a partner, run all major questions by each
other before giving the contractor a final answer. Discuss
concerns with your contractor as soon as they arise. Don't wait
for 'the right moment.'
Set a timeline
Talk to your contractor about the various steps and stages of
the renovation. Usually, with an addition, the foundation is dug
first, then the floors and walls are roughed-in and the roof is
shingled before breaking through to the existing part of the
house. Be aware that exterior work goes fairly quickly relative
to the more detailed work inside.
Ask your contractor to outline what the work involves and
present a realistic timetable. Experienced contractors know to
build in a time-cushion for the unforeseen, and you should
include a 10-percent cushion in your budget as well.
Make choices in advance
Choose everything before the work starts -- sinks, cabinets,
toilets, tiles, colors. You don’t want to have to take time
off work at the last minute to run around to design stores. If
choosing colors is not your thing, consider hiring an interior
decorator. He or she can advise you on how to choose paint
colors that harmonize with tiles and cabinetry, and how to
ensure color flows from area to area.
Once you have plans you like, try not to make major changes
during the building process. Most people make small alterations
as the work progresses, but choosing to enlarge a closet or add
a skylight once the work is well underway can mean frustrating
delays waiting for supplies, as well as considerable extra
expense. A major change midstream can cost twice as much as it
would cost if it were factored into the original plan.
Be family-friendly
Try not to make any major life changes, such as starting a new
job or having a baby, during a major renovation. If a big change
does occur just before a planned project begins, consider
postponing the work.
Involve older children in the planning stages so they feel
part of what is going on. Plan to spend quality time with
younger children off-site, swimming or at a library program.
Work out playtimes with neighbors and family so young children
don’t feel bored and cooped up.
Try to move out
If possible, move out during construction. Perhaps you could you
live with relatives or rent a place nearby. It might be a good
time to take a mini vacation or send kids to camp. Also,
consider boarding your pets at a kennel or having them stay with
friends until your house is settled.
If you must stay
Set up a temporary kitchen with a hot plate, microwave and a
small fridge. Many people choose the laundry room so they have a
water source and can wash their dishes in the sink.
Construction dust is inevitable. On most large jobs, a
renovator will build a temporary wall and put in a plastic
doorway between the new and existing part of a home. But don’t
expect it to keep out the dust. Take down your drapes and cover,
or even store, your good furnishings. When the renovation is
complete, many contractors will come in and clean the whole
house as part of the job.
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