If you’re going to have major construction on your home, you need to do some major preparation before work begins. By preparing your home pre-construction you are not only helping out the contractor and other construction crew who will be working on this space, but you are also expediting the building process as these preparations can lead to a more immediate start on the actual construction. There are a few things you can do to ensure that your home is ready for renovation.
First, it is important to remove all of the valuables that will be in the line of construction. This includes any breakables that are in or near where the construction will take place. Large furniture, electronics and wall art should be taken down so that it is not damaged or in the way of the construction work. Pack these objects away, and put them in storage to ensure there is no clutter in the way of the work taking place.
Next you will want to invest in some plastic covers. Any path leading to the construction site in your home should be covered. While this may seem excessive, it is better to be safe than sorry. Construction workers will be walking in and out of your home with supplies. They will have materials on their clothing and shoes that can be tracked throughout your home. Covering all areas of your home in plastic is a way to prevent any additional and unnecessary cleanup after construction.
Make sure you are planning to adapt the way you are living while construction is going on. Whether that is setting up a temporary kitchen in the family room, or only using the upstairs restroom, make sure that you are going to be able to follow your normal routine with adjustments that don’t hinder the construction process. It is not always convenient to change up your living conditions, however preparing for these changes will make for smooth sailing when it comes to the construction process.
You should also talk with your contractor about what happens if things in your home are left damaged. For example, if a ladder crushed your plants during construction and this is a result of carelessness by the crew, you need to workout a contract of how unnecessary damages will be taken care of. You also need to include in that conversation what things need to be taken care of to prevent damages. If shrubs need to be removed and replanted, this should be known in the pre-construction stage. You don’t want to leave anything open ended, and should any damage happen to your home that is unnecessary, you want to be sure that you know how it will be dealt with and taken care of.
In the end, preparation is key. It is important to prepare yourself and your home for construction work. You need to prepare your space in physical ways such as removing valuables and putting down plastic tarp, and you also need to prepare in contractual ways such as discussing the repercussions from additional damages due to accidents or carelessness. Construction is invasive and it is often difficult, but if you prepare for these difficulties and adjust to the changes you will make the process not only easier for you, but also easier for the construction crew as well.
Written by Mike Wolfe of Mike Wolfe Construction. Mike and his crew offer the best service for home improvement in Columbia MO has to offer!
