Looking forward to the excitement of a home remodel, but not sure you’re 100% prepared? Our team here at PBH Builders in San Diego has overseen many remodeling projects, and we’ve got some tips to get you ready!
Take pictures of your space before the remodel
This isn’t only important for the “before” and “after” pictures you’ll show your friends and family. It’s also a key part of the auditing process. You want to document what your home looks like now and all current belongings for insurance purposes
Downsize as much as possible
If you’ve been thinking of decluttering your space, now is the time to do it! Take a few days to go through your belongings in the area of the house being remodeled. Do you have duplicates of anything? Can you sell anything or give a few items away as gifts or donations? You can also ask yourself how many of your belongings or furniture pieces will align with your new design. If you feel they’ll look out of place, it’s okay to part with them.
The fewer physical things you need to worry about during the remodel, the better!
Decide where your furniture will go
You may have a garage, spare room, or guest house that can function as a temporary storage space for your furniture, art, rugs, and other items. Or, if space is tight as it is, you might consider bringing in a portable storage container.
Have a pet plan
If you have a pet that gets nervous with loud sounds or isn’t friendly towards strangers, it might be best for your furry friend to stay with a trusted friend or family member while workers are on site. This will reduce their stress and yours during the remodel.
Bring your neighbors into the loop
Even if you’re planning a minor remodel, it’s common courtesy to let your neighbors know. This will reduce the risk of issues or noise complaints and generally keep the peace in your part of the neighborhood.
Be prepared to let them know how long the project is expected to last, whether street parking will be affected, and the basic plans for your remodel.
And let your work team know, too
It’s also a good idea to let your coworkers and manager know that you’re planning a remodel.
On the one hand, if you work from home, you may need to make some adjustments to ensure that the noise from the remodel doesn’t affect work meetings.
Or, if you work in the office, there may be times when you need to take a call from your contractors about time-sensitive decisions.
Keeping your work team in the know will make it easier to balance your work responsibilities with your remodel.
Consider whether you’ll stay or go
If your remodel is going to make your home an inconvenient place to live for a while, you may choose to stay somewhere temporarily. You might be able to find an Airbnb in your neighborhood, a family member with an extra room, or a nearby hotel.
If you’re not sure whether you want to stay or go, ask your trusted contractor for their input! We’ve seen many remodeling jobs and can provide honest insight about whether we think it would be feasible for you to live at home during the remodel or not.
Think about logistics like cooking and showering
If you’re going to be staying at home during the remodel, you may face a few inconveniences that require consideration. For instance, where will you shower if the water has been shut off or you’re in the middle of a bathroom renovation? Or, what will you do about food storage during your kitchen remodel? Having a budget for eating out or using your local gym shower will help you navigate these kinds of disruptions.
Ask us what else we think you should put on your list
Every home remodel is different, so our team might have some unique ideas about how to prepare your home. For example, if you’re expanding a room of your home, we might recommend that you hold off on landscaping until after the remodel, since our work will affect your outdoor space.
So, even if you think that you’ve properly prepared for your remodel, make sure to double check with us!
Enjoy the calm before the big change!
Finally, one thing that we always recommend before the remodel begins is that you enjoy this moment to rest up and get ready! While we’ll be there every step of the way to make the process smooth and efficient, remodels have many moving parts. Even when everything goes according to plan, it can be mentally and physically tiring.
So, take this opportunity to relax, spend quality time with family and pets, don’t start any big new projects, and get excited about the upcoming changes.
Have more questions about your upcoming remodel?
Here at PBH Builders in San Diego, we’re here to make your upcoming remodel as stress free and smooth as possible! So, if you’re wondering what else you can do to prepare for the big day, reach out with any questions you may have!
And, if you’re in the planning stages of a remodel, PBH Builders is the team you need! We service all of the San Diego area, including Encinitas, La Mesa, Bonita and more!
