Staying Organized During a Home Remodel

“During a home remodel, homeowners often must make temporary lifestyle changes until the work is complete,” said Christi Pryor, Marketing Manager with Callen “If remodeling a home completely, some clients may choose to relocate entirely during the remodel. In either case, possessions and appliances must be relocated out of construction areas.”

Ensuring the safety of homeowners and workers, keeping possessions and pets out of harm’s way, and maintaining access to appliances become priorities for preserving comfort until the remodel is finished.

An important decision for a homeowner is what their living arrangements will be during the remodeling period. This is best decided well in advance of the start date, and a qualified remodeling firm such as Callen will be able to provide a detailed plan of which areas in the home will be made less accessible. It is important to form a mutual understanding of how long the project will take and what accommodations will be made. “Homeowners are encouraged to consider where they will eat and do dishes, as well as an available bathroom and shower,” Christi said.

At least one toilet will be available for use, and, circumstances permitting, a temporary shower can be set up. During a kitchen remodel, standalone appliances, like a coffee maker and microwave, may still be usable if moved out of the kitchen. Depending on which areas are available, homeowners can determine what their dining options will be in advance. It is advisable to plan meals ahead of the remodel as much as possible – meals can be prepared in advance and frozen, and take-out or dining out are all options to consider.

Pets should also be given adequate accommodation and kept out of construction areas, as they may pose a safety concern to workers and themselves. “We also install barriers to close off areas while work is underway, which can be accessed once the work site is safe and clean,” said Christi.

Personal possessions must also be cleared out of the construction areas prior to the start date, so that nothing is lost, damaged, or compromising to the worker’s safety. Placing these in labeled boxes or storage bins is an effective storage method, categorizing items by room or function. “This is a great opportunity to take inventory of the home and clear out belongings,” she said. “You can go through drawers and cabinets and donate anything no longer used. If children are in the home, keep a donation bin on hand for old clothes or toys.”

It can be useful to organize these possessions according to where they will be stored post-remodel in order to ease the unpacking process. Items can also be organized according to how likely they are to be used during the remodeling period, keeping the high-priority ones accessible. Unforeseen situations may sometimes extend a renovation, and therefore maintaining access to belongings you may need in the longer-term is important,” Christi said. “Movable storage, such as cabinets on wheels, also helps if items need to be relocated between storage areas as the remodel progresses.”

The quality of the remodeling company will play a large role in a homeowner’s experience during their work. As is standard practice for contracting projects, looking up the remodeler in the Better Business Bureau, determining if they are members of professional organizations like NARI or the MBA, and verifying the validity of their certifications and insurance is recommended prior to deciding on a contractor.

For more information or to arrange a consultation for your home remodel, call Callen at 414-867-2207 or visit CallCallen.com.