Blog Post

You’re about to undertake a renovation in your home. Whether it’s making over one room or several, it’s important to plan ahead so that you can handle living without certain comforts and enduring other not-so-comforts. Kettler Forlines Homes is both a homebuilder and home remodeler in the DC Metro area. Here are some tips we offer to our clients for how to prepare for home remodeling.

Decide if you will stay in your home during remodeling.

How extensive is your planned renovation? If a large part of your home is going to become a construction zone, you might be better off staying somewhere else—with family, friends, or at a hotel. You might be able to just spend part of the time away from home. Discuss the options with your builder.

Be clear about what you’ll do without.

Your home remodeling project could mean certain conveniences may not be available. Heat, water, electricity, cable, or internet could be temporarily interrupted. Review all of the possibilities with your contractor before the project so you can be prepared to either stay elsewhere or make arrangements for alternative sources.

Empty the area to be renovated.

Move everything out of the space where construction will be going on. Anything you leave behind is at risk of being damaged. It can also present an obstacle or hazard that the crew has to work around. Either move the contents to another part of the house or rent a mobile storage pod for the duration of the home remodeling project.

Prepare the adjacent areas.

Between the movement of tools and people and the dust kicked up during construction, you should protect property near the center of the activity. Remove everything from the adjacent walls (including shelves) and move anything fragile to another part of your home for safekeeping. Cover furniture to keep dust off and make clean-up easier when the project is completed.

Figure out your meal plans.

A kitchen remodel doesn’t happen overnight. You will not be able to use the kitchen’s facilities for the duration of the renovation. If you’ve decided to stay in your home while construction is happening, make other plans for cooking, eating, and cleaning up afterwards. You can move the refrigerator to another room. If you have a utility sink in your laundry room, it will come in handy for washing dishes. Plan your meal prep to use a portable induction burner, microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, crockpot, camp stove, outdoor grill, or other portable appliance—and plenty of takeout. Be sure that any appliances that generate heat must be placed on a sturdy, heat-resistant surface.

Adjust your child’s schedule and activities.

Kids are naturally attracted to something new in the house. The construction area will certainly catch their attention. Protect them by setting clear rules about staying clear of that space—as in, “Keep Out!” Not only could they be injured, but they could also disrupt the workspace and distract the worker you’re paying to get the job done. Schedule things to do outside your home, like play dates elsewhere and after-school activities. Move games and play spaces to another area of the home. 

Protect your pet.

Your pets are used to their spaces and people at home. Some animals become anxious when there’s a change to their routine. Prepare pets for the home remodel with a few simple steps.

• Introduce your dog or cat to the crew. Remember, not everyone loves animals as you do, so the goal is not for them to fall in love with your fur family but to know who they are and any quirks (like nervous barking).
• Create a secure happy place before construction begins. Gather your pet’s bed, favorite toys, litter box, and food bowls. At least a week before the home remodeling project is scheduled to start, set up their necessities in a safe part of the home. They need time to adjust before their comfy home life is disrupted.
• Walk your dog more often. Plan on exercising your dog more often. You’ll get them out of the house and use up some energy (theirs and yours). If you can’t walk them yourself, ask a friend or hire a professional dog-walker.
• Keep the floors safe. Your remodeling crew should be cleaning up every day, but there’s always the chance that a stray nail, tack, or sharp item could be missed. If a curious pet wanders in the wrong place, they could injure their paws. Plan on checking the floors daily and sweeping anything that could pose a risk.
• Consider boarding. Animals that become anxious around loud noise will likely have difficulty during renovation. Rather than subject your beloved pet to the stress, look into boarding at a nearby kennel.

Get into the right mindset. 

The noise and disarray can be stressful for some people. Look at it as an adventure. Make a list with your family members of fun things to do outside the home. An outdoor activity, like a hike or picnic, is a great way to recharge your personal batteries. Going to a movie or out to eat, visiting a gallery or museum, or attending a festival, sporting event, or concert provides a pleasant escape. Maybe shop for new decor for your new space! Above all, remind yourself that this is temporary and it’s a necessary step to get the home you want. 

Choose the right remodeler.

The right home remodeler can make a huge difference in the renovation experience. Be sure to check with the contractor’s references to find out if they arrived on time, were respectful of the home, cleaned up at the end of the day, and met the schedule as promised. Here are some other questions to ask your remodeler.

If your home is in the DC Metro area, consider Kettler Forlines Homes. We’ve been building beautiful homes in the region for more than 40 years, and we also offer our skills as a home remodeler. Talk to us about your ideas and we can guide you through the process of design through construction.