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Whether it is doing dishes in the bathroom or laundry room sink or cooking meals on hot plates in the garage, a home remodel can interrupt your regular lifestyle.
It seems crazy, but knowing what you and your home will go through will reduce stress throughout the project. To survive your remodel with less tears and headaches, nail down the specifics and consider the following.
CHECK OUT: Angie's List Guide to Planning a Remodeling Project
Remodel timeline
When planning a remodel, one of the first things that comes to mind is how much time the project will take. Permits, inspections, scheduling and building are just a few of the many aspects of a remodel, and all of these parts of the puzzle take a considerable amount of time.
It’s important to realize that you never know exactly how much time a new project will take. Because of this, start as early as you can. When you are starting to work on the design, make sure permits are being pulled and scheduling starts to take place. But don’t forget to be flexible with the deadline. You don’t want the contractors to feel rushed, otherwise the overall quality of the work may be compromised.
Staging area
When the materials start to arrive for your project, consider where everything will be stored until they start going into place. Many people will use their garage or driveway. If this is the case, plan ahead for where you will park your car during that time. If your garage is not available to store some of the items that need to be protected from rain and other weather conditions, you will need somewhere else secure and weatherproof for those materials. Some people rent a temporary storage container that can be delivered to your property and secured.
MORE: Pros and Cons to Purchasing Your Own Home Remodel Construction Materials
Kitchen remodel
Before embarking on a kitchen remodel, many homeowners wonder where they will cook and do the dishes. It’s important to work with what you have. Set up the fridge in the laundry room or garage. Some homes have an additional fridge already, so this eases the concern of keeping food. Some people may set up an electric range in their garage. If you do this, be sure to keep it away from oily rags or anything else that is flammable. A toaster oven, microwave and a hot plate in your laundry room or garage will likely get you and your family through most meals. A kitchen remodel also provides a good excuse for your family to get out and try some new restaurants.
Bathroom remodel
Think about how a bathroom remodel will affect the schedules of the people in your home. (Photo courtesy of Innovate Building Solutions in Cleveland)
Doing a bathroom remodel? If you are remodeling one bathroom, you likely have another bathroom available to use. However, it’s important to consider how your family’s morning and evening routines may have to change. Inform anyone who lives in the home of the changes, and listen to what each person’s schedule may be like. You might need to create a shower schedule while one bathroom is out of commission. This will save you from unneeded stress during the remodel.
Curb appeal
If your home is undergoing an extensive remodel, your front yard is going to look a lot different than it normally does. You might see trucks and trailers parked in your driveway or along the street, a construction dumpster, pallets of materials, and debris. During a remodel, it's important to be cautious of materials that are sitting out. Remember to let your neighbors know what is going on ahead of time.
Construction zone
Home remodels can be messy, but your contractor should clean the area at the end of each workday. (Photo by Summer Galyan)
Home renovations mean your abode turns into a construction zone. There will be loud noises and people coming and going during the day. Consider what this means for you. If you work during the day, this might not cause an issue. But if there is a stay-at-home parent with kids who need a nap at some point, plan ahead to go to a friend or family member’s house. Workers may play music while working. If this bothers you or your children, don’t be afraid to tell them to turn the music down or off for a certain time during the day.
MORE: Top Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Trends
These are just a few things to think about when remodeling. If you have any other questions, ask your remodeler.
About this Experts Contributor: Jenna Harris is the marketing assistant for Snap Construction, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. Founded in 2007, Snap Construction focuses on excellent customer service. Harris is a writer for the Experts Contributor Program. Find Snap Construction on Twitter and Facebook.
As of July 6, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.