Life in a Construction “Remodel” Zone: What to Expect

Kitchen Design IdeasCongratulations! You are taking on a big house remodel to completely make it your own customized home. It’s what you have always dreamed about.

So then why does it feel like you’re living in a disaster area? The truth is, living in a home during a major remodel can be a hectic, stressful process.

Here are a few tips we suggest that homeowners follow in order to remain sane from start to finish:

Pack and Store Displaced Items

Most professional contractors ask the homeowner to clear the area they will be remodeling. But cramming everything from the basement into the living room can cause a major disruption to your daily lifestyle.

Instead, create a plan for packing and storing the contents of the room out of the way well before the workers begin. And if you don’t have a garage, consider renting a storage unit for the short-term (one month or so). The cost might be well worth it to not trip over your bits and pieces every day during the construction phase.

Contain the Chaos

When choosing a remodeling company, always ask references how tidy they left the workspace at the end of each day. Most contractors use plastic sheeting to seal the area under renovation and contain the project’s dust and debris.

Set up a Temporary, ‘Mini-Kitchen’

A kitchen remodel can be particularly tricky as you don’t always have access to the appliances you tend to use daily. With this in mind, set up a mini-kitchen in another area of the house with running water. You will be surprised at how much you can make with a mini-fridge, microwave and blender. And be sure to stock the area with paper plates and plastic utensils for easy clean up.

You also can consider using your outdoor grill. Even if the kitchen isn’t completely out of commission it can still be challenging to cook a healthy meal every night while you’re remodeling. So, before the project gets underway, prepare and freeze dishes that can be reheated in the microwave. Additionally, stock up on healthy grab-and-go snacks, such as fruit, nuts and peanut butter.

Designate Areas for Kids and Pets

We get it: disruption of your normal routine can be confusing and stressful to both kids and pets. (and neither should be underfoot in a remodeling construction area).

Prior to the start of the project, set up a comfortable area away from the room being remodeled for pets – including all of their essentials. This way they have some time to readjust to a new area before dealing with the strange noises and flow of people in and out of your home.

At Republic West Remodeling, we’re proud of the more than 17,000 Phoenix home remodeling projects we’ve completed since 1995 – fantastic kitchen remodels, bath remodels, whole house remodels, room additions and outdoor living spaces – all projects that added sophistication, style, value and function to our clients’ homes.

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