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remodeling 101 part 5 - how to survive a home renovation

Hope your new year is off to a great start.

In our previous post, we explained the 3 main paths through which design will transition to construction:
1. design-build done in-house by the same firm
2. architect-contractor by negotiated bid
3. architect-contractor by competitive bid

Let's say you are convinced that full service design-build is the way to go and you are happy working with the design-builder you selected (we hope that would be us) through the design, permitting, and construction document phases. Then, what you need to focus on is preparing your family and neighbors so as to minimize inconveniences.

time for a garage sale?

Well, as you might have heard from friends and neighbors, having your house remodeled would likely result in pretty significant disruptions in your daily life. For those of you who are willing and able, moving to a temporary apartment, an airstream parked on your driveway, your villa in Napa, or grandma's, all represent sensible escapes from the dust and chaos. So, in this issue, we try to address homeowners who choose to stay in the house during construction.

1. Have a plan: a good builder will work with you regarding

setting up temporary facilities (such as kitchen)
crew work hours, any special considerations
sealing the work areas from other quarters
containing dust and protecting floors
noxious flumes or odors alert
mitigating noise if you work at home
designating a separate entrance for the crew
storage of tools and parking
house keys and pets
daily and special cleanup plans
waste hauling plans to maximize recycling and minimize waste streams
portable toilet or bathroom access

rearrange rooms for everyday living

move the kitchen

seal the work areas

2. Rally your whole family

perfect time to declutter your home
hold a garage sale, donate, recycle
rearrange rooms for everyday living
cover and/or relocate sensitive and valuable things such as electronics and fine furniture and even plants
make sure all family members understand the process; elect one as the chief communicator to the contractor

3. Be extra nice to your neighbors

inform your neighbors regarding work schedules
apologize for the noise, dust, and general inconveniences
figure out parking do's and don'ts
alert them when there are periods of more intense activities or noise levels
bring them a pie

4. Expect the unexpected

allow for contingency in your budget
allow for schedule adjustments with change orders
be patient with final details: these are the touches that will make your project shine
be thorough with the punch list