How to Prepare for Your Spring Remodel

Springtime is on the horizon and if you’re planning for your home to undergo a major remodel or renovation, now is the time to start preparing. Figuring out where to begin can be overwhelming but we’ve put together this quick and easy guide to help you get started. Check out our tips for preparing both your home and your family for a remodel.

Should You Stay or Should You Go?

Any renovation is going to cause inconvenience but if you are planning a major remodel, particularly for your kitchen and bathroom, staying somewhere else during the project may be the better option. Of course, this decision largely depends on if you have room in your budget for a short-term rental or another place to stay. Your family and pets will also play a huge role in this decision. A loud remodel is no place for pups and small children, so it may well be in your family’s best interest to find temporary accommodations.

Once you’ve decided to stay or go, it’s time to move on the next step. If you’re staying in the home, decide which rooms can reasonably be used during the remodel. If you’re sizing down to one bathroom during the project, go ahead and start planning a temporary schedule then do a few weekend practice runs with the family. Find a place for a makeshift kitchen and decide if you need small appliances like a mini-fridge and a countertop convection oven to help create the space. Start decluttering and packing up the rooms that will be remodeled. Don’t forget to remove anything hanging on the walls in rooms adjacent to the project.

Take an Audit

While you are packing and decluttering, take a written audit of all permanent home property. This is for both your benefit and for insurance purposes.

Update Security System

First, hire a reputable contractor to perform all of your projects so you don’t have to worry about theft and other nefarious activities. Even so, updating your security and video camera system is still important and essential to your peace of mind. This is especially important if you are planning to stay elsewhere during the project.

Eat-In or Take Out

If you’re staying in the home during a kitchen remodel, meal planning can be tricky. We suggest planning all of your meals now to help relieve the stress later. Now is the time to make freezer meals (use to-go casserole dishes) and stock up on paper plates and plastic utensils. This is also the time to clear out the pantry by eating up what you have and throwing out what you don’t want. Plan takeout or restaurant meals in your menu, too. The stress of cooking in a non-kitchen will get to you, and you will need pizza nights and family nights out at the local diner.

Clear the Way

Think about your home as a workspace and start clearing out anything that could hinder workers or cause an accident. Area rugs and floor mats are an easy way for busy builders to trip and get hurt. Remove any rug or mat that will be in the way including outside. Clear away outside obstructions near doors and make room in your driveway or yard for large construction materials. Cover furniture with sheets or move them altogether to keep them from getting dusty or dinged.

Bonus tip: If you’ve been thinking of joining a gym, now is the time! It’s a great place to get away from the dust and noise, and it’s a convenient place to shower if your bathroom will be out of commission.

Now that you have a plan to start, it’s time to get busy! And if you haven’t hired your cabinet builder for your upcoming kitchen remodel, today is the day to make a move. Get started with McCarley Cabinets today by requesting your free project estimate here.