This summer may be the time you’re ready to take care of all those remodeling projects you’ve been dreaming of. Or, you may be thinking of just a few small upgrades.  Regardless, if you are planning on living in your home during a remodel, consider long and hard what you are willing to tolerate. We at Chin, MacQuoid Fleming, Harris have been through this ourselves, and we have some tips for getting through the construction with your sanity intact and relationships healthy.

Nail Down Your Budget 

(and then add a bazillion dollars.)

Construction isn’t cheap and even the most frugal bargain shoppers will find that hidden construction costs can be shocking. In addition to cost overages and additional labor expenses, it’s very easy to ring up the charges because home improvement stores and design centers make it very easy to want to upgrade. Decide beforehand on what areas you have wiggle room to splurge and be firm with the rest of the budget. If you start your project with a bazillion dollars added in, you’ll be thrilled that you came in under budget rather than traumatized at what the actual cost ended up being.

Pack It All

(and throw the rest away)

Remember the last time you moved? We’d bet you wondered why you didn’t do yourself the favor of cleaning out all your unwanted stuff out while you still lived there. Now’s your chance to make it right – get rid of everything except the things you want to keep. Pack like you’re moving. Wrap and store belongings such as knick-knacks in boxes, because if construction dust coats them, they are a nightmare to clean. They will feel like new again once the remodel is complete and they are unpacked.

Create a Construction Zone 

(and don’t go there too often)

During a remodel, homeowners and pets should stay away from the construction area. People often forget that a railing is not there anymore and they can accidently fall. For your family’s safety, the work area should be blocked off. If possible, we recommend building plywood barriers with doors around the construction zone. If it’s feasible, we even recommend you build a separate entrance so that the crew is not crossing paths with you. To keep construction dust under control, try to broom sweep the construction area at the end of each day. Once the dust is swept into a pile, it can be vacuumed with a Shop-Vac or shoveled away. If you don’t do this, you’ll still be finding construction dust floating through your home for months to come.

Define Your Private Space 

(remember your first dorm room?)

Create a “down-sized” living space that separates you from the construction area. We all need a place that restores our sense of balance and control in life, especially during a remodel.Let everyone in the family know what area is theirs, and where the family gathering spaces will be. Move in everything you need in order to feel like your life has some organization and routine, and pack everything else away.

Set Up a Mini-Kitchen 

(yippee! Pop Tarts for dinner!)

When doing a kitchen remodel from scratch, we recommend that you set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in your home. You can easily do this in the living room, den or garage. Just a table with your microwave, toaster oven, toaster, coffee maker and a small refrigerator can make all the difference.

Keep this in mind when Remodeling Your Home 

Unless you are tearing your home down to the studs, most people choose to live in their house during a remodel and survive the process just fine. Don’t wait until the job starts to assign your designated living space and get situated within your new home-within-a-home. As long as you stay ahead of the dust, trust us, the project will eventually come to an end and you’ll quickly forget all the inconvenience. You can do this, and it is SO worth it!

Looking to sell your remodelled property? Contact us today at 435-647-8035 or email info@CFHparkcity.com for all your Park City real estate needs!