Depending on the type of renovation or remodel that you’re completing, you could have projects that involve tearing out old walls, windows, cabinets, water heaters, or other permanent fixtures of your home. You can expect that it’s going to be dusty, dirty, noisy, and disruptive. Often remodel projects require that you avoid certain rooms or even entire areas of your home. If you’re like most homeowners, moving out of the house until the work is done is not an option. This means that you’ll have to live among the chaos of construction.
If you’re going to be surrounded by the process, it’ll be a good idea to find ways to adapt and cope so that you can survive your home remodel. You’ll want to find ways to stay organized. With careful planning, it will be possible to survive your renovations without tearing your hair out. Even with all of the disorder, you can minimize the inconvenience and give yourself a way to collect your thoughts amid the sawing, drywall dust, and constant hammering. Let’s take a look at some tips for surviving your home remodel project.
1. Plan ahead.
Your house might be in shambles, but you’ll still want hot meals, a nice bed, clean clothes, and a warm shower. If your kitchen is off-limits, you can plan for this by moving the microwave into the living room and investing in a hotplate. It might mean that you have to live like a college student for a time, but you can still enjoy hot meals. Additionally, it would help if you planned for an occasional power outage, loss of air conditioning or heat, and a lack of hot water.
Remodels that require a new water heater might mean that you have to live with cold water for a day or so. Tankless water heaters might require that additional work be done. For example, the installer might need to move the plumbing around or build a space on the wall for the tankless unit. Depending on whether it is natural gas or an electric model, you might have gas lines run or new electrical wiring. If this is the case, you might be without hot water and need to visit a neighbor or relative to shower. Entering your remodel project with a plan can help you prepare for disruptions and reduce stress.
2. Find storage.
A good way to ensure that you have some control in the chaos is to find a storage unit for some of your stuff that might be in the way during construction. This will also be a good way to protect any valuable items or things you don’t want to get dusty or dirty. Wood furniture, flammable materials, and large appliances might be among the items that you’ll want to put into a storage space. Storage units come in a variety of sizes and will allow you to put all of your valuables and other items away until the remodel is over. Depending on where you live, you can search for “storage facilities in Albuquerque,” for example, to find a quality storage unit near you. Having your home cleared of items that might be in the way or get broken will give you control and peace of mind during your remodel.
3. Set a budget.
Living in a house that has been taken over by construction with limited space, constant disruptions, and limited hot water and electricity can make you feel that you aren’t in control. One thing that will help you regain your sense of control will be to establish a budget and then work within the confines of that. If you can stick to your budget while completing your projects, you will have a sense of accomplishment.
Surviving a major remodel be stressful and overwhelming. If you do some planning and set a budget, you can take control of the situation and survive the lack of hot water, the mess, and all of the other inconveniences of construction in your home.
