Hiring a contractor is only the start of your home remodel, and, if you’ve decided on a large-scale remodel, you’re in for an incredibly long process. A professional remodel takes time to be done well. The last thing you want is for your contractor and their team to rush things only to have to spend more money six months later to fix something that wasn’t done properly the first time. It’s important to know what to expect going on in your home during this transition period.
A Lot of Noise and Dust
If you think you’ll be able to get some work done while the construction crew works on your home, you’re probably mistaken. During a home remodel, you’re turning your home into a construction site (or at least part of it). Many people underestimate the amount of dust that accumulates during the process, and while your contractors will do their best to keep the dust isolated to the area they’re working on, it’s hard to guarantee anything.
The same goes for the noise level while they’re working. Construction tools are loud, and there aren’t many ways to keep them quiet. Your contractor will talk to you about their schedule, so you’ll know when to expect workers in your home and when things should quiet down.
Be Careful Around Construction
When your home is partially a construction site, you need to be aware of construction site safety. Don’t wear open-toed shoes. Wear protective gear if you’re getting close to the active tools. This includes both while the crew is working on your home remodel and when they’ve gone home for the night. Many people are tempted to look at the progress on their home at night after everyone has gone home, but you still need to be careful walking around.
There Will Be A Lot of People
The size of your construction crew will vary depending on the size of your home remodel project. This number is usually discussed with your contractor before you sign the contract, so you’ll have a good idea of the number of people coming and going. If you’ve never dealt with a home remodel before, you might be surprised by how many people are required to make changes to your home in the time period you want them to. Don’t be shocked when you see some new faces.
Setbacks Happen
Unfortunately, just like with life, unexpected setbacks happen during the home remodeling process. The contractor finds a water pipe they weren’t expecting to be there, or the rare wood you want for your floors is delayed. Some things just can’t be anticipated. Your contractor has most likely experienced similar situations before and will talk you through options on how to deal with them. They are just as unhappy with the delay as you are, so try to work through the problem with them instead of blaming them for things out of their control.
You’ll Need to Make Decisions
When you first hire the contractor, they’ll work with you to establish what you want for your home remodel and ask any clarifying questions they need to get started. This serves as a great starting point for the remodel, but your choices (usually) aren’t over after that discussion. As things change and problems come up, you’ll need to approve modifications or changes that the contractor didn’t foresee. Keep an open line of communication with the contractor, so you can avoid holding up the work while they wait for you to make a decision. The last thing you want is to extend an already long process.
