4 Tips for Living in a Home During a Massive Remodel
Hi - The first thing I thought of when I read Joel's post title was "Don't" take on a massive remodel! He lays out a well thought out plan for those who may decide to live in the home during the remodel. I might also emphasive that a project like this should always take into consideration starting the job during the best weather conditions for your area. For Arizona, the time frame should not include our monsoon weather!
I recently purchased a home that almost had it all - great location, perfect price, wonderful layout, nice yard - the works. Unfortunately, the folks who lived here before didn't keep up the mainentance on the property very well, so a massive remodel was required. Besides being time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive, living in a home while it's being torn apart around you can be extremely stressful! Here are a few tips to minimize your stress if you find yourself in the same situation!
1. Prioritize the order in which you start each room. You know that you'll definitely need a working kitchen and bathroom, so put these spaces at the top of the to-do list. While it may be possible to get by with a camp stove and take out food, it's always great to cook that first meal in your brand new kitchen! And unless you plan on running to the gas station or the gym to use the facilities, let your contractors know that at least one full bathroom needs to be done as quickly as possible!
2. Keep as many of your personal items out of the way as possible. This is going to be helpful for both
you and your contractors. You don't want your valuable items damaged by sawdust or covered in paint, so keep those types of things boxed up and stored in an area as far as possible from where the work is being done. You'll be glad to unpack everything and find it in great condition, and the guys and gals working on the home will be grateful to have as much space as possible in which to do their best work.
3. Polish off rooms one at a time instead of trying to do a little of this and a little of that. Believe me, I know it's hard when it seems that everywhere you turn you see something else that needs to be done, but try to focus on one area at a time! It's much easier to stay organized and not lose track of the little things if you give all your attention to one designated space. Plus, you'll have a greater sense of accomplishment when each room gets completed, and that little boost can help prepare you to tackle the next big project.
4. Enjoy your outdoor space! Lucky for me, it's the perfect time of year to take a break from the chaos
and head outdoors. Set up a nice table and chairs so that you can still enjoy a pleasant meal with family or friends, even if it's just a take out pizza! Take a little time at the end of a long day of work to sit around the firepit and decompress. Then head inside and get a good night's sleep, so you can start over fresh in the morning.
While the remodeling process has been a major headache, I know that the end result will be more than worth it. Living conditions may not be ideal at the moment, but in a (hopefully very) short time, I'll be relaxing in my updated, spotless, gorgeous dream home!
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