On HGTV, you see full kitchen remodels completed in a weekend — but that’s not reality. Most kitchen remodeling jobs take 6-8 weeks and some even longer. No surprises! We give start and completion dates in writing before any work begins, so our customers know what to expect and can plan accordingly. And if it’s Winter, weather can play a part in delays.
With that in mind, there are a few things homeowners can do and should consider beforehand to make the remodeling process easier to manage:
Scheduling Your Remodeling Project
Timing is important. Do you have kids in your home? If so, you might opt to begin construction in the fall when they are back in school. Do you want construction going on during the holidays? Be sure to consider family events and celebrations before you commit to your project.
Living Without a Kitchen
When we work in your kitchen, the CCS team moves the fridge into another room and arranges a microwave and coffee pot so customers can still “function” during the remodel. Consider that a kitchen remodel in the summer allows you to use your outdoor grill for cooking too. Its a good idea to prep and freeze meals ahead of time — it’s convenient and saves you money (Ouch! Takeout every night can be pricey).
Think About Pets
Planning in advance helps keep your pets safe during remodeling. With doors opening and closing, it’s easy for pets to escape, and tools in the house can be a hazard for curious pets. The best bet is to put pets in a crate, take them to doggie daycare or have them cared for by a friend while work is being done in your home.
Protect Furniture and Clear a Path
Before we begin demo work, our crew protects the home by sheeting off areas, and we do the best we can to minimize and contain dirt and dust during construction. Customers can also help by covering furniture with sheets, removing pictures from the walls, making a clear path to hallways that lead to bathrooms or basements, clearing out cabinets, etc.
Consider Your Daily Routine
While we try our best to make this as painless as possible, it is a disruption. Do you work from home? Do you work non-traditional hours? Do you have young children with nap schedules? Home remodeling work can be loud with crews in the home weekdays from 8 to 5, so it’s best to take that into consideration as you schedule your project.
The best advice, though, is to focus on the end goal and your completion date. Looking forward to the beautiful finished product makes the small inconveniences of home remodeling much easier to manage.
By Beth VanWranken
