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Living With Your Remodeling Project
Remodeling your home is a
uniquely different from building a new home. With remodeling, your home
becomes the worksite. You live side-by-side with the project from start
to finish. Once construction begins, you'll probably long for simple
pleasures like a dust-free home or a fully functioning kitchen or bath.
but the end result will be well worth these inconveniences.
Communication
Consistent and open communication
between you and your remodeler will enhance your understanding of the
project, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, and ultimately help
to make the experience a positive one for everyone involved. To
facilitate this process, you need to:
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Determine who you and your remodeler should contact
for daily decisions or an after-hours emergency, For example, your
contact may be the lead carpenter for the job, while the remodeler's
contact could be your spouse.
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Designate a backup for each contact person to assure
continuity in anyone's absence.
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Create a place in your house where the contact
persons can leave messages for each other (a securely anchored
notebook is a good idea since it is less likely to disappear).
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Speak up. If you are uncertain about any aspect of
the project, be sure to let the contact person know.
The Pre-Construction Meeting
One way to ensure the success of
your project is to plan for and actively participate in a
pre-construction meeting. This allows your remodeler to clarify
procedures and explain how the job will progress. It also offers both
you and your remodeler an opportunity to prepare for those issues that
may arise later. You should think of this meeting as forum for all
participants to define their expectations and agree on the anticipated
outcome.
Some of the issues you wish to
cover at this meeting includes:
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Will you allow your remodeler to place a company
sign on the property? Remember that, in addition to being a
marketing tool, signs help contractors and suppliers locate your
home.
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What areas of your home will be off limits to
workers?
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Does your house have an alarm system? Will workers
need a key or will someone always be there?
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How will you ensure that your children and pets stay
out of the work space?
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How will trash removal be handled? Where will the
remodeler locate the dumpster on your property?
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Does the remodeler anticipate any interruptions of
utilities during the project? If so, when and for how long? At
certain stages of construction, the project may affect basic
household necessities like water and electricity. Will you need to
vacate the house at any time?
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What are your expectations regarding cleanup? Will
sweeping be sufficient for a daily cleaning, or will you need a more
thorough cleaning in order to use the space?
You should also use
the pre-construction meeting to establish guidelines for the remodeling
crew working on the project:
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What times will workers begin and end work at your
home? Be sure to consider the neighbors as well as household
members.
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Where can workers park near the jobsite?
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Will you allow workers to use your phone for local
business calls?
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Will bathroom facilities in your home be available
to workers?
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What is remodelers policy on smoking on the jobsite?
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What is the remodelers policy on the use of
profanity? If you are especially sensitive to this issue, you
should let your remodeler know.
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Will you allow workers to play their radios at a
reasonable volume? Are there any stations or programs that you do
not want played?
Preventing Remodeling Fever
The Train-station atmosphere of a
remodeling project can lead to remodeling fever. The main symptom of
this temporary affliction is feeling a loss of control that results from
disrupted routines and the impact on your personal space. The best way
to prevent this fever is to prepare well, remember that "this too
shall pass", and focus on the progress being made. A few other
suggestions from remodeling pros:
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Prepare for inconvenience. A remodeling project can
turn your home and -- on some days -- your life upside down. A
kitchen remodel will, of course, affect meal planning. But a little
ingenuity and some culinary shortcuts can lessen the impact. Set up
a temporary cooking quarters by moving the refrigerator, toaster
oven, and microwave to another room Arrange a dishwashing station in
your laundry room. If the weather is warm, fire up the grill and
dine alfresco.
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Designate a safe haven in your home where you can
escape from the chaos and commotion.
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Guard against dust. During a remodeling project,
dust has the unfortunate tendency to appear everywhere from
lampshades to plates stacked inside your kitchen cabinets. To keep
out as much dust as possible : 1) Seal off doorways and stairs: 2)
Turn off central air or heat when workers are sanding and stock up
on extra filters so that you can change them often; 3) Have
deliveries made though a designated entrance; 4) Use doormats and
temporary floor coverings where appropriate; 5) Remove anything that
might get damaged by the dust or at least cover it with plastic drop
cloths that are taped shut.
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Maintain a sense of humor, Remember that certain
things are out of your control and it's best to laugh rather than
upset yourself about things like the weather or delayed delivery of
materials.
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See the remodeling process as an adventure. Tell the
kids that your are "camping in" and transform
inconvenience into fun. Along the way, celebrate as different stages
of the project are completed.
For more
information on choosing a professional remodeler visit NAHB
for more info.
Home Builders Association of the Alleghenies
c/o Leventry Law Office
1397 Eisenhower Boulevard
Richland Square III, Suite 202
Johnstown, PA 15904
814-269-9268
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