Your Pre-Construction Checklist: A To-Do List to Help You Prepare for Your Remodel

You’re about to embark on a home remodeling project. How do you feel? Excited? Eager? Overwhelmed? Indecisive? Stressed? All of the above? It can certainly be an emotional roller coaster!

As ACo Design & Sales consultant Mia Farrell says, “There are so many ups and downs. You can be as excited as you are about your new kitchen, your new bathroom, your new flooring… but we have to get you from Point A to Point B. We don’t have a magic wand; it’s going to get messy!” Your kitchen may be out of commission, or you may not be bathing in your master bath anytime soon. Even as you eagerly anticipate your results, it can be challenging to go through the process. That’s why we’re here: we want you to love where you live – even if you have to make some adjustments to how you live for a little while.

Your Pre-Construction Checklist

While we take every step possible to deliver a smooth, streamlined, positive experience, there is going to be a crew in your home. There is going to be some disruption in terms of your space. There are going to be some minor inconveniences – but they are all temporary. With that in mind, we’ve created a pre-construction checklist to help you prepare for your remodel. About two weeks before construction starts:

• Be realistic about the renovation process and timelines. Your project isn’t going to be finished in a week or two. Unfortunately, life isn’t HGTV! With more extensive lead times and unexpected delays, it is important to go into your remodeling project with the right mindset. When you know what to expect, and prepare for it, the process is much less stressful.
• Expect the unexpected. All homes hold secrets behind the walls, under the floors, and in the furthest reaches from basement to attic. A renovation can uncover these hidden surprises, and this can cause delays. We strive to minimize these, but sometimes, there’s no way to know the full extent of what’sgoing on until we get in there.Again, when you know that there may be some delays due to these issues, you feel like it’s a manageable part of the project instead of a complete derailment. And rest assured: we can, and will, manage it! ACo offers a $1000 Change Order Guarantee to cover potentially hidden change orders.

• Ask all the questions. Worried about paint fumes or construction dust, for example? We’re happy to discuss the products we are using, the safety measures we are taking, and ways we can keep the space well-ventilated. No matter what’s weighing on your mind, we’re here to take the burden off your shoulders so you can enjoy the process and look forward to your results.
• Learn more about the construction process. Throughout the design and planning phases, you’ve learned a lot about the ins and outs of your project. If you have questions about why something is done a certain way or why it takes a certain amount of time, don’t hesitate to talk to your project manager. They can tell you about the process and help you better understand what it takes to complete quality work.
• Clear the clutter. Now is the perfect time to purge. Life isn’t HGTV – but maybe it can be a little Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. You will need to remove items from your space, so they are not damaged or do not impede work. Take the opportunity to determine what needs to go back once your new kitchen or bathroom is installed and what you can happily let go of.
• Don’t forget the garage. While you’re at it, do a little decluttering in the garage. This is an invaluable space to store supplies and materials safely and out of the elements.You may also want to consider setting up a temporary garage code as an alternative to a lockbox to allow remodeling professionals access.

• Remove personal belongings. After you decide what gives you joy, remove those items, and store them safely. This particularly applies to items with sentimental value, artwork, and framed photographs. While we pride ourselves on respecting your home and treating it like our own, these objects can be damaged during a remodeling project.
• Think About Some Strategic Temporary Relocations. For example:
  • If you are remodeling your kitchen, create a temporary space somewhere in the house that will allow you to retain at least partial functionality. Anoutdoor space, like a patio, is a good option in fair weather; al fresco dining = tres chic! And if it comes to it, stock up on some paper plates and plastic utensils if you do not have an alternative sink.
  • Think about moving to a different bedroom with its own bathroom (or one that has a bathroom nearby). Traipsing through construction to get to your closet everyday can get old.
• Think about parking/entry access for workers. How do you want this to work? Can the crew use your driveway? Is there available and plentiful street parking? Do you need to ensure that your garage door or your vehicle is never blocked in? Can your team enter through the garage? Front door? Will you be home? If not, can you use your smart lock to create a temporary code or use a lockbox? We can tell you what we’ve seen done successfully on projects, and we will accommodate your wants and needs.
• Go away! What happened to my walls? Didn’t I used to have walls? Oh, no, I don’t even have a refrigerator or stove, and my bathtub is sitting in the garage. Homeowners can feel stressed during a remodeling project because they see disarray. We don’t see it as chaos because it’s all part of the process. Still, for homeowners who compare their vision with their current reality, it can be tough! So, get away for a bit. Plan fun events or a weekend away. Give yourself a break from the construction. You’ll have something to look forward to – and you’ll be able to see some great progress when you come back.

If you focus on the downs more than the ups, a home remodeling project quickly becomes overwhelming. Keep your pre-construction checklist handy, and just keep ticking items off. Step by step, we’ll get it done.

ACo is committed to not only delivering exceptional results, but also the insights, guidance, and support you need during every step of your project. You’re not doing this alone; we want you to love where you live – and enjoy the process of getting there. To check a few items off your list, contact ACo for a free in-home design consultation.

Don’t forget to download our free, helpful guide, The ACo Way: A Complete Guide to Kitchens, Bathrooms & Flooring, for more information on the remodeling process, what to expect, plenty of inspiration and ideas, and tips for care and maintenance.