How to Prepare Your Home for a Renovation

5 Feb

Embarking on a home renovation can be rewarding, but the process often comes with it’s fair share of disruption. Proper preparation can make the experience much smoother and help minimise stress.

Here are some key steps to take when getting your home ready for a renovation if you’re planning to stay in the home during construction:

Hamptons Pantry Design — JDA Lammin Home Renovation

Clear the Area

Before the renovation begins, clear out the spaces that will be affected. Remove furniture, personal items, and any valuable or fragile objects to avoid damage. Consider renting a storage unit if you have a lot of items or if the renovation affects multiple rooms.

2. Set up Temporary living Arrangements

Depending on the scope of the renovation, you might need to set up temporary living arrangements. For a kitchen remodel, create a mini kitchen with essentials like a microwave, coffee maker, and fridge in another part of the house. If bathrooms are being renovated, coordinate schedules or find alternatives if you have multiple family members. If you are undertaking a major renovation we recommend finding alternative accommodation for the entire duration but this needs to be factored in to your overall costs and may stretch the budget too far.

3. Protect your Home

Renovations can get messy, so take steps to protect your home from dust and debris. Use plastic sheeting to cover doorways and seal off work areas. Protect floors with drop cloths or plastic sheets, and consider taping off vents to prevent dust from spreading throughout your home. Plaster dust seems to have the ability to get past even the tightest of barriers so be prepared for a big clean up at the end.

4. Plan for Pets and Children

If you have pets or small children, plan ahead to keep them safe and away from construction zones. Consider boarding pets, arranging playdates, or setting up a safe, quiet space away from the noise and hazards of the renovation. Building sites are unsafe places and there should be complete separation from the work zone and the living zone.

5. Communicate with your Builder

Clear communication with your builder is essential. Discuss work schedules, access to your home, and any specific concerns you have. Set up a plan for regular updates and address any issues as they arise. Knowing what to expect each day can help you stay organized and reduce surprises and allows you to plan ahead for very disruptive work.

6. Plan for Noise and Dust

Renovations are noisy and dusty, which can disrupt your daily life. Consider investing in earplugs or noise-canceling headphones if you are trying to work from home and be prepared for some level of dust, even with precautions in place. If you're sensitive to dust or have allergies, take extra measures to ensure clean air in other parts of the house.

7. Organise your Essentials

Keep your daily essentials easily accessible. Pack a box or bag with items you use regularly, such as toiletries, chargers, medications, and important documents. This will save you time and frustration when you need to quickly find something during the renovation.

8. Expect the Unexpected

Even with the best planning, renovations can bring surprises. From hidden structural issues to supply delays, it's important to remain flexible and maintain a sense of humour. Budget extra time and money for unexpected challenges and remember that the temporary inconvenience will ultimately lead to the home of your dreams.

9. Stay Positive and Patient

Renovations can be stressful but staying positive and patient can make the process more bearable. Keep the end goal in mind and celebrate small milestones along the way. Your new space is worth the effort and the temporary disruption.

10. Enjoy the Process

While renovations can be daunting, they are also an opportunity to improve your home and create a space that truly reflects your style and needs. Take time to enjoy the process, learn about your home, and watch your vision come to life.

By following these steps, you can better prepare your home—and yourself—for the renovation journey. Proper preparation not only protects your belongings and loved ones but also helps you maintain some level of normalcy during the construction phase.

Choosing JDA Lammin Architects

At JDA Lammin Architects, we are committed to making your home building or renovation project a positive and rewarding experience. Our collaborative approach, combined with our network of trusted builders, ensures that you have the right team in place from the very start. Let us help set you up for success and bring your dream home to life.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can turn your vision into reality.

Harriet Lammin

Harriet Lammin is the business owner and Principal architect at JDA Lammin Architects. She has been an architect for 30 years practising both in Australia and the UK, working on residential and commercial projects of all sizes.

After completing her studies in the UK and working for several years in the London, she emigrated to Australia in 1997 and began her career in Melbourne working for large practices such as DCM and Bates Smart. In 2001, she transitioned to small practice at JDA Architects and became the business owner and Director in 2018.

Harriet specialises in small to medium sized residential architecture and brings a rich variety of experience to her projects at JDA Lammin. She forms meaningful relationships with her clients and the project team, which she believes results in the best outcome. Harriet takes great pleasure in seeing a building come to life, however big or small.

https://www.jdaarchitects.com.au/