Surviving a Kitchen Remodel: Part 4

            Of all the things we have discussed about what to expect and prepare for when remodeling your kitchen, how to keep things clean is probably the biggest issue. It is amazing the amount of dust and dirt that can collect during a remodel project. You can’t keep everything spotless, but you can prepare and avoid the worst. Here are a few tips:

 

• Protect what you can’t move. Hang plastic in doorways and seal tightly with tape. Protect your floors by putting down thick rosin or kraft paper. You may even want to consider throwing plastic or blankets over tables and bookcases in adjacent rooms to protect them from the fine dust that may escape from the work zone.
• Turn off the heat or air while dusty work is being done. Example: sheetrock work, sanding wood floors, cutting trim…
• Ask that the work zone be swept at the end of each day to minimize the mess and stress.
• It is helpful to prepare a storage area in the garage or adjacent room for holding appliances, cabinets, tile and other items until it is time to install them.
• Rent an open top dumpster to be placed near the construction site. This will provide a handy place for the construction crew to dispose of their trash. If there is extra room in it when the project is complete, it is also a great way to get rid of items you’ve been meaning to without having to haul them to the landfill.
• Ask that all lumber and materials be placed on paved surfaces such as a patio, driveway or carport instead of your yard to prevent killing or tearing up the grass and landscaping.
• If avoiding the grass is not an option, consider laying down temporary plywood sidewalks. They distribute the weight and will prevent ruts in your grass.

            Over the next couple of weeks, we will explore other aspects of a kitchen remodel and what you can do to keep it from being a stressful situation. If you have a question that you would like answered, email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Surviving a Kitchen Remodel: Part 3

            Last week we discussed how to set up a temporary kitchen while remodeling. This week we will focus on how to practically pack up your kitchen and be prepared to live without it for a couple of weeks. It’s the great balance of what you can and can’t live without. Here are a few tips:

 

• Gather as many clean, sturdy boxes as you may need. Plastic Rubbermaid containers work well for your more fragile items. Always get more than you think you will need. Newspaper and bubble wrap are a must.
• Have a good sharpie handy to be able to clearly mark each box.
• Place items you think you may need near the top of the box, in case you need to access it.
• Begin packing sooner than you think you need to. It invariably takes longer than expected and you will have to set up your temporary kitchen.
• Place packed boxes in an air conditioned space like a spare bedroom, basement or bonus room. Resist the urge to keep it all in your living space. You will survive the remodel process better if your main living space is clutter free.
• Remember to remove fragile items hanging on or near the walls opposite your remodeled space. Construction banging and vibrations could damage these items.

 
            Over the next couple of weeks, we will explore other aspects of a kitchen remodel and what you can do to keep it from being a stressful situation.