It's time; you need a home update; that 1970s harvest gold kitchen, wood paneling, root beer brown shag carpet, or teal green tile countertops; sure, it was fun for a while, but now it has got to go! Goodbye, 1970s-80's; hello 21st century!
Home is your fortress of solitude, your castle, and a remodel can take months or longer of strangers in your home and upheaval. We have tips for a smooth remodel to make the process easier and less stressful.
How to find a contractor
Ask friends, neighbors, web searches, and businesses like us, Renaissance Rug Cleaning. We have a top local home remodeler/ builder, Hammer, and Hand, next to us. We have worked for their client, and our clients have used them not just for years but for decades. Another is Don Tankersley & Co. These two companies are arguably the top remodelers in Portland, Oregon. Why the plug for these two companies? Because we have been in many of their client homes before, during, and after remodels by these two companies. We have seen the quality of their work and the satisfaction of their clients. There are of course, other very competent companies in Portland metro area doing home remodels.
Not sure where to go,...check with the state of Oregon contractor's board for valid licenses and the Oregon business registry (links below). Every business has a bad review or client interaction. Concentrate on how they address and resolve the problems, not simply that there was a problem.
https://sos.oregon.gov/business/pages/default.aspx
Where to start when renovating a home?
Keep in mind your remodeler likely has decades of experience, and many remodel under their belt, so don't forget to tap the expertise when strategizing your home remodel.
Remodeling in a time of Covid
Covid has caused supply issues, and remodelers can provide insight into supply issues. Waiting until the last minute to select door handles and light fixtures can cause unintended delays. In one remodel recently, due to back orders with the kitchen appliances, it was decided to hold off on starting the kitchen remodel and prioritize the bathroom. Giving time for the back-ordered appliances to arrive and reducing the kitchen downtime.
Every remodels has some bumps and issues to work around; expect a few more with supply chain issues.
Declutter and depersonalize your home for remodeling.
Our homes are extensions of us; artwork, collectibles, mementos, and furniture that's part of what makes a house a home but during a remodel its time to personalize some.
Keep all work areas clear of clutter and personal and decorative items, not just from the remodel area. Entrances and hallway workers have to travel to access the worksite. Some of the materials and equipment needed are big and bulky, so keeping areas open and clear reduces the chance of damage to your home and personal injury to workers.
Ideally, do this before the remodeling begins. Consider the bare necessities you need to endure a remodel and plan and adjust accordingly. Yes, it sucks but focuses on the end game; the more efficient your home is for workers, the more efficient workers are in your home.
Consider renting a POD storage unit to get things out of the way. These can be dropped off and left at your home during the remodel or picked up and taken to a secure, temperature-controlled storage facility for as long as you need.
However, Before ordering a POD, consult with your remodel project manager about the spot you have in mind that might be needed for equipment or supplies by your remodeler and could cause big delays to their workflow; remember you're in this together.
Rug cleaning goes hand and hand with home remodeling; get those rugs out of the way so that workers can play.
Remodeling is dusty, dirty work, so removing rugs keeps them safe from getting spills, such as paint, wood stains, adhesives, construction dust, and even physical damage.
Rug Cleaners like Renaissance Rug cleaning will pick up your rugs, clean them and hold them keeping them clean and safe until your remodel is done. A simple phone call, and we will deliver your rugs back clean, fresh, and ready for the new home.
A note of caution here, avoid stuffing your rugs in the garage or basement for many months of remodeling. This is a perfect environment for moth infestation, rodents, mold, and mildew to damage your fine rugs. Some remodel requires roof or plumbing work, and sometimes water leaks; it's best to get the rugs out!
At a minimum, vacuum and wrap your rugs in paper or old sheets; never use plastic for storing wool area rugs and keep them in an area away from the work site.
Perhaps you have valuable artwork on your walls call a company like Art Work Fine Art Services. They specialize in moving, installing, and storing paintings, sculptures, and other artwork until the time is right for their return. Again, this inst the kind of stuff you want in the middle of a remodel.
Home Remodel Can Be Stressful
All this activity and upheaval in your personal space, but does it have to be? Considering other experts in their fields, a moving company can move home furnishings and store them. Planning out the process and a few key steps above reduces stress and delays in remodeling work.
Pets During a Remodel
Some pets are very social and thrive during a remodel, and some dog breeds, in particular, love all the new people and the goings-on and attention. In some cases, after the remodel, pet can even miss their new worker friends, waiting by the door in the morning for the workers to arrive days and even weeks after the completion of a home remodel.
Who doesn't like a friendly pet, be careful to keep our furry friends safe. A remodel site can have many hazards, nails, broken glass, and metal shavings. Some pets instinctively keep clear of job sites, while others are oblivious and need help to stay safe. Consider your pet's freedom to move during a remodel and take steps to keep them safe from workplace dangers.
However, some of our fur babies are the opposite; strangers, noises, and change are very stressful, and the remodeling process is scary and distressing for them.
For these pets, consider a safe area or room for them. Put all the creature comforts in the room, such as food, water, and litter box, and consider a white noise machine or a small fan to help camouflage construction noises. Get your pet used to being in the room weeks before the remodel to reduce stress and fear to keep pets comfortable when the remodeling starts.
Don't forget playtime. Pets need companionship and exercise, and like humans, exercise helps reduce stress and improves sleep and overall temperament.
Call In The Cleaners!
As the dust settles, and make no mistake, remodeling creates dust and displaces dust in areas like attics. It's time to call the cleaners. It's best to start with a top-down approach, exterior prewashing, Widows, countertops, kitchen, bathrooms, one you probably haven't considered air duct cleaning.
The floor people in-home carpet cleaning and schedule the return of your rugs from the rug cleaners.
Why are the carpet & rug cleaners' last cleaning service? To make sure any solid tracked into your home on workers' feet is removed.
The last cleaners in your home typically should be rug cleaners rolling out those cleaned stored rugs.
Depending on your home, rug and carpet cleaners can work side by side at the same time.
If you have removed furniture from the home or remodeled area, we suggest cleaning the carpet before moving furniture back. Carpet cleaners typically give a discount for furniture-free rooms. Some items, such as pianos and aquariums, are not easily movable, giving you the opportunity for a full deep clean in areas not normally accessible.
Coordinate with the movers, be proactive and get creative. Sometimes, The rug cleaning service can't deliver your rugs at the best time. One solution is to have the rugs delivered to the movers and the movers to do the final delivery rollout of your rugs.
The last, workers should ones to install fine art on walls, such as pictures, paintings, sculptures, and tapestries; as we call them, the cherry on top of your remodel turns are model back into a home.
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