We are currently in the midst of remodeling the kitchen and our home is a disaster area! I should have found a Home Renovation Checklist before we started the remodel. “Why did I even want to remodel?”, “How are we going to get this mess cleaned up?”, “There’s dust EVERYWHERE!”, “The next time we buy a house the kitchen and bathrooms will be EXACTLY what I want BEFORE we move in!” are just a few of the thoughts swirling in my head. There is so much I wish I had known before we began this kitchen renovation nightmare:
Home Renovation Checklist - Before
1. Buy Samples of Paint, Tile, Flooring and Counter-tops
Do you know which paint is best for walls verses cabinetry? Do you want shiny or muted finishes? Have you seen how all of your individual choices look together in your home lighting? Will your backsplash or countertop be the focal point of your room? You should view all of the design choices under the lighting of your home even if you have hired an interior designer. Read more…
2. Box-up Everything – Then Cover the Boxes
At least two weeks before your home remodeling begins place all dishes, knick-knacks, wall hangings etcetera, into boxes and seal them tightly with packing tape. Do this in all rooms of your home, even those not being renovated. Label each box with room and contents, then place them out of the way with the labels facing you and cover the groups of boxes with painters plastic. (You will thank me later!) ONLY the necessities should be left out of boxes, however, place them into covered see-through storage bins the day before renovations begin.
3. Buy or Build an Air Cleaning Fan
To assure that construction dust clean-up is minimal, an air cleaning fan (or two) is essential. Use the fan(s) during the entire remodel project, from start to finish. Stock up on replacement filters and change the fans and all air return vents daily. DIY Air Cleaning Fan
4. Supervise the Remodeling Crew
Even some of the very best of remodeling experts will cut corners to save time. From the very first day of your home remodel the crew will need to be supervised in order to prevent mishaps.
a. Be certain that your furniture is carefully moved and properly covered. Insist on thick sheets of plastic to cover all pieces, not the flimsy plastic which is easily torn. Furniture must be covered entirely and the plastic taped to the floor with Painters Tape.
b. Painted surfaces must be sanded, cleaned and primed before painting. Paint will absolutely buckle and peel just months after applied to surfaces that have not been properly prepped. Read more…
c. Air vents should be removed and cleaned then stored until ready to be replaced. The interior spaces must be vacuumed out then covered with heavy duty plastic and taped securely.
d. Before the crew considers the job done you’ll need to perform a walk-through and have them:
Touch up any damaged walls and baseboards with spackle and paint.
Remove any paint and debris from hinges, doorknobs, cabinet pulls, window glass etc.
Remove and dispose of all trash
Remove and dispose of protective plastic film and tape
Return furniture to proper positions, but leave enough room to clean baseboards.
Home Renovation Checklist - After
1. Dust, Dust and More Dust
Remove dust from every nook and cranny of your home (believe me, it is everywhere!)
Walls and wainscoting
Baseboards and crown moldings
Door and window facings and frames
Window treatments
Upholstered and/or Leather Furniture
Ceiling fans
Light switch plates and power outlets
Light fixtures and bulbs
Lamp shades that you hadn’t packed before the renovation
Electronics and wires (hopefully, you had packed these)
Small appliances that may have been left out to use during renovation
Exterior of large appliances
Floors and corners
2. Clean Air Vents & Replace Filters
No matter how extensive your home renovation project is, dust will work its’ way into your vents. If the vents weren’t removed before the work began you’ll need to do so now. Remove the vent covers from walls and ceilings, clean each one with soap and warm water, and dry them thoroughly. Replace air filters before replacing the vent covers.
3. Clean Air Ducts
If your air filters weren’t changed daily, and your vents were not covered with plastic during the renovation, you should find a reputable service to clean the ducts. Be aware that if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures the process can cause problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.
After the weeks of home renovation you may not feel like dealing with the post renovation cleaning. I totally understand! If you're in or near the Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem, NC area call us at 336-869-0078 for a free post-renovation cleaning service estimate.
Living through a home renovation is messy, and the reno often lasts much longer than you anticipated. Be certain to take time to relax in an uncluttered area as often as possible.