If your house will soon be invaded by contractors, take time to prepare for the onslaught. Readying your house and family for an upcoming renovation ensures safety and security while work is in progress. Coping with a contractor requires patience and understanding, but good advance planning reduces the upheaval.

First get a set of blueprints to mark up. Then meet with the contractor and ask him to explain the sequence of construction. For your family’s sanity, you may have to place restrictions on the contractor’s timing. After the meeting, you will know what areas of the house can be occupied at the different stages of construction. Also, the contractor gets a good idea of your family’s needs throughout the project.

Minimize the length of time you must do without certain spaces by phasing the work one room or area at a time, if possible. Designate a room for rotating family use, e.g. the den could become a bedroom one week and a temporary kitchen the next. Ask the contractor for 48 hours notice before starting the next phase so you can make the internal arrangements.

After meeting with the contractor, prepare your family for what is about to happen. Construction sites and equipment are always dangerous, so make sure the kids know they must stay clear. Install temporary doors or gates to keep toddlers and pets out of unfinished areas. Schedule material deliveries during school hours to eliminate the possibility of injury to curious neighborhood children.

To minimize disruption to your family life, give the contractor a room with a phone to use as a site office. If there are two washrooms, designate one for the contractor’s use. A layout table in the site office is handy for reviewing blueprints.

Where will the building materials be stored on site? This is a security concern, especially after you’ve paid for the materials. If space permits, store new materials in the basement, garage or shed to prevent pilfering. Similarly, locate the dumpster so it won’t attract scavengers after hours.

When windows are being replaced, the rough openings should be boarded up overnight with plywood. At quitting time, ensure the contractor doesn’t leave ladders lying up against windows to prevent illegal entry. Keep a list of the people who have keys to your house.

Prepare the site for the contractor ahead of time, don’t wait until he arrives with a full work crew. Remove furniture, breakables, antiques, heirloom crystal and chinaware out of affected rooms and cabinets. Mark the items you want salvaged. Keep valuables locked up or stored off site. Most contractors are trustworthy, but they may unknowingly hire someone who isn’t.

Get ready for dirt, dust, debris and noise. Cover furniture, appliances and finishes with polyethylene sheeting, even if it’s not in the renovated area. The repetitive vibration from power tools drives dust out from every nook and cranny, even in areas not under construction. Ask the contractor to broom clean daily and do a thorough clean up at week’s end.

With good planning, you’ll retain some semblance of sanity and avoid the expense of moving out during construction. Don’t forget to warn your neighbors about the upcoming noise, dirt and traffic jams. They can help with child safety and visual security when you’re not around. When the job is over, throw a housewarming party to get back on their good side!

TRASH OR TREASURE?

The contractor doesn’t know what’s trash or treasure unless you tell him. Even so, he’s human, and may forget to tell his laborers. To avoid the disappointment of losing something valuable, put a large note on the items you want to keep.

At the bidding stage, let the contractors know what items are to be turned over to the owner. Contractors realize the salvage value of some items and reduce their price accordingly. Likewise, tell them about any special items you want removed in good condition, as they must take greater pains during demolition.

In the contract, include a clause stating that the “owner has first right of refusal”. This means that demolished items cannot be removed from site without your approval. The drawings should also make the distinction between salvaged and demolished items because, to contractors, the word “remove” usually means “demolish”. Retained items should be stored in a separate place out of the contractor’s way.