2 Ways to Prepare for an Extended Home Renovation

Many homeowners don’t realize how soon they’ll need to vacate the property once work begins on a remodeling project. I recommend preparing to leave for up to a week before demolition starts so you have enough time to get everything situated. Here are a couple of things to focus on:

Secure your valuables. Before leaving, remove or securely store jewelry, important documents and other valuable items. During construction, doors may be open or the property may be easier to access than usual. Even if you completely trust your contractor and their crew, keeping valuables in a safe or even at another location eliminates unnecessary risk.

Plan for an extended stay elsewhere. Don’t assume you’ll only need to leave home for a few weeks. Depending on the size and scope of the renovation, you may be out of the house for several months or, in the case of a new home construction project, up to a year. Knowing this upfront will allow you to make realistic arrangements instead of scrambling for temporary housing once construction is underway.