WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE REMODELING PROCESS 1. Living in a construction zone - means living with inconveniences during construction. You will probably have workers coming in and out of your home, dust settling throughout the house from construction, and you may not be able to use certain rooms. The homeowner who is prepared for such inconveniences won't find them quite as inconvenient as the homeowner who plans to continue living as if nothing is taking place in their home. 2. DUST - This is one of the most frustrating facts that homeowners are confronted with. They open cabinet doors that are located many rooms away from the work site only to find a nice film of dust on all of their dishes. Dust permeates everything. We try our best to minimize the amount of dust but be aware that you will still have to deal with dust. 3. Be Prepared for anything – We try to our best to think of everything prior to demolition but we can not foresee everything. Projects may run behind due to building inspectors, material/labor shortages, bad weather…etc. If there is some delay beyond our control, always expect a phone call or email. 4. Valuables - Move things that are really valuable out of the house. Ask a neighbor, friend or family member to keep them for you while the construction is going on. Take down the pictures that are hanging on the opposite side of the wall of the room being worked on. One swing of a hammer to the structure can send all of the pictures, and the glass and frames that hold them, crashing off the wall. Take them down, wrap them up in a blanket and tuck them under a bed for the duration of the project. . A lead carpenter is always on the job to supervise other trades and make sure that everything is completed according to our specifications and your needs. 5. Noise - If you like to sleep until 8 A.M. and your contractor's workers start their day at 8 A.M., make sure you throw on a bathrobe before you get that first cup of coffee, because someone will be working in your home and it will be loud. 6. Distractions – Animals and Children can be distractions during the remodeling process, for their safety as well as the workers safety please make sure they are kept away from the construction site. 7. Clean up - Each day the workers will clean up their tools and materials however a thorough cleaning will not be completed until the job is complete. Cleaning will only take place in the newly remodeled area. Obviously, each of these things is frustrating and can really get you down in the midst of a building project. Simply being aware, however, can make it much easier to cope. Remodeling a house that you are living in is a challenge, but it can be done. Never lose sight of what you will have once it's complete.