How to Prepare for Your Renovation with Black Forest Design & Build
Renovations are incredibly exciting! You’re getting a brand-new space tailored to your taste and needs. However, renovations can also be massively disruptive, especially significant undertakings like kitchen remodels where you'll have to temporarily adjust to life without everyday essentials like your fridge, dishwasher, or stovetop. These changes affect your daily routines and rituals, potentially challenging your usual way of life.
The best strategy for handling renovation disruptions is to thoroughly prepare ahead of time. In this guide, we provide essential tips to help you get ready for the transformation. Additionally, we highlight how Black Forest Design & Build supports our homeowners in making this transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Before the Renovation Begins
Step 1: Review materials
Before starting any physical work, it’s crucial to thoroughly review all materials provided by your design and build team. These documents are packed with specific instructions tailored to your renovation project, ensuring everything is clear from the outset.
Included in these materials is the contact information for your team leader. This individual will be your primary point of contact for any questions you might have throughout the project. Employed by Black Forest and possessing a robust understanding of your project, the team leader will be on-site daily, helping to make the process as seamless as possible. Whether your inquiries are related to design or construction, your team leader will facilitate all communication, directing questions to the appropriate team members to streamline the process.
Additionally, it's important to carefully review your payment schedule. Many payment milestones may involve significant sums; therefore, being prepared is essential. We provide a clear outline of all payment due dates and amounts, and we issue invoices accordingly to simplify payment procedures. While we typically prefer checks, we can accommodate bank transfers if that method is easier for you. Please discuss your preferred payment methods with our sales team to ensure everything is set up to your convenience.
Step 2: Familiarize yourself with timeframes
At Black Forest, we believe that good design is the result of careful planning and foresight. The plans laid out by your design team months in advance will significantly impact the later stages of the project and its overall flow.
We strongly encourage all our clients to get acquainted with key project deadlines, such as cutoff dates for material selections. This not only ensures that we have a buffer to accommodate any unforeseen delays but also maintains the efficiency of the entire project. Prompt decision-making is crucial; a delay in making one decision can cause a domino effect that impacts subsequent stages.
Our role is to guide you through every step of the material selection process. As a comprehensive design-build team, we handle all purchases and accompany you to select materials, like tile, appliances, and countertops. It is important to lean into our Design and Build expertise when making selections, as not all products are created equal. The nuances of each product can create headaches down the road when they are selected with only price or only aesthetic in mind. When you allow us to guide you towards dependable products we will make sure they integrate well with all of the other selections. This hands-on assistance aims to minimize your stress and eliminate any confusion. By making informed decisions at the right times, you contribute to a smoother project flow and a more aesthetically pleasing outcome.
Step 3: Organize
As your renovation begins to take shape, you’ll need to organize your space to accommodate the upcoming changes. This step involves making decisions about what to keep and what to discard. Take some time to assess your belongings and determine which items no longer serve your needs or fit the new vision for your space. Whether it's a beloved light fixture, a functional appliance, or an heirloom like Grandma’s hutch, think carefully about each item.
For clients renovating a kitchen, consider whether you would like to keep your current appliances or if it’s time for an upgrade. If you decide that some items are to be replaced, think about whether you would prefer to sell them or donate them to charity. Making these decisions early on will help streamline the entire process, allowing you to focus on the exciting aspects of your renovation project.
If your design and build team is not already aware, inform them about these decisions. This is especially important as the project moves towards the demolition phase; knowing what needs to be preserved and what can be removed helps prevent any last-minute confusion and ensures that the demolition and construction proceed smoothly.
Step 4: Step up your temporary workspaces
Renovating a kitchen requires a well-thought-out plan for how you’ll handle everyday tasks such as cooking and washing dishes during the construction period. If you have access to alternative spaces like a basement or a bar with water access, consider setting up a temporary kitchen in one of these locations. This setup might include a mini-fridge, a portable microwave, and a hotplate, which can all help maintain some normalcy in your daily routine.
For those who prefer a streamlined approach, Black Forest Design & Build offers services to establish a basic temporary kitchen. We focus on creating a functional space that is clean and tucked away from the construction area, ensuring that your temporary setup interferes as little as possible with your daily life while providing the essentials needed to make meals and snacks. Also, consider other meal preparation options, such as using an outdoor grill or opting for takeout meals.
If the renovation is extensive, you might even consider taking a vacation or staying in a short-term rental like an Airbnb. The first 4 weeks of an interior remodel are mostly centered on demolition, mechanical and electrical changes behind the walls and drywall. This can be some of the noisiest and most disruptive time in the schedule. If you work from home it may be a good idea to relocate to the office or Airbnb. Many clients decide that time away in the beginning of the project may help them fast-forward emotionally through the boring part of the project to the part where the new space begins to shape up. With our front end planning and forethought, being absent for part ,or all, of the remodeling process is a great way to maintain normalcy and peace of mind while we create your new space.
Remember for those working at home, we can plan ahead and not need to bother you with questions during the work day, however depending on your home’s layout and the extent of the remodel, we cannot avoid noise disruption. If you know it is difficult for you to focus on work with noise or even just the excitement of changes to your home throughout the day, consider adapting your work area or habits to avoid disruptions.
Step 5: Clear everything out of the way
Before the demolition starts, it's essential to completely clear the area. Ensure that all personal items, including pantry items, plates, and silverware, are removed from the workspace. Using plastic bins can be an effective way to store these items temporarily—just drop everything in there to keep them safe and out of the way. Also, make sure to secure any fragile or delicate items to prevent any accidental damage during the construction process.
Although Black Forest Design & Build does not offer full moving services, we can assist with relocating large pieces of furniture. Our team has a dedicated trailer to safely transport your furniture and store it during the renovation, minimizing the risk of damage. Once the project is completed, we will move everything back into place for you.
Additionally, consider the impact of construction on adjacent rooms. Even with our precautions like taping off areas and setting up plastic barriers, dust and debris can still spread to nearby spaces. It's advisable to cover any window treatments and protect other vulnerable areas within your home to keep them clean throughout the renovation process. This foresight can help maintain a cleaner and more organized home environment, making the post-renovation cleanup much easier.
During the Renovation
Step 6: Designate storage space
Effective management of space is crucial during a design and build project, particularly for storing materials. To help keep your renovation organized and efficient, we recommend designating a specific area for storage for your contractor’s needs. Providing a clear storage space not only aids in maintaining order but also helps protect your property and the project materials from damage.
At Black Forest Design & Build, we usually request the use of one garage bay where all necessary materials can be safely stored and easily accessed. This setup allows us to keep everything well-organized and ensures that materials are handy when needed, which can significantly speed up the workflow and minimize any potential disruptions to the renovation process.
Step 7: Determine parking
Parking logistics are an important consideration during any renovation project. We typically require space in your driveway to park a dumpster for easy disposal of construction materials. Additionally, our work vans will need to be parked nearby to allow our team quick access to tools and supplies.
We advise all our clients to plan for alternate parking arrangements for their personal vehicles. This might mean parking on the street or finding another nearby location where you can leave your car safely for the duration of the project. It's crucial to think about how these changes may affect your daily routines, particularly in the morning when you may need to leave for work or other activities.
Step 8: Find a safe space for Rover
Construction zones can be dangerous places for animals, with frequent door openings and closings and a lot of unfamiliar noise and activity that could cause stress or harm. For these reasons, it’s vital to keep pets out of the work zone at all times. Consider your pet's temperament and needs; if you know they might be frightened by the disruption or behave unpredictably, arranging for them to stay somewhere else during the busiest hours could be a wise decision. Options might include day boarding at a pet care facility or having them stay with a friend or family member who can look after them.
Ready to Start Your Renovation Journey?
Preparing for a renovation is undoubtedly hard work. It involves careful planning, decision-making, and adjustments to your daily life. However, the payoff is immensely rewarding. A well-executed renovation not only enhances your living space but also increases the value and comfort of your home.
When you choose Black Forest Design & Build for your renovation project, you're opting for excellence. Our experienced team—from the core designers and builders to the skilled tradespeople we painstakingly vet and collaborate with—are dedicated to delivering the highest quality work. Specializing in residential remodels, we understand the nuances of working in occupied homes and strive to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.
If you’re thinking about transforming your home, now is the perfect time to take the first step. Contact Black Forest Design & Build today to discuss your project. We're here to guide you every step of the way—from the initial planning stages to the final touches. Let's build something beautiful together!
Photography by Rebecca McAlpin
Black Forest Design & Build is here to make your Lancaster PA home remodeling dreams a reality. With expertise and dedication, we ensure your space is both beautiful and functional. Contact us today to begin your journey to the space you’ve always envisioned!