home additions, kitchen remodeling

Contractors for room additions can help you realize your dream.

A kitchen remodel can be an exciting project, but you also want to make sure you’re fully prepared for what lies ahead. After all, when beginning a room addition in Westwood and the surrounding areas, it’s likely you will be displaced from your usual activities and your daily routine will be a bit disrupted. Here are some suggestions to help make sure you are set for the day construction begins.

Setting Your Expectations

No matter what the scope of your kitchen remodel, ongoing communication between you and your builder or contractor is critical to the overall success of your project. Contractors for room additions in Westwood, MA, suggest you have a thorough understanding of the following points before construction begins:

• Construction start and projected end date, the sequence of tasks and schedule of daily activities, as well as what time workmen will arrive and finish at the end of the day.

• How to prepare the work site and how to protect other rooms and household items. How will the construction area be cordoned off and the dust contained?

• How you should prepare for each phase of the project (will the power or water need to be turned off and for how long)?

• Who will be the project lead to answer your questions and how often can you expect project updates? Ask for contact and after hours/emergency numbers.

• Designate a folder to contain all the necessary documentation from the project, such as lien releases, marked-up plans, copies of inspection reports, operating manuals and information on how to care for new surfaces, materials and equipment.

A Little Pre-Planning

Armed with the above information, you can begin to reorder your daily activities and plan for the least amount of disruption to your life. How long will the project take? If your builder estimates one week, plan for two. Most contractors for room additions in Westwood and the surrounding area will tell you it is far better to have a backup plan in place than to be caught off guard.

How will your pets be affected? Move your pets, along with their food and water bowls, into a safe area of the house a couple of days before construction begins. If keeping your pets offsite would be best, you will need to schedule this time at a boarding facility, a friend or relative’s house.

Note any previously scheduled activities on your calendar and arrange for them to be relocated or rescheduled. It’s best not to plan your remodel before a holiday or other important events because you could be setting yourself up for stress and frustration. Keep in mind delayed arrival of materials and equipment happens frequently during remodels and may throw the entire schedule off.

Eating out, getting take-out or having meals delivered are all good options while your kitchen is out of order. You may also want to cook ahead and freeze items that can be heated up in a microwave.

Learn to pack for your kitchen remodel.

You’ll Need a Make-Shift Kitchen

Have you ever gone camping? Preparing for a southeastern MA kitchen remodel is a little like going on a camping trip as far as food preparation is concerned. If you have a spare bedroom or other available space in your house, turn it into a temporary kitchen with the following items:

• 4 x 8 foot folding table for your prep area
• Small microwave oven and other small appliances (coffee maker, toaster oven, etc.)
• Coolers for storing orange juice, milk and other drinks
• Containers to hold non-perishable food items (peanut butter, crackers, cereal)
• Disposable plates, cups and utensils
• Paper towels and dish rags for wiping hands

Packing

After setting up your temporary kitchen, you will want to remove everything else from the area. Pack up all items and label the boxes as you would before moving. Then store them away from the construction area.

With a little planning and preparation, your southeastern MA kitchen remodel can be a relatively painless process. Keep your eye on the prize and don’t sweat the small stuff!

If you’re still looking for the right builder for your kitchen remodel, contact us at Colony Home Improvement. We have more than 40 years of experience with room additions in Westwood and the surrounding areas.