Renovation has become a hallmark of the current property scene as owners maximise potential value before selling, and new buyers seek to improve their new homes. We bring you some strategies to help you and your family through the renovation process:
Don’t work from home
If the noise doesn’t get you, the frequent tea breaks of your builders might. There’s a horrible temptation to watch everything they do, and that’s no good for you or them. Best you’re not on site when the work’s going on.
Declutter and dust
No matter how hard builders try to minimise their impact, there’s no escaping the dirt and dust. Putting non-essential furniture, clothes, rugs and other belongings into storage minimises your cleaning.
Cover sheets
Before you go to work each day, throw cover sheets over your furniture, TV and the kitchen benchtop. This will reduce the need to vacuum or wipe away the daily grime.
Pure genius
If you’re finding the dust in the air hard going, consider buying an air purifier to turn on when you get home from work.
Kitchen capers
Your appetite for cooking on a building site will quickly disappear, especially if the kitchen is constantly in a cloud of dust. Be prepared to order a lot of takeaways and for visits to local cafes and restaurants.
Pet protection
Pets may be forgotten in the scramble to begin a renovation. They often find the noise and general disturbance to their routine disorientating. At a minimum, consistently check that they’re coping, and be prepared to find someone to look after them.
Find refuge
There may be moments when you need to get out of the house, or the water has been turned off and you need to shower. So, ask family or friends if they can help you when it all becomes a bit much.