House Renovation: How to Prevent Unexpected Damages

Home renovation can be both exciting and stressful. It’s exciting because after all the spending and the tough labor, you know you’re going to have a house that’s more beautiful and inviting.

However, it can be stressful too. Apart from the fact that the cost is high, accidents can happen and instead of making things better around your home, it could lead to unexpected, more costly damages.

Think about the scratches, burns and dents home renovation tools can make to your precious hardwood floor. Or the huge amount of dust and contaminants that went straight to your HVAC system.

How about a broken water pipe because it was accidentally hit during sheetrock removal on the ceiling?

See, there are plenty of potential risks associated with renovating a home.

But this shouldn’t stop you from pushing your dream home project. With the following steps, you can greatly reduce the chances of unexpected damages in your property during a renovation work.

1. Choose the best contractor to do the job

Whether it’s a bath or kitchen renovation, addition building, or total remodeling, the first thing you want to do is to make sure that you’re hiring the best people for the job. Qualified contractors who have years of experience know the protocols for each home project. They have the tools necessary to perform the job efficiently and without causing scratches or dents on your furniture, floors, counters or walls. Most of all, you can have peace of mind that these people absolutely know what they are doing! Plus, they have access to suppliers of high-quality construction materials.

Get at least three names before you hire a contractor. If you can’t ask referrals from family or friends, conduct a search online. Checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a great way to know if the contractor you prefer are duly accredited and have all the necessary licenses and qualifications.

2. Secure all furniture

Every piece of furniture in your home is most likely an expensive purchase. You don’t want to see your sofa, chairs and tables with splatters of paint, or your cabinet glass broken after some hammering or drilling on the wall. While it may seem like added work, moving and storing your furniture, knick-knacks, and other items is far cheaper than having to totally replace them once they get damaged during the renovation. What’s more, the job will be easier for the construction crew as they don’t have to work around everything, saving you money and time.

If you have enough space in the garage or basement, relocate all your moveable furniture items there. Those that are fixed can be secured by covering them with good quality tarps or thick blankets. If you lack space, consider renting a storage pod.

3. Cover the surfaces

You only want to expose the areas in your house that are affected by the renovation, not those you want to keep. Thus, just like your beloved furniture, you also want to cover and secure surfaces, such as walls and floors that the construction crew will not be working on. Imagine the potential damage they can cause on your floors. Whether they are renewing the paint on your walls, removing a wall, or building one, there is a lot of unwanted debris that will surely fall on the floor and could potentially ruin it. Cover those surfaces with enough waterproof tarps so the crew can freely move around without harming your floor.

4. Keep an eye on electricity

One of the most important things that you should keep an eye on during home renovations is your electrical system. Damage to cables, outlets and wires are not only costly to repair, they can also be highly dangerous and lethal.

All electrical cables must be covered and protected. If there’s a worn-out cable, cover it with appropriate electrical tape. It’s highly advisable to call a licensed electrician to deal with your wiring first to ensure that all electrical systems are in good shape before proceeding with the renovation.

5. Document everything

Lastly, you want to document everything. Take pictures of the area before, during and after the job so in any case the construction crew has damaged furniture, walls or floors, you can ask for a claim. When hiring a contractor, choose the company which is bonded and insured for your protection.

A home renovation should make your property better and prettier, not the other way around. To avoid unexpected damages during the project, make sure to follow these steps. From hiring the right people for the job to securing furniture and surfaces, and documenting everything, you are likely to have a successful home renovation project.

Author Bio: Megan is a writer, DIY geek, time management and works planning expert.She is happy mom of 2 who works with Grizzly Tarps. She writes just about anything, from giving you an advice on how to go about your date to sharing her personal experience in relationship how tos.