How to Escape Unexpected Damages During Any House Renovation Project
For every homeowner, a renovation project can be fun and exciting and for every contractor, it is both rewarding and challenging. Careful planning is the key to the success of any project. However, mishaps happen. And sometimes, these mishaps lead to bigger and costly troubles, such as damaged furniture, scratches on the expensive hardwood floors, or a serious electrical disaster.
While there is almost every chance of disaster and additional work done, contractors and property managers can lessen the possibility through the following, simple steps:
Secure all furniture
Every piece of furniture inside a home is an expensive purchase. The easiest way to disappoint, even anger, a client is to damage their precious home furniture. Splatters of paint on tables and chairs, broken glass after some hammering or drilling a hole, or dusty surfaces that would take additional hours of work to clean up – all these are annoying and could ruin your reputation as a contractor. Apart from preventing unexpected damage, securing furniture makes your job easier as your crew can move freely and faster. There are plenty of ways to secure furniture. The easiest way is to remove them from the renovation area. Of course, this is applicable only to movable items. For built-in furniture, they have to be covered with tarps. Tarps are much better than plastic because they are thicker and more resilient. Drop clothes are a good option too. You can hang them using a tape or fasten them using staples.
Cover the surfaces
As much as possible, you want to expose only the areas of the house under renovation. Instruct your crew to cover and secure surfaces such as floors and walls. Whether you are simply repainting the home interior or knocking down a wall, there will surely be unwanted debris falling on the floor and potentially damaging it. Again, you can use lightweight tarps to cover surfaces. They also make cleanup much easier at the end of the day. Plus, your client will be happy to know that you’re able to control dust and dirt that are common consequences of any construction or renovation project.
Keep an eye on electricity
One of the most important things to look after during any renovation job is the electrical system. Prior starting, electrical fixtures, cables and wires must be inspected, covered and protected. If there’s a worn-out cable, it must be covered with electrical tape appropriately. Damage to a home’s electrical system doesn’t just mean costly repairs, they could also be highly dangerous and lethal.
Make sure everyone’s on the same page
If it’s a large project and you will be coordinating with separate subcontractors like cabinet makers, electricians, or plumbers, it is important to ensure that everyone is aligned and aware of which tasks they are responsible for. Before starting the project, discuss with everyone their job specifications and schedule. Proper scheduling is important to easily keep track of progress and to see to it that everyone knows who needs to be on the site on which day.
Invest on modern tools and equipment
If you feel like your current tools and equipment have already been outgrown by modern ones, it’s high time that you consider upgrading. Power tools can save you so much time and effort, and at the same time, provide accuracy and precision. Thus, there is a less chance of repeating a task or damaging walls, floors, and other parts of the property.
Designate a work area
Whenever possible, most tasks like woodworks must be done outside of the house or building. This gives your crew a more conducive area to work without worrying too much about the possibility of damaging furniture, walls, floors, etc. For tasks that need to be done inside, isolating the renovation area is the best way. Consider installing zip walls on doors and entryways to prevent dust and debris from spreading and invading other areas of the property.
Have the best crew
Lastly, you want to make sure that you have the best people in your team – those who are experienced, reliable and have strict attention to detail. If the renovation job requires repairing the plumbing system and replacing pipes, you want to assign such task to a skilled plumber. The same thing applies to other specialized tasks like repairing the HVAC system, replacing the roof, or rewiring electrical systems.
Final Thoughts
A renovation project, whether big or small, can be easily implemented with advanced preparation and careful planning. Dealing with unexpected damage during a house renovation can lead to additional work and added cost, as well as dissatisfaction of your client. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to escape them. These include securing the job site, removing/relocating furniture, covering surfaces, using proper tools and equipment, and keeping an eye to critical aspects like the property’s electrical system. More importantly, having skilled and reliable crew that is aligned to the project’s specifications will ensure that your project runs smoothly until completion.
