Survival Tips for Summer Home Improvement Work

Summer home improvement work shouldn't make you feel like a refugee. These are 10 survival tips to help your family manage the stress of remodeling.

De-clutter: Start out by doing all the de-cluttering you can. The more things you discard, the less things you have to move around and work around as you remodel.

Use licensed contractors: An elderly woman was murdered in the DC area last year by an unlicensed contractor who defrauded her and then killed her to cover it up. That's an extreme case, but you should use licensed contractors to keep your family safe and not undermine fair compensation for workers.

Plan and budget: Create a detailed workplan and budget whether you are working with a contractor or doing the work yourself. Try to minimize changes that could cost more money and make your summer home improvement work extend way beyond Labor Day.

Schedule: Set a schedule. If you are working with a contractor, specify what days and times they'll be coming to your home. If you're doing the remodeling yourself, figure out what you need to do to make your completion date and give your family reasonable time off to keep sane.

Minimize the dust and debris: Dust and debris plague most home improvement work. Hang plastic over doorways to keep out as much dust as possible. Store or cover objects that you want to protect.

Sleep and eat: Remodeling can interfere with your regular routine and make it that much harder to manage stress. If possible, set up a temporary kitchen, eat healthy takeout food, and rely on easy meals like salads and sandwiches.

Put your kids to work: If you're doing the remodeling yourself and your children are home from school, let them help with age-appropriate and safe tasks. It can be valuable training and everyone can feel good about contributing.

Don't let your pets help: Most pets don't regard change as an improvement. This is an ideal time for dog day care or swapping favors with neighbors or relatives who can provide them with temporary quarters.

Expect delays: Don't count on everything staying on schedule.

Manage the stress: Try to minimize other commitments while your family is coping with any major remodeling. Be patient with each other and with any workers visiting your home. Schedule enjoyable activities to compensate for the disruptions in your regular routine. With planning and patience, your family can survive summer home improvement work.