Planning a Family Home Renovation

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Carve out a living sPaCe

Depending on the size of the project, you will likely have to make adjustments to your lifestyle and create livable zones for your family—which can be challenging in a small nYc home. Many reno-veterans have found it useful to invest in a mini fridge or a slow cooker. If possible, dedicate one bathroom for your family and another for the construction team. You can also request that your contractor set up temporary zipper walls to shield your family from the worksite and reduce the amount of dust filtering into your living quarters.

KeeP tHe FamilY saFe

According to Holland, parents should make sure their construction team has specific protection guidelines. “You can work with your team or contractor to ensure the materials (i.e. paint, waterproofing, etc.) are safe and appropriate for the space,” she says. “If you’re procuring your own finish and fixture materials, your contractor will still likely be willing to take care of the raw materials and make recommendations from there.” During this pandemic, it’s crucial that you work with a team that is taking all safety protocols

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Clue in tHe KiDs

there are going to be a lot of questions and likely some confusion for kids, especially the young ones. Make sure you explain everything to them so that they really understand what is happening and they can share the excitement with their friends and family. cathy nyarkoh, a designer at Block, also recommends kids document the process—taking pictures to create before and after evidence. this will help them feel relevant and engaged, which will make the parents’ life easier as well.

staY uP to Date on tHe WorK

Holland recommends renovators work with a team that can give them visibility into the project every step of the way. “Block provides contractors with the tools to effectively communicate with their clients and the clients have access to a dashboard with payment timelines, milestone updates, etc.,” she says. Having easy access to all this information can be a lifesaver, especially when your time is better spent looking for that lost sneaker or trying to figure out what to make for lunch.

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stiCK to tHe Plan

While it might be tempting to come up with new ideas—that wallpaper you saw on HGtV, for example—it’s best to stick to the plan. Because there are so many factors involved in a project—from designing to procurement to labor—it’s important to go with the flow after the flow has been established. “If you find yourself changing your mind during the build, the timeline will increase,” says Holland. And unless you’re on an epic (um, free?) vacation, no family wants to prolong their home’s renovation.