Preparing for the Installation Process

It’s time for the installation process to begin!  Elation or trepidation?  When our homes are under renovation or construction it can be a frustrating experience, but there are many ways to navigate the difficulties and make the process smoother for you and for your family. Before installation begins, a bit of prep-work will help you figure out how to create a comfortable living environment for your family, and working environment for the men and women who will be working on your home.

Ask the right questions

Don’t wait until the construction crew shows up to ask yourself some key questions. The answers to these questions will help you and the crew to understand the parameters of the job; boundaries are helpful for everyone to feel comfortable. Consider these questions:

What days and hours can the crew work?

Are there areas of the home that will require the crew to  have special permission to enter? What are they?

If applicable, where is the security alarm system located in your home?

Are there children living in the home? What is their schedule? Who is responsible for them between the hours when they return from school, and when parents return from work?

Are there pet considerations?

Are there neighbor concerns or considerations?

Where can deliveries be dropped off and/or stored?

Which bathroom(s) can installers and other crew workers use?

Where can the crew park their vehicles?

What hours can you be reached, and at what number, should the crew need to contact you?

Will there be a dumpster on-site, or will you need the crew to provide trash removal of cabinet shipping materials and other debris from cabinetry installation?

Do you have any special requests of the crew to make the experience easier on you and other household members?

Tips from the experts (that’s us!)

At Cabinets & Designs we are not strangers to the installation process; we have learned a thing or three along the way, and we hope that passing on this knowledge will help your transition during renovation a more pleasant experience. And we invite you to share your tips for a better installation experience with us as well. Here is a list of things we think can help during your next home renovation project:

If you have a room being remodeled, remove everything from that room before the crew arrives. If there is a demolition scheduled, remove everything from inside of cabinets and on countertops and store them in another room. If you have items that are too large to move but that you wish to save, make that clear with the crew before the project begins and clearly label the object(s) with signage.

Put away hard-to-clean items; cover desks, book cases, etc. with drop cloths.

If you are going through a kitchen remodel, designate an area outside the kitchen as a mini-cooking space during the renovation. Items to consider including in your temporary kitchen: microwave, refrigerator, toaster oven, hot plate; wet wipes, paper towels, napkins, disinfecting wipes; disposable plates and utensils; garbage can; pantry/food storage area. A kitchen remodel can be tough to negotiate so consider doing a lot of cooking on the grill, and take friends up on dinner invitations! 

If a sink in one room is disabled during a remodel, repurpose another sink for the job. For example, if you can’t use your kitchen sink, use the bathroom or laundry sink. Make sure that you regularly disinfect sinks where you are cleaning food.

Create space for drop-off and storage of new items (cabinetry, fixtures, etc.) during the installation process; try to keep it as close as possible to the room for which they are intended.

Don’t forget the pets—have alternative areas for their food and water trays, as well as for food storage. 

“Expect the unexpected”: Just as in life, in home renovation there is always the possibility that things do not go exactly as planned. Keep calm, work with your designers and contractors, and focus on the end goal: your dream space.

Are you ready to make your dream home a reality? Visit us at Cabinets & Designs today!