PHYSICAL PREP: GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR RENOVATION

Mental prep is half the battle — but now it’s time to prepare your physical space. A renovation doesn’t just change the look of your home; it changes how your home functions during the process. The better prepared your space is, the smoother the renovation goes, the safer your belongings are, and the faster the contractors can do their jobs.

This part is all about making the renovation as pain-free and disruption-free as possible.

🧹 1. Clear Out the Space Being Renovated (More Than You Think You Need To)

When a contractor says, “clear the space,” they don’t mean move a couple of items aside… they mean empty it. The more open the room is, the faster the crew can work — and the less risk there is of anything getting damaged.

For kitchens:

• Remove countertop appliances

• Clear cabinets if they’re being replaced

• Take out dishes, food, spices, seasonings, everything

• Empty drawers so the cabinets can come out fast

For bathrooms:

• Remove towels, toiletries, products, decor

• Take down shower rods, shelves, and wall items

For living areas:

• Move furniture out

• Take down wall hangings

• Remove floor lamps and decorative items

This protects your belongings and speeds up the job by HOURS — sometimes days.

📦 2. Create Temporary Living Zones

If your kitchen is being renovated, you’re going to need a temporary kitchen space.
If your bathroom is being renovated, you’ll need a bathroom plan.
If your floors are being replaced, you’ll need somewhere to walk, somewhere for the pets to go, and a place for temporary storage.

Here’s how smart homeowners prepare:

Temporary Kitchen Setup:

• A folding table or countertop

• Microwave

• Air fryer or toaster oven

• Coffee maker

• Paper plates & disposable utensils

• Cooler or mini fridge if needed

Temporary Bathroom Plan:

• Pack a small caddy with daily essentials

• Prepare alternate shower or sink areas

• Inform the family and keep routines flexible

Living Room Prep:

• Move TV into another room

• Keep blankets, chargers, and essentials accessible

Planning this now will reduce frustration big time later.

🔒 3. Protect Your Belongings the Right Way

Renovation = dust, movement, tools, materials, boots, and vibrations.

Contractors protect what they can, but homeowners should take extra steps:

• Use plastic bins to store items (not cardboard)

• Cover remaining furniture with drop cloths

• Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap

• Move valuables (jewelry, electronics, important papers) to another room

• Take down artwork, frames, mirrors, TVs, and floating shelves

Think of it like preparing for a storm — the more secure everything is, the safer it is.

🧽 4. Clear Pathways and Entry Points

Contractors will be coming in and out of your home daily. You can make their job easier and your home safer by preparing the walkways.

• Move shoes, rugs, cords, and kids’ toys

• Clear hallways

• Remove breakables from entry tables

• Make space near the front door for tools/materials

• Consider child gates or pet gates if needed

You don’t want a contractor tripping over anything — safety protects EVERYONE.

🐶 5. Make a Plan for Pets

Dogs, cats, kids — we love them, but they do NOT mix well with renovation chaos.

Pets may get scared by loud noises, strange people, or open doors.

Set up a safe zone:

• A separate room

• A crate (if they’re crate-trained)

• A gate or enclosure

• Or even take them to a family member’s house for certain days

Nothing slows down a renovation faster than a scared dog sprinting through drywall dust or a cat escaping out the open door.

🚗 6. Move Vehicles Out of the Driveway

Your driveway will become:

• A loading zone

• A staging zone

• A tool zone

• A parking spot for workers or dumpsters

Move your cars to the street so the crew has full access.

This helps:

• Speed up unloading

• Reduce traffic

• Prevent scratches or damage

• Keep workers efficient

🗂️ 7. Create a “Renovation Bin” for Small Essentials

This is a pro move.

Have one dedicated bin for:

• Extra keys

• Tape measures

• Pens

• Notepads

• Project binder

• Warranty paperwork

• Paint samples

• Business cards

• Contracts

• Receipts

• Swatches

When you need something, you won’t have to dig through boxes.

🧺 8. Prepare for Dust (No Matter How Good Your Contractor Is)

Even with:

• plastic barriers

• zipper walls

• floor protection

• negative air machines

• daily sweeping

…dust always finds its way around.

Prepare by:

• Closing interior doors

• Covering vents (if advised)

• Changing AC filter after the job

• Protecting furniture with plastic

• Using an air purifier if you have one

• Removing fabric items that trap dust

It’s temporary, but it’s worth preparing for it.

🔌 9. Protect Your Electronics

Dust and vibration are NOT your electronics’ best friends.

Before renovation:

• Unplug unnecessary electronics

• Move TVs and speakers

• Cover computers and printers

• Wrap wires

• Move gaming consoles, modems, and routers

If you can create an electronics-safe room, even better.

🚧 10. Give the Crew a Designated Space for Tools & Materials

This keeps your home organized and avoids confusion.

Pick a spot such as:

• A garage corner

• A dining room wall

• A back patio area

This gives the crew:

• A clean place for tools

• A safe place for materials

• Faster workflow

• Less walking through your home

The more organized the space is, the smoother the project will go.