We’re all spending a lot more time at home than normal. And for many Portland area homeowners, the need for more space or a home design refresh has likely come to light. Maybe you’re looking to install hardwood floors or to finish your basement. Or perhaps you’d like to redesign your guest bedroom into a home office, or maybe even add on a new bedroom!
Now matter what project you’re considering, you’re probably also wondering if now is the best time to start a project like this. Your home should of course meet your needs, but you want to keep your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, too.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be either/or. There are many precautions you can take (and that you should expect from your design-build partner). In today’s post, learn how to keep you and your family safe at home while renovating or remodeling during COVID-19.
1. Operate virtually as much as possible
At this point, you’re probably feeling like a pro at FaceTime, Zoom, or other video conferencing options. The good news is, many contractors and remodeling companies are too! To keep social contact outside of your household to a minimum, request that any design consultations, quotes, or other initial meetings be done via video conference. Just make sure to have the following ready beforehand:
- Your goals, needs, and priorities for your home
- A rough idea of your budget
- Photos of the areas you’d like to remodel
Or simply ask your design and build company what information would help them get a good idea of your space. That’s one unnecessary visit to your household saved!
2. Make a safety plan with your family and your design firm before the project begins
Before you move forward with a remodel, it’s important to have a conversation with your design and build team detailing how they plan to keep you, your family, and their team safe. Consider asking them the following:
- What are you doing to monitor the health of your employees?
- What precautions will you have in place when working in my home?
- Does your company have a written COVID-19 plan in place that covers how work will safely be done in my home?
- Who is the supervisor responsible for ensuring your workers follow this plan?
- Is it possible to designate one entry point to the worksite?
It’s worth reviewing any other concerns you may have with them so you can work out a plan to make you feel comfortable while they’re working in your home.
Also make a plan for yourself and how you and your family will stay COVID safe while the work is being done. Does it include leaving hand sanitizer at all entry points? Avoiding certain rooms throughout the day? Scheduling time to do a quick disinfect of all door knobs throughout the day? Make a plan that works best for you and leaves you feeling safe and comfortable.
3. Follow all CDC and local guidelines
At this point, these next suggestions shouldn’t come as a surprise, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, you, your family, and your contractor should all be following CDC, state and local guidelines to limit the spread of the virus. Currently, that means:
- Wear a mask at all times when around people outside your household
- Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet apart from people outside your household
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap is unavailable
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly (door knobs, sink faucets, cell phones, etc.)
If you or one of your family members gets sick, it’s important to alert your design-build firm immediately so work can be paused.
4. Leave your house while work is being done
With most of us working from home these days, it’s more important than ever that your home is a relaxing and productive environment. With your newly remodeled space, soon it will be! In the meantime, we suggest working closely with your remodeling firm to decide when you should stay home and when might be a good time to take a break.
When possible, we recommend trying to get out of the house during the most disruptive processes. Your project manager will help you know when that might be and what to expect ahead of time. Depending on the size and scope of your project, this might mean finding a safe place to work for the day or even renting an Airbnb or finding other lodging while the work is being done.
There are always options! Your remodeling partner should also help you understand how you can safely stay in your home during the project.
5. Be understanding
These are unprecedented times not just for Portland area homeowners, but for design and build companies everywhere, too. Due to constantly changing guidelines and the spread of the virus, plans may change.
As long as you’re working with a trusted design and build firm, you’ll be in good hands. Your team will plan for any scenario and let you know ahead of time what might happen if someone on the team tests positive or if there are big changes to local guidelines.
Working closely together, your team will be able to address any hiccups along the way and deliver the beautiful new space you’ve been dreaming of.
Safe and stress-free remodels with Mosaik Design & Remodeling
If you’re feeling cramped in your home, or it isn’t meeting your needs the way you’d like it to, we want to help. With almost 50 years of combined experience and hundreds of projects completed, we’re the trusted experts for Portland-area home additions and remodeling.
Our team is dedicated to helping you create a home you love, and we promise to treat your home just like we would our own — COVID-19 safety precautions and all.
Contact us today and let’s talk!