How to Prepare Your
Home For Your Remodel
Your remodel is almost here! Before construction begins, there are a few simple things you can do to prepare your home and make the transition a little easier. This guide walks you through everything from emptying cabinets and setting up a temporary kitchen to protecting nearby spaces and knowing what to expect on day one.
Empty Your Kitchen
Before construction begins, your kitchen should be completely emptied, including all cabinets, drawers, pantry shelves, and countertops. This is a great opportunity to declutter and set aside anything you no longer use.
As you pack, label each box so it's easy to find what you need while your kitchen is out of service and when it's time to move everything back in. Group similar items together, such as dishes, glassware, cookware, baking supplies, or pantry items, to make unpacking much more organized once your new kitchen is complete.
Create Space for Materials
During your remodel, we'll need a clean, dry place to temporarily store cabinetry, materials, and tools. If possible, clear an area in your garage, basement, or an adjacent room before construction begins.
Having a dedicated storage space helps keep materials organized, protects them while work is underway, and allows our team to work more efficiently throughout the project.
Please also make sure we have clear access to any areas we'll need during construction, such as your basement, utility room, or electrical panel. We may need to access these spaces throughout the project to complete electrical, plumbing, or other installation work.
Make A Plan for Pets
During construction, our team will be in and out of your home throughout the day, and doors may be opened frequently while moving materials, tools, and debris. For your pet's safety, we recommend making a plan before construction begins.
Please keep in mind that we may also need access to your basement, utility room, or electrical panel throughout the project. Because of this, the basement may not always be the best place for pets during working hours.
Whether that means keeping them in another part of the house, arranging for daycare, or having a family member watch them, planning ahead can help reduce stress for both your pets and our team. If your pet is especially curious or tends to slip through open doors, please let us know so we can take extra precautions.
Create a Makeshift Kitchen
Your kitchen will be out of service for a portion of your remodel, so we recommend setting up a temporary kitchen in another area of your home before construction begins. A little preparation can make daily routines much more convenient while your new kitchen is underway.
Choose a space with easy access to electricity and, if possible, a nearby sink. Gather the items you use most often, you don't need your entire kitchen, just the essentials.
Consider including:
• Coffee maker or electric kettle
• Microwave or toaster oven
• Air fryer or slow cooker
• Mini refrigerator (if needed)
• Paper plates, bowls, cups, and utensils
• A few everyday dishes and silverware
• Dish soap, sponge, and drying towel
• Trash can and recycling bin
• Snacks and pantry staples
• Pet food and feeding supplies
• Phone chargers or a small speaker (if you spend a lot of time there)
A few extras that many homeowners find helpful:
• Folding table or countertop workspace
• Plastic storage bins for pantry items
• Paper towels and cleaning supplies
• Extension cord or power strip
• Reusable water bottles or a water dispenser
Consider How You'll Cook
Take a few minutes to think about how you'll prepare meals while your kitchen is under construction. You may not have access to your oven or cooktop for a period of time, so planning ahead can make the transition much easier.
Many homeowners rely on a combination of grilling outdoors, crockpots, slow cookers, hot plates, air fryers, toaster ovens, microwaves, or electric skillets to prepare simple meals during the remodel. You may also find yourself enjoying takeout or dining out a little more than usual.
Think about what works best for your household and gather any small appliances you'll want to keep in your temporary kitchen before construction begins. A little planning now can help make mealtimes much less stressful.
Consider How You'll Clean Up
Without a kitchen sink or dishwasher, everyday cleanup may take a little extra planning. Think about where you'll wash dishes, fill water bottles, or clean small appliances while your kitchen is under construction.
Many homeowners find it helpful to keep a small dish tub, drying rack, dish soap, and towels near a laundry sink, bathroom sink, or utility sink. Using disposable plates and utensils for some meals can also make cleanup quicker and easier during the remodel.
A little planning ahead can make day-to-day life much more manageable until your new kitchen is ready.
Prepare for Dust
Let's be honest! Kitchen remodels are dusty. While we do everything we can to keep your home clean by installing dust barriers, protecting work areas, and cleaning up throughout the project, construction dust is impossible to eliminate completely.
We recommend removing or covering nearby furniture and décor and being prepared for a little extra dusting during and after the remodel. We'll do our best to keep things clean and tidy, but a little dust is simply part of the remodeling process.
Protect Valuables
While we'll take great care in protecting your home throughout the remodeling process, we recommend removing any valuable, fragile, or sentimental items from the work area and adjacent rooms before construction begins.
Items such as artwork, family photos, collectibles, heirlooms, and delicate décor are best stored in a safe location until your remodel is complete. Taking a few minutes to move these items beforehand provides added peace of mind for everyone.
You're Ready!
Preparing your home before construction begins doesn't have to be perfect. The goal is simply to make the transition a little smoother for you, your family, and our team.
If you have questions before your start date, don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help, and we'll continue guiding you every step of the way.