The Home Remodel Survival Guide
If you’re hiring a remodeling contractor to improve your home, one of the biggest concerns you might have is whether you can stay in your home while the work is being done. The good news? At Sicora Design/Build, most of our clients—about 90-95%—choose to remain in their homes during the remodel. While this requires some adjustments, with careful planning and clear communication, the process can be smooth and manageable.
Communication is Key
One of the biggest factors in a successful remodel is clear and frequent communication. Here’s how we keep our remodeling clients in the loop:
- Setting Expectations: Remodeling isn’t just a financial and logistical journey—it’s an emotional one, too. That’s why we help our clients understand the typical highs and lows of a remodel. Knowing what to expect up front can help you navigate the process with confidence.
- Weekly Meetings: Our project managers hold weekly meetings with our clients. These check-ins allow us to discuss progress, address concerns, and ensure everything is moving forward smoothly. Designers are included in these meetings at key times during the project.
- Project Management App: We use a digital platform where clients can see daily updates on their schedule. This app allows you to follow along in real time and view progress photos taken onsite. The schedule is also refreshed weekly on the app so you can go into each week knowing what to plan for.
Keeping Your Home Livable During a Remodel
Life doesn’t stop during a remodel. You have schedules to keep, kids to care for, pets to manage, and daily routines to maintain. Our goal is to make your home as comfortable as possible throughout the process. Here’s how we do it:
- Pre-Construction Meeting: Before remodeling begins, we hold a detailed pre-construction meeting. During this meeting, the project manager reviews blueprints with you to outline what areas of your home will and won’t be usable. We provide a two-week period for you to prepare and store away non-essential items.
- Temporary Spaces: We’ll discuss how and where you can set up a temporary kitchen, living space, and even a laundry facility so that you can carry on with daily activities during your home renovation project.
- Phased Projects: If your remodel is extensive, we often break it into phases—or example, completing the upper level before moving on to the main level. This strategy ensures you always have a designated area of refuge.
Minimizing Dust and Protecting Your Home
During a remodel, dust can be a major concern. We take the following measures to protect your home and HVAC system:
- Physical Barriers: We set up zipper walls–plastic sheeting with zipper closures at key access points–to contain dust and debris generated during the construction process.
- HEPA Air Filtration: We use HEPA air filtration systems to improve air quality by removing airborne dust particles.
- Furnace Filters: We provide 1-inch filters for your HVAC system and recommend changing them weekly to keep your furnace running efficiently.
- Return Air Filters: Filters are placed on return air ducts to prevent dust and debris from circulating throughout your home.
We’re Here for You
A remodel is a journey, and the Sicora Design/Build team will be with you every step of the way. Whether it’s helping you manage logistics, offering clear communication, or setting up temporary spaces to keep your home functional, our team is committed to making the process as smooth as possible. If you have concerns along the way, we’re always here to talk about how we can help. With our hands-on approach, we’ll ensure that your remodel is a success from start to finish.
Are you ready to start the transformation of your home in the greater Minneapolis area? Let’s make it happen—together!
