Thinking about starting a big renovation project?
Preparing for a major renovation is serious business. Sure most homeowners spend their time obsessing over countertop styles and paint colors. But the real preparation happens weeks before that first nail is even set.
Here’s the issue…
If a homeowner doesn’t prepare their home for renovation then everything can fall apart. Mail stops coming. Important documents get lost in the shuffle. And your dream kitchen remodel turns into a money pit.
The solution?
Never let your renovation project get crazy again by using this prep checklist.
Table of Contents
- Why A Solid Prep Plan Is Important
- Your Pre-Renovation Home Checklist
- Securing Your Mail And Documents
- Staying Organized Tips
- Conclusion
Why Spending Time To Prepare Your Home Is Important
Major renovations can be stressful for any homeowner. In fact, according to research from Clever Real Estate, nearly nine out of ten homeowners report some type of issue with their renovation project.
That means trouble with budgets. Delays in timing. Nightmare situations with contractors.
But one thing most people don’t consider…
How they will handle mail and important documents.
Imagine this.
You’re renovating your kitchen. Crews are in and out. Food deliveries are happening daily. And because the entrance to your home is covered in dust and construction equipment, regular mail delivery has become unreliable.
Here’s how using a digital mailbox can help.
When you set up an ipostal1 digital mailbox before renovation work starts, you’ll have access to your mail from any internet connection. Rain or shine, you’ll be able to open your mailbox from home or anywhere else in the world. Package deliveries and important mail won’t get lost in a sea of construction.
Need more reasons preparation is key? Consider this…
Homeowners who spend time preparing save money in the long run.
Planning might take some upfront effort. However, saving on your renovation budget by avoiding costly mistakes is worth the investment.
Your Pre-Renovation Home Checklist
Before renovations can start, there are a few things every homeowner should take care of. We have compiled a list of some of the most common renovation preparations to help you get started.
Clear The Construction Zone
This means everything. If it’s in the room(s) that will be renovated, remove it!
Hang up pictures? Check.
Dishes in the cabinets? Check.
Laptop on the desk? Check.
Belongings should be cleared out and stored somewhere they will not get damaged during construction. Ideally, this will be a spare bedroom or rental storage unit.
Cover Up What Can’t Be Moved
Not all items can (or should) be removed from your home during construction.
For belongings that will remain in the space being renovated, take steps to protect them from damage. Cover furniture in plastic sheets. Run plastic protection from the floor to the ceiling to seal off where construction will take place.
Speaking of protection…
Construction dust spreads far beyond where the crew is actively working. It gets pulled into vents, coats closets and shelves. Prevent a lot of extra cleaning later by sealing off bedrooms and bathrooms that will not be included in the renovation.
Plan For Inconvenience
This is especially important for kitchens and bathrooms. When these rooms are unusable, you’ll need to live without some comforts until renovation work is complete.
Plan for these details in advance:
- Will you cook in another room?
- Do you have family or neighbors with bathrooms you can access?
- Hotel room for a week while the kitchen is torn up?
How To Protect Your Mail and Documents
Believe it or not, this is one of the most important things to think about before renovation work begins.
When renovations start, expect delivery and mail service to be disrupted. Contractors will be coming in and out of your home. Entrances may change. Boxes will be left outside in the elements.
Nothing is safe.
The best way to avoid issues with missing mail is to take control of your mailbox before work begins. Forward mail to a trusted friend or relative. Better yet, sign up for a virtual mailbox service and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your mail is safe and accessible at all times.
Pro Tip: Make sure to set up mail forwarding or a virtual mailbox service at least two weeks before work begins. This allows ample time to update addresses with billing companies and notify key contacts.
Take Pictures Of Your Home
You know that amazing Pinterest picture you used as inspiration for your kitchen? Well, take one now that shows how your house currently looks.
Seriously. Document everything.
Run through each room of your home and take video footage and photographs. Before renovation work begins.
This allows you to:
- Have an accurate depiction of your home for insurance purposes.
- Help contractors understand how your space originally looked.
- Create an awesome before and after video once the project is completed.
Store these videos and pictures on the cloud. This way you can access them from anywhere and they’ll be safe if something happens to your phone.
Staying Organized Tips
Believe it or not, being organized can actually make your renovation project less stressful.
According to data from the National Association of Realtors, Americans spent over $600 billion on renovations in 2024. And while the vast majority of these projects go smoothly, being prepared can help things run as seamless as possible.
Create A Command Center
Pick a spot in your home that will serve as your renovation command center. Here you can keep physical or digital files related to the project.
Includes:
- Contractor info and contact numbers
- Project timeline & milestones
- Permit copies and inspector schedules
- Payment records
- Design drawings and material specifications
Everything you need to know about the renovation should be accessible in one place.
Maintain A Routine
Routine is critical during renovation work. Garbage days might change. Meal times might need to be adjusted.
Knowing when the contractors will be on-site each day helps build a new daily routine. Plan quiet activities during loud construction work. Schedule important phone calls around when digging, hammering, and sawing will be happening.
Keep Tabs On The Process
Walk the project site with your contractor regularly. Once a week is ideal.
This allows you to spot issues early on before they become costliest to repair. You can also check in on project progress and ensure materials meet specifications.
Being involved with the renovation process helps projects stay on time and budget.
Manage Your Stress
Let’s face it. Renovations are frustrating.
Dreams get crushed when you see what contractors actually do to your home. Worries build when you realize how much your project is actually costing. Reminders of how long the project will take pile up whenever you see a construction crew in your driveway.
Try to plan for these frustrations. Spend time outside of the house when construction is happening. Make sure you’re keeping up with things that give your normal life structure.
Wrapping Up
Preparing your home for renovation is more than just choosing paint colors and flooring styles. Prevent common renovation headaches by following this prep checklist before work begins.
Remember…
All of the most successful renovation projects have one thing in common. They were prepared for.
By taking the time to protect your mail, clear your space, and document your home, you set yourself up for a smooth renovation experience.
To Review:
- Clear everything out of the renovation space. Protect what can’t be moved.
- Sign up for a digital mailbox service to manage your mail before work begins.
- Document your home with video before renovation work starts.
- Create a renovation command center. Stay organized with project files and information.
- Plan for changes to your routine and manage your stress.
Renovating your home is exciting. Use this list to prepare for the project and watch how smooth everything goes.
