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14 | S P A C E S HOME RENOVATIONS – PART TWO: CONSTRUCTION 1. TO MOVE OUT OR STAY PUT? Construction sites are busy, dusty and loud. Depending on the project scope and size of your home, there may not be room for a temporary living space once construction starts. Consider where your family will sleep, how you'll prepare food, if you'll have access to a washroom and where everyone will gather at the end of the day. There will be periods of time throughout construction when water and electricity services will be turned off, noise will be excessive and drywall dust will be tracked throughout the site. Contractors often require access to the attic, electrical panel and plumbing chase throughout the duration of the renovation. In many cases homeowners choose to relocate to a second home, to a short-term rental or to the home of friends or family during construction. This often results in a smoother process, alleviating stress on both the homeowners as well as the contractor team. In many cases homeowners choose to relocate to a second home, to a short-term rental or to the home of friends or family during construction. 2. PACKING UP Depending on the size of your project, residential renovations can take anywhere from a few months to more than a year. Before demo can begin, you'll need to allow time for packing and storing your belongings. Ensure you've considered all areas impacted by the project scope. For this renovation, the primary scope of work includes the kitchen, family room and dining room. However, all hardwoods on the main floor will be refinished, including those in the bedrooms. Bedroom furniture and closet contents will need to be packed up to allow contractors access to the floors. Ensure that you have space in another area of your home or garage to store these items or consider renting a portable storage container. THINK AHEAD WITH THESE 5 KEY CONSIDERATIONS when planning the construction phase of your project: Continued from page 13

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