How to Prepare for a Home Renovation

Planning a home renovation? Want it to go as smoothly as possible without as much upheaval as possible? Then it pays to prepare for what is coming as best you can, right? And in that case, here are a few things that will most definitely help you with that:

1. Declutter Like It’s Judgement Day

Okay, so you can’t renovate a space that looks like a time capsule of the last two decades. Do you really need that collection of novelty mugs from holidays gone by? Now’s the time to get rid of anything that’s just taking up space. And don’t just move it all to the attic “for now” – we both know it’s never coming back down. Be ruthless. Call the skip hire people. Fling it all in. You’ll feel better if you do.

2. Protect Your Valuables

Picture this: you’re sipping coffee, watching your builders swing hammers in the background, when—oh no!—your nan’s vintage china teapot gets smashed. Avoid the heartbreak (and the awkwardness of not-so-secretly blaming the builders) by moving anything valuable or fragile out of harm’s way. Get boxes, wrap up those heirlooms, and either store them off-site or in the least chaotic room of the house.

Don’t forget about your tech. You don’t want your flat-screen TV turning into a giant dust collector. Cover it up or move it somewhere safe—unless you’re okay with binge-watching Netflix through a layer of grime.

3. Zone Out (Literally)

You’re about to live in a construction site, so it’s time to get strategic. Divide your home into ‘renovation zones’ and ‘living zones’. Sure, the living zone might be reduced to one room and a tiny corner of the kitchen, but having a designated space free from the madness will keep you sane. Bonus points if it’s far away from where the hammering’s happening.

4. Accept the Dust—But Try to Contain It

Here’s the thing: no matter how many dust sheets you put up, that fine layer of debris will spread like it’s auditioning for a role in a horror film. While you can’t stop it completely, you can at least try to minimise the damage. Cover your floors, seal off rooms with plastic sheeting, and stock up on dust masks (yes, you’ll look ridiculous, but it’s better than breathing in all that muck).

5. Prepare for Noise. Lots of Noise.

Think you can peacefully work from home while the builders quietly chip away at your kitchen? Think again. Hammering, drilling, and the occasional shout of “Oops!” will become your new soundtrack. Noise-cancelling headphones are your best friend. Or, better yet, plan to be out of the house during the noisiest bits—because there will be noisy bits.

6. Expect the Unexpected

Let’s face it,  no renovation goes off without a hitch. Whether it’s discovering your plumbing was installed by a rogue DIY enthusiast or realising your walls have the structural integrity of a biscuit, something will pop up. So, mentally prepare yourself for delays, extra costs, and a few last-minute “Oh, didn’t see that coming” moments. It’s all part of the fun. Sort of.

Home renovations really aren’t for the faint-hearted, but if you prepare as best you can, and you embrace the chaos of what cannot be planned for, you’ll get through it, and you’ll have an even better house at the end of the process to make it all worthwhile!