With the design phase of your project now complete, it is time to enter the construction phase. Whilst there is no escaping the inconvenience of not having a fully functioning kitchen, bathroom, closet or place to store your home essentials during your renovation, with the right approach, and some smart forward planning you can make the transition as smooth as possible.

Here, we show you how to best prepare for your next home renovation project and, share important steps to take in the lead up to the construction phase of your home renovation project. Be it a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, custom joinery project or all of the above, we've got you covered.

The Team at Balnei & Colina.

Image Credits: All images via Getty unless otherwise stated.

Prior to renovation - know your timeline

During the planning phase the team at Balnei & Colina will provide you with a “project timeline” outlining key milestones and events for your kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, custom joinery, or any combination of the above.

Knowing what to expect and when, including expected delivery dates will help you, and your family better plan your lives so that there is minimal disruption to your daily routines and family activities.

 

2 months before - Decide whether your staying or moving

Depending on the scope of the project, a substantial home renovation can be a messy undertaking. With dust, debris and tradesmen working in and around your home, sometimes it can be easier to plan a holiday or a well deserved break during the construction phase of your project.

In the case where a home contains only one bathroom facility, the decision may be already made for you. Decide from the outset whether you and your family are going to stay or go and plan accordingly. Book a stay at your favourite hotel or temporary stay with friends or family. Ask and book well in advance so your not stressing about last minute details.

 

1 month before - Take stock & Clean Out

1. Complete an audit - take stock of items you need and throw out those you no longer use in your kitchen, bathroom, wardrobe or other home storage units that form part of your renovation project. This is a great opportunity to have a closer look at items you’ll keep for your newly renovated room, as well as thinking about where to place them.
2. Start packing away large items - Don’t leave all your packing to the last minute. Start packing away items that are not used frequently for eg deep fryer, slow cookers, hair rollers or that wedding dress
3. Run down your kitchen pantry and bathroom vanity items. Start selecting regularly used items from closets and storage units - Rather than adding to your pantry get inventive with your meals and plan them around the pantry ingredients you already have. Remove any out-of date items from bathroom cupboards and your kitchen pantry.

 

2 weeks before - Temporary kitchen & bathroom move

Designate a temporary kitchen space & Prepare a meal plan

• Outfit the corner of your garage, laundry, part of your living area or other suitable space for a provisional kitchen. 
• No matter how much take out you bring home you’ll still need to make school lunches, pour a bowl of cereal, or make a cup of coffee. Keep your microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee machine to create a makeshift kitchen for simple and easy meals. (Balnei & Colina can arrange for your fridge to be moved to an adjacent room a week prior.)
• Invest in disposable tableware - You can setup a dishwashing station but disposable plates, cups and cutlery will be easier to manage for the short term and there is no shortage of eco friendly disposable options to choose from.

Preparing a Meal plan

• During a kitchen renovation, your cooking and eating routine will be disrupted so it’s important to keep things as simple as possible. Allocate a day a couple of weeks before your kitchen renovation begins, to plan and prepare frozen meals for the construction phase of your project. Constantly eating out can get tiring and you’ll want to ensure you consume some healthy meals throughout the process.
• Enlist the help of friends and family for an occasional fresh home cooked meal.

Move into your alternate bathroom

• Now is the time to to move into your second bathroom and set up, so that you are ready to tackle normal everyday activities. Remember to keep only those essential bathroom items on hand. You'll be in your new space soon enough, so store away any unnecessary items that would otherwise clutter and take up space in your alternate bathroom.

Designate a temporary closet or storage space

• Set aside an area of your home that will still be accessible during the renovation for your closet or storage items. Cost effective mountables are available from places like Bunnings or Kmart. Use these, to hang clothes and store everyday items in the interim. Remember to store only items you use on a daily basis. The remaining can be put away until your custom joinery project is complete and it is time to unpack.

 

Image credit: Country Style

1 week before - Pack & Protect your home

• Pack your remaining kitchen, bathroom and home items into boxes and label them. This will make unpacking a little easier and more organised after your renovation.
• Seal up other areas of the home that will be affected by the building process, eg adjacent rooms, works of art or anything special. Rooms nearby may suffer from excess dust and building debris. Balnei & Colina will seal the work area off and cover carpet and stair treads with plastic sheets and place heaving lining on floors where necessary for protection.
• For a kitchen renovation project, Balnei & Colina will also help set up your fridge and freezer in your designated temporary kitchen space if needed.

For more tips on packing read this helpful article - Home Renovation Packing Guide 

Image credit: House & Garden

Important Tips during your home renovation

• Make sure everyone in your family is in the know. Tell them what to expect and when.
• Talk to your neighbours  - There will be noise so it’s important to make your neighbours aware. Let them know what work is being completed and expected timeframes.
• Keep all meals simple
• Set up a designated dining space for meal times.
• If your unsure about anything ask questions from your Balnei & Colina project manager and keep communication open
• Stay positive - Remember the outcome - a wonderful new kitchen, bathroom or custom joinery project and; keep the renovation process in perspective.

Balnei & Colina provide a complete renovation service from design, manufacture to construction. We’ll guide you through every step of your home renovation; be it a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, custom joinery project or all of the above; so that the process is as simple and as smooth as possible.

If you have any questions or need further assistance. Call 1300 450 320 or send us an email.