Tips for Planning Home Renovations During a Pandemic

Amidst the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many people have spent more time in their homes than ever before. It’s only natural that this might inspire some new home improvement projects! Whether you’re making yourself a sanctuary in self-isolation, trying to tackle the annoyances that are all the more apparent when you’re around them so often, or you’re simply keeping yourself busy with projects around the house, there’s plenty to do and DIY. But, with the pandemic complicating matters, you might be worried about staying safe while renovating or completing more large-scale projects. From health precautions to budget preparations, a few steps can keep you and your family not just safe but more satisfied with your space, too.

Consider where you’re already saving.

If you’re like many, you’ve cut back on your spending over the past several months. From less time at bars, restaurants, and get-togethers to fewer commuting costs, certain budget categories have naturally decreased through 2020. Some of that may be used up with precautionary measures like face masks or hand sanitizer, but even so, you’re likely saving money by spending more time at home. Sit down with your budget and see where you have some extra wiggle room, where you can cut back further, if needed, and how much you can allocate to a home renovation project.

Factor in what you need most.

The past year has changed many people—working from home, guiding online education, and taking up plenty of new hobbies between Zoom calls. Look around your space and think about making your home a better place to do all of the above. Add on that home office or create built-in storage for your craft supplies. Cooking more than ever? Look into low-budget kitchen renovations that will make your homecooked meals even more enjoyable. These drastic life changes don’t have to be negative ones—take lemons and make lemonade or a great new space.

Ask yourself what you miss.

From missed milestones to canceled trips, we’ve missed out on a lot lately. How can you bring some of those experiences home? You might not be able to tour the rain forest, but you can arrange for house plants delivery to bring elephant ears and birds of paradise to your living room. Missing out on happy hour? Set up a home bar to share with your bubble. Can’t go to the gym? Work to make your own at home—you can even DIY certain aspects to get a workout in the process. Home renovation won’t replace the things you’ve missed, but it can definitely make them easier to deal with.

Make your space more versatile.

A versatile space ensures you and your family can tackle everything that a pandemic brings, from remote work and learning to new projects. Set up your office with a neutral background for office video calls and a space where you can destress between Slack messages. Ensure the kids have a space to be productive during the school day but room to play when their homework is finished. This is all the more important if you’re working with a small space from the start—big or small, home renovations can transform your space into something multifunctional.

Verify your professionals’ precautions.

Once you’ve decided upon the projects you plan to tackle; it’s important to consider who’ll be doing the work. Be ready to spend lots of time searching “roofer near me” and reading customer testimonials to find a good match. But, in the context of a pandemic, your research efforts won’t be limited to cost and expertise. It’s just as important to find out how the pros are taking precautions, whether wearing a mask, working with a minimal team, or something else. Ensure you’re comfortable with whatever measures they’ve implemented, or find out if more can be added, if necessary.

Take advantage of altered offerings.

No matter how talented the pro, they can’t complete the renovation process remotely. But certain tasks can be moved into the virtual realm to help keep you and the professionals you’ve hired safe. Kalamazoo window installers might offer online estimates or live chat for customer support, rather than meeting with the team in person. In many cases, there might even be financing offers to offset the costs amidst this “new normal.” A pandemic brings plenty of adjustments but, when changes are offered to make the process easier, they’re often welcome ones.

Keep things clean.

When you’re renovating and have construction crews and other teams going through your home, you’re sure to want to keep things as neat as possible. On the one hand, keeping the rest of the house organized will make your remodel’s chaos easier to deal with. On the other, you’ll have a tidy home to welcome the professionals into. But, in a pandemic, it’s all the more important to keep things clean in terms of sanitation. Pull out those Clorox wipes and Lysol spray and disinfect your space before and after working crews come through. You’ll not only be protecting yourself and your family from any germs they might unknowingly spread, but you’ll keep the people you’ve hired safe, too.

Relocate, if you can.

Visiting friends or staying with family isn’t a simple task during a pandemic like this year. But, when possible, being away from your home while the professionals work can help keep everyone safe along the way. If you’re lucky enough to have a vacation home, consider taking your family there while the home projects are being completed. If you’re comfortable renting an Airbnb or other space, it can give you a separate, safe spot to stay. At the very least, consider going for a drive, taking a walk in the park, or going for a socially distant supply run while the team is working on your home. This way, you’ll be minimizing contact and keeping everyone as healthy as possible.

COVID-19 and 2020 as a whole have brought plenty of changes to everyone’s lives, but these don’t need to be exclusively negative adjustments. Whether you’ve found yourself with spare funds from staying in or you want to make your home a happier space to spend time in, a home renovation project can be the bright spot you need to redeem the year—and navigate the pandemic with a little more ease.