What Should I Do Before My Remodel Starts? A Pre-Construction Checklist for Homeowners
You’ve signed the contract, finalized the design, and picked your finishes — now what?
At The Building Company, we know the days leading up to construction can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you're remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, or tackling a full addition in Spokane or North Idaho, a little prep goes a long way toward a smooth experience.
Here’s what we recommend doing before Day One on-site.
🗃️ 1. Clear the Work Area
Remove anything that’s in, on, or near the space being remodeled:
- Furniture, decor, and window treatments
- Art and wall hangings on nearby walls
- Items in cabinets, closets, or storage spaces within the work zone
Don’t forget adjacent rooms — dust and vibration don’t respect boundaries.
Pro Tip: Use this as an excuse to declutter. If you haven’t used it in a year, maybe it doesn’t need to go back.
🧼 2. Protect What’s Staying
We’ll put down floor protection and dust barriers, but it helps if you:
- Move or cover furniture in nearby rooms
- Remove valuables or breakables
- Secure electronics, documents, or sentimental items elsewhere
Construction is messy. We keep it contained — but let’s be proactive just in case.
🐶 3. Make a Pet & Kid Plan
Remodels can be stressful for little ones and pets. Think about:
- Creating off-limits areas
- Relocating pet beds, crates, or feeding stations
- Talking to your kids about what to expect (noise, workers, etc.)
If you’re staying in the home, let us know your family’s routines so we can work around them when possible.
🔌 4. Ask About Utilities
We’ll walk you through what systems (water, power, HVAC) may be offline and when.
If your kitchen is going offline, plan a temporary meal solution — or embrace your inner takeout guru for a bit.
Need help setting up a temporary kitchen or bath setup? We’ve got you.
📦 5. Designate a Drop Zone
We’ll be bringing in materials — sometimes in bulk. If you have a preferred space for staging deliveries (garage, carport, driveway corner), let us know in advance.
Not only does this keep things tidy, it prevents confusion on install day.
📋 6. Stay Accessible
We’ll have a communication system in place — whether it’s a shared project dashboard, group text, or JobTread.
- Make sure we have:
- Your best phone number and email
- ffdInfo for any emergency contacts
- Notes on any sensitive timelines (vacations, guests, etc.)
Interior conversions tend to be the most affordable. Detached units offer the most flexibility — but also the highest cost per square foot.
3. Your Long-Term Goals
Planning to house family now and rent later? Looking to downsize into your own ADU while renting the main home? We’ll help you reverse-engineer the best setup.
🧘 7. Mentally Prepare
Yes, your house will be loud.
Yes, it’ll get dusty (even with great containment).
Yes, there may be surprises behind walls or under floors.
That’s normal — and we’re here for it. We’ll guide you through every step with clarity and calm.
Let’s Make It a Remodel You Feel Good About
You don’t have to manage this alone. We’ve helped homeowners from South Hill to Sandpoint navigate remodels that are as smooth as they are successful.
📱 Call or text:509-890-0222
📧 Email: info@pnwbuild.com
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The Building Company
is a proud member of NAHB and NARI — committed to the industry’s highest standards, clear expectations, and remodels that feel good from start to finish.
