What to do with yourself when a contractor is working in your home

As fun and rewarding as doing a house renovation yourself can be, sometimes the job is simply too big for you to tackle alone. In these instances, look to hire a contractor to come into your home and do all the hard, complicated work for you.

However, turning your beloved abode into a messy worksite can be a stressful situation, especially if extensive remodelling is being undertaken. Some people might be inclined to cling to their workers and oversee every little thing they do, but the nuisance of this can actually produce negative results.

So when a contractor is working in your home, what should you be doing with yourself?

Move out

As your house is transformed from a livable, cosy sanctuary into a construction site, it would be wise to consider moving out temporarily. This means your hired helpers are free to do as they please, without the obstruction of you and your family. 

Manage your family

You can't just think about yourself, though. If you have children or elderly parents living with you, you will need to make sure you inform them of the situation and try to keep them out of the way. This could mean trying to go out for as long as possible during the day, or at the very least limiting which rooms they can use during work hours. If you have pets, you will also need to ensure that they are accounted for and managed – especially when dangerous equipment is in use.

Maintain dialogue

As it is your home and your project, you're allowed to speak up if things aren't going as you expected. In fact, many would recommend checking the work at the end of each day to ensure it is on-track, as well as keeping an open dialogue with your head contractor in order to make sure you're both on the same page. That being said, be careful not to be a pain. You hired workers for a reason, so you need to let them do their job undistracted. 

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