How can you effectively plan for a home renovation project during the pandemic? Is it safe to have contractors working in your home? How will COVID-19 impact contractor availability and product delivery timelines? These are valid concerns that homeowners with renovation plans should address, especially as many of us are working remotely or spending more time at home. With the ongoing need for masks and social distancing, it is essential to plan ahead and anticipate potential delays.
Home remodeling projects are in high demand, leading to increased busyness for contractors. However, the pandemic and recent natural disasters have caused a backlog in construction materials, such as lumber, and a heightened focus on worker safety and health. If a contractor or crew experiences COVID-19 symptoms, operations may temporarily shut down until workers return with negative test results after quarantine.
Whether it’s a kitchen remodel or the need for a plumber or HVAC technician, contractors will need to enter your home. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
Expect Delays and Exercise Patience
Prepare for delays and factor them into your plans. All aspects of your project are likely to experience delays, including product availability and delivery timelines. This includes kitchen cabinets. Homeowners who initiated or planned projects before COVID-19 should extend their original contractor timeline significantly. Supply chain disruptions and workers with flu-like symptoms could add an extra one to two months to the project’s completion. Communicate with your contractors about the precautions they are taking in response to the pandemic. Virtual methods, such as video calls, can help reduce unnecessary in-person interactions.
Follow CDC Guidelines
Both you and your contractors should adhere to CDC guidelines. This includes wearing masks, maintaining a six-foot distance from others, and practicing frequent handwashing. Provide hand sanitizer at entry points to your home. Avoid using shared areas, but grant workers access to bathrooms and sinks. Regularly clean and disinfect high-contact surfaces and spaces. If contractors may come into contact with anyone in your home, ensure that masks are worn.
Emphasize Cleanliness and Communication
Your contractor may request assurance of a safe work environment. Be prepared to share your own cleanliness protocols. Above all, prioritize the safety of contractors entering your home. If a worker is sick, they should not be allowed inside. Similarly, if anyone in your home is sick, contractors should not enter. It is crucial to reiterate that contractors or subcontractors should never enter a house with sick individuals or if any workers exhibit symptoms.
Provide Sufficient Space and Time for Contractors
If you are working from home, maintain distance and avoid hovering. Give contractors the necessary space to perform their tasks. Try to stay away from them within your home. Prolonged periods in the same room should be avoided. Ensure adequate ventilation in your home by keeping windows open for fresh air circulation, whenever possible. Kitchen and bath remodeling projects are still feasible, but homeowners need to allocate more time than usual for planning and completion. COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of home improvement, particularly timelines. Planning ahead is now the top priority for the foreseeable future. If you have concerns about a renovation or remodel project, feel free to seek assistance or initiate a design consultation with professional kitchen designers.
