The contractor’s scheduled, the materials are ordered, and work starts next week. What now? A little preparation on your end makes the project go smoother for everyone — and protects your home and belongings.
Here’s how to get ready.
Before the Crew Arrives
Clear the Work Area
The space being renovated needs to be empty. That means:
- Furniture: Move it to another room or into storage
- Wall decor: Take down pictures, mirrors, and shelves
- Personal items: Clear closets, cabinets, and drawers in the work zone
- Floor coverings: Roll up area rugs
Pro tip: The more you can clear out, the faster the work goes. Contractors shouldn’t be working around your grandmother’s china cabinet.
Protect Adjacent Areas
Dust travels. Even with barriers, fine particles find their way around.
- Cover furniture in nearby rooms with sheets or plastic
- Seal doorways with plastic sheeting if possible
- Consider moving sensitive electronics away from the area
- Store anything that can’t be cleaned easily
Create Access Points
Contractors need to get in and out, bring materials, and remove debris.
- Clear a path from the entry point to the work area
- If they’re using the driveway, move your cars
- Decide where materials can be staged
- Identify where the dumpster will go (if needed) — check your municipality’s requirements, as Millstone, Freehold, and Monroe each have different rules
Practical Considerations
Plan for Disruption
Depending on the project, you may lose access to:
- Kitchen: Plan for meals out or set up a temporary kitchen (microwave, hot plate, mini fridge)
- Bathroom: If it’s your only one, discuss the timeline with your contractor. Most bathroom projects can be staged to minimize time without a working toilet.
- Water or power: Some work requires shutoffs. Know when these will happen.
Set Up a Dust Barrier
Even if your contractor handles this, understand that:
- Plastic sheeting helps but isn’t perfect
- HVAC returns should be covered or filtered
- Door bottoms can be sealed with draft stoppers
Think About Pets
Construction sites aren’t pet-friendly:
- Loud noises and strangers stress animals
- Open doors mean escape opportunities
- Debris and tools are hazards
Consider keeping pets with family, at daycare, or confined to a separate area of the house during work hours.
Communicate with Neighbors
If you share walls (townhouse/condo) or the work will create noise and traffic:
- Give neighbors a heads up
- Share the expected timeline
- Provide your contact info in case of concerns
This is especially important in closer-knit neighborhoods throughout East Windsor, Cranbury, and Hightstown.
During the Project
Establish a Daily Routine
Talk to your contractor about:
- What time work starts and ends
- How they’ll access the house (key, code, you’re home)
- Who to contact with questions
Stay Out of the Way
This might sound harsh, but it’s practical. Having homeowners hovering over every task slows work down and can create awkward situations.
Better approach: Schedule a brief check-in at the end of each day or every few days. Review progress, ask questions, and address concerns — but let them work during work hours.
Document Everything
Take photos throughout the project:
- Before work starts
- At major milestones (behind walls, rough plumbing/electrical)
- After completion
These are useful for warranty claims, future work, and peace of mind.
Starting a project soon? Get in touch and we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect and how to prepare. We serve Millstone, Freehold, Monroe Township, East Windsor, Manalapan, Cranbury, and all of Central New Jersey.