Should I delay my home renovations because of COVID-19?
Has COVID-19 left you wondering whether or not you should move forward with that remodeling project you had been planning?
In past years, March has traditionally been one of the most popular months for homeowners to plan remodeling projects. With the outbreak of COVID-19 and its potential impact on the economy during the months to come, many of us are left to wonder whether Spring 2020 is truly the best time to move forward with our plans to remodel.
Basically, the decision on whether or not to move forward with a remodeling project is going to vary, depending on several factors. First, you need to factor in your cash-flow and make sure you can afford the remodeling project. Next, you need to think about how important the project is and whether or not it’s something that can afford to be postponed. Below, we’ve compiled a list of questions you should ask yourself before beginning a remodeling project during COVID-19.
Questions to ask yourself before beginning a COVID-19 remodel:
- How do you plan to pay for your upcoming remodeling project? You should make sure you have enough cash-on-hand to cover expenses for several months, you should be OK to move forward with your home remodel.
- How essential is your remodeling project? Are you remodeling as a result of changes imposed by COVID-19? Some of us less accustomed to working from home suddenly find themselves needing to build a home office. Others need to remodel the exterior of their property so they can accommodate more outdoor activities for children. Whatever your reasons for starting a remodeling project, determining how essential your remodeling project is, can be one of the best questions to ask yourself.
Believe it or not, there are actually a number of benefits to getting started on a home remodeling project during COVID-19.
Benefits of remodeling during COVID-19:
If you’re still in the design process of your remodeling project, you can generally handle a large portion of your work with your designer and builder by videoconference, or email. In most cases, you don’t need to meet with your designer face-to-face in order to keep your remodeling project moving forward.
If you are planning to start construction during COVID-19, you may notice your project moving ahead of schedule. While many industries have a tendency to slow down during times of crisis, the construction industry does an excellent job of doubling down on speed and coordination necessary to increase the average pace of their projects so you can enjoy your completed remodel earlier than you anticipated.
Tips for Remodeling during COVID-19:
Now as much as ever, it’s important to stay healthy. If you decide to move forward with a remodeling project at this time, you should make sure you and your family are safe from any potential health threats. Talk to your contractor and make sure they have implemented the appropriate safety precautions around the job site, like:
- Monitoring our employees body temperature and health on a daily basis,
- Posting the symptoms and WHO recommended protective measures on the job site,
- Using port-a-potty’s, to limit on-site workers need to enter the house beyond their immediate work area,
- Providing the necessary supplies for hand-washing and disinfecting tools, and
- Quarantining the work area from the rest of the home
Have recent changes for you, and your family, prompted you to think about an upcoming remodeling project? We can probably help. We are passionate about creating one-of-a-kind, design-build remodeling projects that our clients and their families will enjoy for years to come. Contact Chris Riggins Construction today for a quote!