Tag: home renovations

Safely Renovating Your Lake Home During COVID-19

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder
Photo courtesy of @reinasierra via Twenty20

As lake homeowners, we know that renovations and repairs are a fact of life. But how do we handle these projects safely during a pandemic? If your wish list for home updates is growing fast—or you desperately need a plumber now—there are a few safety issues to consider before you embark on a new project. We talked to experts about steps you should consider prior to inviting contractors into your home.

“During these unprecedented times, nothing is more important to me, my team, and our tradespeople than following OSHA COVID-19 workforce guidelines,” says Chicago interior designer Michelle Rohrer-Lauer, owner of Michelle’s Interiors. “No matter what clients want done, I am committed to providing the safest experience possible for all of us.”

Before You Begin

Photo courtesy of zipwall.com via Michelle’s Interiors

To kick off a design project, Michelle says a great deal can be accomplished via phone, video conferencing, and email to discuss the nature of what isn’t working, what you want to be done, and style and color preferences.

Next, a brief in-home visit—mask-wearing and social distancing required—can be scheduled to take measurements and get a feel for your space layout. Then, sanitized samples of finishes and fabrics can be delivered to your front porch—or you can choose to discuss selections together inside or out in the backyard while wearing masks if preferred.

As your project gets underway, make sure your design professionals follow these tips to ensure the highest standards of safety:

  • All workers have a designated entrance, wear masks, and maintain social distancing
  • Zip-wall dividers isolate the room where installers are working
  • Porta-potty with hand sanitizer on-site for workers
  • Disinfect frequently touched items such as door pulls
  • On installation days, all delivery people wear masks and gloves

Michelle also encourages clients not to touch their new furnishings for 24 hours and sanitize glass and metal surfaces. “My goal always is to make the design process easy and enjoyable, particularly during these challenging times,” she assures. “I take care of all the design details and monitor safety so clients can focus on their day-to-day life and enjoy the results.”

Communicate with Craftspeople and Contractors

Photo courtesy of Drazen_Gwtty Images via Realtor.com

Make sure to have a conversation with contractors and renovation professionals prior to them coming into your home. In an interview with Realtor.com, Doug King, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and president of King Contracting in St. Petersburg, Florida, suggests asking these questions:

  • How do you plan to keep my family safe while you’re working here?
  • Does your company have a written policy or procedure for performing work at private residences?
  • Who will enforce these policies?

You’ll also want to discuss safety basics and cleanliness and reassure professionals coming into your home they are entering a safe work environment. Everyone—you and your contractors—should be following CDC guidelines.

King also advises that no one should enter your home if there are sick persons in the house or if any of your workers are showing COVID symptoms. He also recommends you leave the house if possible while the work is underway. If you can’t leave, avoid the area while the workers are there and keep any immunocompromised family members far away from the project site.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

The best advice? Be flexible, be understanding if your plans change, and—above all—be patient. Keep in mind that nearly everyone has been sheltering in place for more than a year, and as a result, many renovation projects have been delayed.

The production and distribution of materials and supplies are backed up, contractors and craftspeople are booked out months in advance, and project deadlines have been impacted to an unprecedented degree.

King notes that in some cases, lead times for products such as cabinets, doors, and windows have doubled—and even tripled. Delays are inevitable, and it’s best to mentally prepare yourself for this ahead of time and adjust your expectations.

Be respectful that everyone is trying to strategically—and optimistically—recalibrate together during these uncertain times. Planning and looking forward to the outcome of your dream project is its own reward—and a great part of the fun!

Remodel Your Basement for More Space at the Lake

Posted on Staff

When it comes time to do some lake home renovations, many homeowners consider improving the landscaping, updating the kitchen, and painting the walls.

But what about creating a new space for your family to enjoy, without having to add-on to the existing structure?

Look no further than your basement! Often, these spaces are used as overflow storage for old life jackets and knee-boards and are rarely utilized to their full potential, but these rooms provide a number of alternative options for use.

Though we may not have an exhaustive list of possibilities, this is a great starting place for getting ideas on just how you can remodel the basement at your lake home into a place the whole family can enjoy.

Additional roomsman working on drywall

Have you ever had too weekend guests at your lake home? The basement is a great space for adding extra rooms for just such occasions, and the best part: you don’t have to add-on to the existing structure.

If your basement space is unfinished, meaning it is not currently livable, Home Advisor estimates the cost of construction could range anywhere from $6,500 to about $18,500. Keep in mind though, price depends on the size of the space and extent of construction.

Construction for an unfinished basement includes such tasks as adding insulation, hanging drywall and installing electrical wiring and plumbing, for starters.

Remodeling your basement this way is often preferred because homeowners get to start with a blank canvas which requires little, to no, demolition.

Another option for adding additional rooms includes remodeling an already finished space, such as an unused game room.

TV/entertainment area

If your lake home has plenty of sleeping space, but is lacking in the indoor entertainment department, consider remodeling your basement into a second living room or media room.

Of course this means buying an extra sofa, TV and, possibly, a sound system, but creating this type of space in your basement is worth it to most homeowners.

Say it’s Sunday, and you’re hosting a football watch party at the lake. If your basement were a second living area or game room, the kids could go down and enjoy themselves while the adults have their own fun upstairs.

Or oppositely, remodel your basement into the man/lady cave of your dreams. Here in your lake home escape room, you can kick back, drink a cold one and enjoy living the lake life.

Investing in a projector system can also transform your basement from casual second living area to your very own home theater! Add a popcorn machine and mini-fridge, and you’re ready for the next rainy day at the lake.

Office to the max

If you work from home, you might be accustomed to working in a closet-sized office space.

But by remodeling your basement, you can build the home office of your dreams.

One option is to make the entire space into your office. With the whole room to yourself, you can consider lining the walls with bookshelves to create your own library. Or invest in a large table, and use the space as a meeting or conference area. How cool would it be to bring your clients to a beautiful lakeside meeting place?

If you have chosen to add multiple rooms in your basement, section off a space for your office. Provide for yourself a roomy amount of space, big enough for a desk, arm chair/sitting space, and shelving.

Painting the walls of your office a creamy latte color and adding deep colored leather and wooden furniture will produce a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere to your new work area.

Second Residence

Another idea for how to utilize your basement space is to turn it into a in-law suite for family weekends at the lake.

Many couples might agree that having a separated in-law suite downstairs, away from their own rooms, could be beneficial after spending the day out in the sun and out on the water.

Not only does this serve to give you and your spouse some often needed space, but providing this type of lodging may help to make your in-laws feel more comfortable and welcome.

It goes to show that you have put thought into the time they will be spending with you.

While your in-laws are away, or if they do not visit often, consider renting out your remodeled basement as an apartment or weekend vacation space.

Creating a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment, complete with a living room and kitchen, is a great way to bring in profit from your home while serving as a home for another family. This can also help offset costs of maintaining your lake home in the off-season.