Home renovations can be hard enough at the best of times, but when you are living with children, it can be especially difficult.
We all know construction zones can be very hazardous places to work in, so you’ll obviously want to make sure your little ones are as safe as possible while it’s ongoing.
But equally, it is important to get the project completed as quickly as possible without the distractions their presence might cause.
So, how can you strike that happy medium between the two?
Here are 7 tips you can embrace to complete a stress-free renovation with kids in the home.
1. Do the majority of the work when the kids are not there
If your children attend school, then it is worth undertaking the majority of the renovation work when they are not there.
This might not always be feasible if you are doing a DIY reno and have regular full-time employment elsewhere.
However, if you are employing tradies or taking time off to do the refurbishment yourself, it is a good idea to try and schedule the majority of the work to be done on either side of the school drop-offs and pick-ups.
You may even want to sign them up for after-school care for the duration of the project to give you more time to complete it.
2. Create child-friendly areas
Depending on the nature of the renovation work you want to do, much of your home might become a construction zone.
However, it is important to create child-friendly areas that are ‘safe’ spaces for children to play, relax, and be while the work is ongoing.
Ideally, you will want your children to spend as much of their time in these spaces as they can. Therefore, it is important to fill them with plenty of toys, books, games, electronic devices, and anything else that will keep their minds from wondering what is going on elsewhere.
The more entertained they are, the less likely they will stray from these areas.
3. Limit their access to renovation zones
In addition to creating child-friendly areas, you should also take steps to restrict their access to the zones where the renovation work is being done.
If you have young children, a good way to do this is to install child safety gates. Although Gaffar’s tap and plastic sheets can work just as well.
It might even be worth erecting temporary fencing and ‘keep out’ signage, particularly if the work is taking place outside.
4. Responsibly dispose of your construction waste
During a home renovation, activities like stripping paint, knocking down walls, and ripping up floorboards can create a lot of mess.
It is important to dispose of this mess responsibly because if you don’t, it can present a health and safety risk to your children. For instance, dust could trigger allergies or respiratory issues, such as asthma, while materials such as plaster, wood, or concrete could potentially cause injuries or abrasions that can result in broken bones or infection.
Additionally, excess rubbish can also make the renovation zone look even more untidy and even attract unwanted pests and snakes!
Subsequently, it is worth engaging the services of a professional rubbish removal company like 1300 Rubbish to regularly get rid of it for you. Overall, the cleaner you can keep your home during renovations, the better.
5. Store tools, equipment, and hazardous materials safely
At all times during the renovation process, it is imperative to safely store your tools, equipment, and any hazardous materials you might have in as safe a way as possible when you are not using them. By doing this, you will significantly minimise the risk of injuries or accidents from happening to your children.
Additionally, all chemicals should be stored in a lockable, fire-proof cabinet that has good ventilation, and you should always make sure that surfaces are free of screws and nails that little ones can easily swallow or step on with bare feet.
6. Spend time with your kids
Even though renovation work needs to be done, it is important to always set aside time to spend with the kids.
They will want and deserve your attention. So, even if you can set aside an hour to play and bond with them, it will go a long way toward reducing their chances of disturbing you when you are back on the job.
Taking them to the beach or one of Sydney’s many parks can be a very good way to rid them of excess energy, which will tire them out and allow you to get on with the work without being disturbed.
7. Don’t do everything yourself
While you might be very handy around a renovation site, it is important to recognise that you should not do everything yourself.
Some jobs like electrical work, plumbing, or removing asbestos should only be done by professionals as they come with significant health and safety risks if performed incorrectly.
Additionally, if you try and do everything yourself, the renovation project will take much longer to complete. So, outsourcing some tasks to professionals will not only speed up the process but also enable you to finish the entire project quicker so you can enjoy your newly made-over home with your kids.
