Renovating your home can take anywhere between 1 week to 1 year, depending on the size and scale of the work that needs to be done, which means keeping your belongings safe and organised throughout that process can be particularly difficult.
However, renovation work doesn’t have to be the chaotic endeavour that everyone believes it to be. In fact, keeping your belongings safe and free from damage during a home makeover can be relatively straightforward with just a few simple preventative steps.
Create an Inventory List
It can be easy to get excited and jump right in with two feet when you’re undergoing renovation work, but preparation is key for your belongings safety. So, before you find yourself throwing everything in boxes and covering the walls with different paint samples, it’s important to make an inventory list of all the belongings that you have in that room.
Alternatively, if you’re renovating an entire house then going room to room and writing up an inventory list per room will help you keep track of everything you have. An inventory list will help keep you organised during such a busy period, as well as keeping all your items noted in one spot during a time where there are often a lot of people going in and out of the house.
Top tip: Include photos of all items of value alongside the inventory list for insurance purposes, in case anything is accidentally damaged in the process.
Choose a Storage Unit
Home renovations can so easily become stacks of boxes at every corner, making your belongings prime targets for an accident. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to safeguard your possessions during this time is to relocate them to storage.
Moving items out of the house not only protects them from potential damage but also creates valuable space that will prove essential once your renovation is in full swing. Unlike your home, storage facilities offer 24hr security and comprehensive insurance options that mean your belongings are protected throughout the entire process.
However, it’s important to take time to research thoroughly and identify storage providers with proven track records and positive customer feedback. This will help ensure your cherished items remain secure and safe, no matter what renovations are taking place at home.
Pack with Care
Once you have all your belongings noted down and a storage unit lined up, your next focus should be packing. Whether you’re keeping your belongings at home or placing them in storage, packing them correctly and safely is paramount for avoiding breakages. Despite seeming like a pretty self-explanatory task, there are some key rules to follow to help make sure everything stays safe.
- Invest in high-quality packing materials that can withstand the weight
- Use plastic boxes for belongings at home as it protects your belongings from moisture in the air better
- Go bold and colour code your labels for each room
- Always refer back to the inventory list
Of course, packing can be a particularly lengthy process that requires meticulous attention. Choosing storage providers that also offer packing services can save you plenty of time and reduce the risk of any damage.
Use Protective Covers and Dust Sheets
Unfortunately, not everything can be tucked away nicely into a little box, which makes keeping the larger items in your home safe a bit more difficult. During home renovations dust seems to find its way everywhere, sticking around long after the builders and contractors leave.
For the large unmovable items such as fireplaces, carpets or some TV units, protective dust sheets and covers are essential for protection against drilling and dusty work boots. Although furniture can go into storage, you will also still need for it to be wrapped and protected.
Fitted sleeves and covers can help keep away scratches and marks from your furnishings, and should be provided by your selected storage company when using mobile storage.
The Home Storage Room
Although external storage is ideal for protecting your belongings, certain items need to remain readily accessible. Daily essentials like kitchenware and clothing should be kept within your home for practical reasons.
Setting aside a dedicated room for storing these boxed items will prevent unnecessary clutter throughout the house and protect them from accidental damage. The best choice is a rarely-used room that isn’t scheduled for renovation.
However, if construction work affects your entire home, you may need to consider relocating your designated storage space to a garage or rotate around completed rooms.
Endnote
House renovations don’t have to mean putting your prized possessions and belongings at risk. By taking precautionary measures and placing your belongings in a reliable storage unit, you can progress full steam ahead with your renovations without worrying about tripping over boxes.
Minimise stress and potential damage with these simple steps to protecting your belongings and watch your house renovation fly by.
