1. Do your research

Before hiring a remodeling or design professional, do as much research as you can online or via email, phone, and contactless video calls. Ask the necessary questions for your peace of mind about how they are coping with the situation.

Any visual information that you can provide to a professional during the initial remote consultation can help. An initial sales call by videoconference allows the owners to show the space they want to remodel, allowing professionals to get an idea and feel what the owners are transmitting to them.
A qualified general contractor should be able to provide a rough estimate by viewing your home through a video conferencing tool, then be able to give the final estimate at the time of making an appointment and finalize the necessary details.

This way, you can limit the number of contractors you meet in person. Consider that some projects must be seen in person to make a correct estimate. There are cases where things out of the ordinary require the professional to see them in person to evaluate them. Do not let this be an impediment, but take the necessary resources both you and the contractor to make the meeting as short as possible.

2. Know the rules

Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations on social distancing, masking, and other ways to stay safe. The CDC also has requirements for the construction industry, similar to OSHA guidelines, the National Association of Home Builders, and Associated General Contractors of America. Ensures that contractors and designers also comply with state and local guidelines.

3. Ask the right questions

Communication is key. When interviewing potential contractors, ask what protocols the company has, as those people will likely be the ones you have on your property shortly after closing the contract.
Establish a communication plan and protocol to follow before any problem may arise.
Ensure you know what happens every day throughout your project and that you are informed immediately if something changes in your schedule.

4. Pick a Project

As you have to spend more time at home, it would be good to find some additional space. A good option is to reconfigure rooms, give way to our offices, and lately request to build accessory housing units (ADU). Also, consider the weather as other exciting projects could be those that are outdoors like building a swimming pool, backyard remodels, driveways, landscaping, anything that can be done outside.

The most frequently asked projects are home offices, basement remodeling, some bumps, and additions, those types of projects since people will be in their homes for longer and multifunctional spaces are ideal For that.

5. Be Patient

Unlike other times, you may remain in your home during the remodeling, which may mean having to get used to the usual noises and annoyances that you would not know by not being present. It is essential to trust the professionals you hire and resist the need to participate just by being present. The reality is that this would delay the work times, causing the work to take longer than stipulated and running the risk of spending more time with people entering and leaving your home.

Also, crews must follow established guidelines. Which include asking occupants to maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet, that workers wash their hands before and after work, limit the number of visitors to only those necessary for the job, workers upon arrival for exposure to viruses and respiratory symptoms, and gloves and face protection for all workers.

If there’s one thing you should pay attention to, it’s making sure you see the mandatory sanitary supplies for construction crews during the pandemic.