A home remodel affects more than the rooms under construction. Preparing ahead can help your household understand what to expect and help you coordinate practical details with your contractor.
Use this checklist as your project moves toward construction. Your contract and agreed scope define the responsibilities for your particular project. If you are preparing for your first conversation with a contractor, start with our remodeling consultation guide.
1. Review your contract and scope of work
Read through your signed contract and agreed scope before work begins. Confirm which rooms are involved, what work is included, which selections remain open, and any preparation tasks assigned to you.
Ask about anything that feels unclear, including exclusions and responsibilities. Have project-specific decisions documented so you and the team can refer to the same information.
2. Confirm materials, purchases and deliveries
Confirm who is selecting, purchasing and receiving each item, and where deliveries can be stored. Ask which materials need to be available for each phase and who will check deliveries for damage, missing parts or incorrect products.
If you are supplying materials, keep product details and purchase records available. Tell the team about delayed deliveries or selection changes as soon as you know. Confirm the purchasing and delivery responsibilities that apply to your scope.
3. Make a plan for furniture and belongings
Walk through the affected rooms with the team and discuss what needs to be removed, protected or moved. Think about cabinets, closets and nearby storage as well as the furniture in the work area. Keep valuables, important documents and everyday essentials in a place you can access.
At WM Homes, these responsibilities vary by project. In some cases, the client removes belongings; in others, WM protects furniture or moves it to another room. These arrangements are discussed beforehand and defined in writing for each project. Confirm what applies to you, including any packing, storage or cleanup responsibilities.
4. Discuss dust protection before work starts
Ask how the work area will be separated from occupied rooms, which routes the team will use, and what protection and cleanup are included in your scope. Discuss which belongings should be removed from nearby areas and when you may enter the work area.
Dust-control arrangements depend on the work and site conditions. Talk through expectations and how to raise a concern with the team.
5. Plan for children and pets
Decide where children and pets will stay during work and how you will keep them away from tools, materials and work areas. Arrange supervision or care as needed.
Let the team know about pets, gates and household routines that affect entry. Make sure everyone in your household understands the agreed boundaries and access routes.
6. Agree on access, parking and community requirements
Confirm who will provide access, where the team and delivery vehicles may park, and which entrances or paths should be used. Arrange any gate access, keys or entry instructions through the contact method agreed with the team.
When applicable, share HOA or condominium rules covering work hours, deliveries, parking, elevator reservations and common areas. Confirm who is responsible for any required community approvals or arrangements before work begins.
7. Prepare for changes to your daily routine
Discuss which rooms, appliances or fixtures may be unavailable and how planned water or power interruptions will be communicated. Make a plan for meals, bathing, laundry and working from home around the areas involved.
Keep essentials accessible, and discuss whether remaining in the home will work for your particular scope. Ask about access and utility availability during each phase rather than assuming your normal routine can continue throughout the project.
8. Talk through the schedule and possible changes
Ask about the anticipated phases, decisions needed from you, and how schedule updates will be communicated. Materials, inspections, site conditions and authorized scope changes can affect the sequence of work.
Share important household commitments early. Review the scheduling terms in your agreement and discuss how a change would affect your arrangements.
9. Understand the change order process
A requested change or an unexpected condition may call for an adjustment to the agreed work. Ask how the proposed change affects the scope and any applicable cost or schedule commitments.
When a change is needed, WM Homes discusses it with you and presents the applicable cost and schedule impacts. After your authorization, WM sends a change order document for signature. Read the document carefully so the authorized change and its applicable impacts are clear in writing, and keep a copy with your project records.
10. Know how to follow progress and contact the team
The WM Homes team will explain how you can follow your project and communicate with us. Confirm your main contact, the agreed communication method, and how to raise questions about work, selections or changes.
Keep your contract, selections and signed change orders together so you can refer to them during conversations. Ask for clarification whenever you are unsure about a next step.
Before work begins: your quick checklist
Use these items to organize your final preparation conversation with the team:
This checklist provides general preparation guidance. Project-specific responsibilities and services are defined by your contract and agreed scope.