Tear It Down: Ways You Can Make Any Home Demolition or Renovation Easier

By Anita Ginsburg

When you're ready to start a renovation or demolition project, the first step is to get prepared with all the equipment, tools, materials and supplies that will be needed. This includes renting items that you don't own. A debris receptacle is essential for collecting all the waste that'll be removed from the structure, including old drywall, damaged flooring and broken wood trim among other things. Here are some tips for making your work easier:

Restrict the Work Area

Set up a movable fence or use wide tape to cordon off areas of the property where you plan to work. Make the boundaries clearly visible to keep family members away. If you have pets, you may want to kennel them or move them to another area of the home to keep them from entering the workspace. Make sure any fencing is secure so that it'll hold up if bumped accidentally or if a child tries to get past. Keep the boundaries in place until all equipment and supplies are removed.

Organize Tools and Equipment

Plan each day's tasks and get everything ready so you don't have to spend time looking for something like a tool or cleaning cloth when needed. You can save time and work more productively when everything is set up in an orderly way in easy-to-find areas. Keep substances that come in containers out of the way to avoid tripping over them or causing a spill. Have plenty of cleaning supplies like a broom, dustpan and sponges close by. Lay out the tools in the order they'll be needed. Keep your equipment near electrical outlets for quick plug-ins.

Collect Debris as You Work

Rent a trash bin for collecting the refuse that'll appear as the work progresses. Schedule a drop-off date for the skip bins you will need, and work efficiently to fill them while removing old materials in the home. Try to organize the work so that the largest debris will go in the bottom of the skip bin with lighter materials loaded on top of the heavier garbage. Pack the debris compactly to make room for everything that'll be discarded.

Clean Up After the Work Day

Maintaining a neat work environment will help to keep everyone safe, as well as make it easier to get things done. Sweep the floors to remove sawdust, nails and wood shavings at the end of the day. Keep your cleanup tools handy, like a shop vacuum and cleaning detergent, so you don't have to waste time looking for them every day.

Getting organized and maintaining order at your worksite will make demolition or renovation proceed efficiently. Consider these tips to help you avoid wasting time and money during your project.

Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, Colo. She studied at Colorado State University and now enjoys writing about health, business and family. A mother of two wonderful children, she loves traveling with her family whenever she isn't writing. She recommends renting skip bins to make clean up easier during your project. You can find her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.