Home Improvement Tips: Home Renovation Safety

Whether you’re just freshening up your house with a coat of paint or putting on an extension, home renovations can be costly and stressful. Images of “The Money Pit” come to mind. Adding to the stress is finding a reputable and affordable contractor or handyman. Here are some tips for making sure both your home and your family stay safe while your house is under construction.

• Get references and check them – It’s not enough to get a referral from a friend. Ask for several references on anyone prior to hiring.

• Make sure they’re covered – Always make sure that the person you hire is licensed, bonded and fully insured and that they show you proof of insurance. Also, anyone that they bring to work with them must be covered.

• Monitor comings and goings – If you can’t be at home when workers are there be sure you have monitoring cameras so that you can watch them remotely. Don’t give out security codes but rather arm and disarm your security system remotely. If that’s not possible provide a temporary code that can be changed once the work has been completed.

• Secure personal information – Be sure important documents including financial information and/or Social Security numbers are not in sight. Close and password protect all computers as well.

• Keep children away from the work areas – Items such as drop cloths and cords from electrical tools can pose tripping hazards. Teach kids that workers’ tools, ladders and other items are not toys and should not be touched.

• Insist that all construction areas be cleaned up at the end of each day – making sure that wood shavings, nails, screws, etc. are removed. Items such as paint thinner, turpentine and other toxic products should be properly disposed or stored in a safe place out of children’s reach.

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