ake bathroom remodelling more bearable

REMODELLING BRINGS chaos, but take heart: the right approach can turn your project into an en- joyable adventure for the whole family.

Before you start remodelling your bathroom, take a look az these tips.

How do you keep your head when the walls around you are coming down and when worries about schedules and budgets cause insomnia?

How do you cope when the water in the bathroom is shut off, when the tub, sink and toilet are relegated to the garage indefinite- ly?

Exprienced remodellers say that a practical approach, preparation, and a positive attrude can help pull you through the stress of a bathroom remodelling.

Here are some iips for turning chacs into an adventure.

Preparing for 2 mess

Inevitably, remodelling a bathreom will disrupt the entire family. Hf you can efficiently han- dle the mess, you'lf{ keep the level of stress down, and the job run- ning smoothly.

The first step is to clean out the entire area, moving ali furniture, carpet, and accesscries to a safe place. Don’t try to work around your belongings — that may cause needless damage and delays.

Next, hang sheets of plastic over adjacent doors and hallways. Tape the sheets to the door frames to prevent fine dust from drifting into the other rooms when demo- lition is in progress. Wet the sheets to help keep dust down if you’re removing plaster walls or ceilings.

To protect your floors, cover them with plastic, sheets, old carpet, or newspaper, and put a heavy-duty doormat at the outside exit.

Even with all these precautions, your house still will get dusty. It’s best to accept this fact from the start. Do your best to work around it, and be prepared for a major cleaning project when the remodelling is complete.

Practical tactics

Setting up temporary accom- modations that include a chemical toilec and portable shower can keep your family sane, especially if you are renovating the house- hold’s only bathroom. Beg, bor- row, or buy camping cquipment for basic needs.

Timing is also important. Cop- ing with remodelling is easier dur- ing temperate seasons — spring, summer, or early fall, when fami- ly members can move outdoors for relief from the noise and mess.

When planning the schedule for your project, you consider family events. For exam- pie, don’t Iet a bath remodelling coincide with a guest’s extended visit or withthe potty training of your child.

Follow the scout motio and be prepared, it is essential to the remodeliler’s survival. Brace youself for the unexpected. Be prepared for scheduliug hitches due to bad weather, unforeseen structural problems, or materials that don’t arrive on time.

Also, be prepared for budget overruns and unexpected expenses. To handle financial surprises, it’s a pood idea to add a 10 to 15% sefety margin to the remodelling budget.

Some professionals also advise including funds in the budget for Mmoteis, restaurant meals, and thorough cleanup after the pro- ject.

Make firm decisions regarding such things as floor plans and

re nner a re re

should also.

product choices before construc- tian on your bathroom begins. Indecision causes delays and delays cost money.

Because delays are expensive,

Give yourself a

big hand. Before you

it’s smart to have all materials and fixtures on hand before work begins, even if that means that the tub displaces the auto in your garage.

lift a finger to renovate or

redecorate, visit the B.C. Fall

Home Show first.

You'll find this year’s Show

bigger than ever, offering you the

widest selection of products so

you don’t have to drive from

shop to.shop.

You'll get al the expert

help and advice you need,

free for the asking.

You'll find hundreds of ways to

improve on your home improve-

ment, and even save money while

you’re at it.

You don’t want to miss Sheil

Most important to your survival of a bath remodelling project is a positive attitude — with an eye toward the future and the enjoy- ment your new bathroom will give

your family.

Reprinted with permission from Decorating Magazine. Distributed by Los Angeles Times Syndicate.

Busey’s fabulous demonstrations at the

B.C.Hydro Home Ideas Show.

Or all the latest state-of-the-

art fixtures and accessories

at the Kitchen & Bath

Showcase.

But the Home Show

is not all work. There

are stage shows, cook-

ing demonstrations,

great contesis and so

much more.

The B.C. Fall Home

for a good time and great results.

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