There is never a great time to get home improvements done. It is a noisy, messy, intrusive, expensive, and utterly crazy-making affair. Depending on the scope of the improvements, you will not be able to stay in the home while the work is being done. This is especially true if you work from home. Some distractions simply cannot be ignored regardless of how good your concentration happens to be.
One of the best times to get home improvements done is when you are traveling. One of the nicest parts about getting all the work done when you are away is the big reveal when you return. It is like being on one of those home improvement reality shows. The other great part about having the work done while you are on vacation is that you don’t have to be there to put up with all the noise, clutter, and distractions.
Of course, the good news is also the bad news. Not all surprises are pleasant. You might be riddled with anxiety worrying about how things are turning out. You might also have some anxiety over the security of your home while strangers are running around your property with tools of mass destruction. Did they remember to lock the doors? Do you still have doors? If you want to enjoy all of the benefits of having work done while you are away without all the downsides, be sure to do the following.
Read the Reviews
When you are using a service like Networx to source a reliable contractor, be sure to read the Networx reviews and find out what others are saying. These are real reviews written by real customers who have gotten real work done on their homes. You don’t have to leap into the hiring process blindly. You can know a lot about your contractor before ever meeting them.
Know that the lead generation company where you placed your request also takes their reviews seriously. It is important they pair the right contractor with the right projects. As a consumer, be specific about your requirements and expectations. It all works together, You are reviewing the contractors. The contractors are reviewing the service. When there are issues, everyone is highly motivated to resolve them to the satisfaction of all. When you get ready to trust your home to a group of workers, read the reviews and increase your chances of having a 5-star experience.
Stay in Touch
Even on vacation, it is perfectly okay to stay in touch with your contractor. In fact, you will need to keep the lines of communication open as much as possible for the smoothest experience. If you are on vacation, your contractor is not going to want to call and disturb you. That is why you should check in periodically to be sure that they have everything in hand with nothing to report.
You also should never feel guilty about checking in for updates. If you are the type of person who worries a lot in such situations, alleviate that worry by checking in. Your contractor works for you and not the other way around. You are the boss. You are also paying a lot of money for the services rendered. So be sure to get updates as frequently as you need for your peace of mind.
Install Cameras
It is your home. Install the best cameras you can afford. Keeping an eye on the work while you are away is not the same as spying. By all means, let the contractor know that you have indoor security cameras. They have a right to know. And you have a right to use them. Among other benefits, cameras keep honest workers honest. They also allow you to keep an eye on the progress. Security cameras can have a soothing effect because they are an easy way to check up on things when you are not around to see that everything is okay. If you have ever been robbed or suffered a fire or other home disaster, you will never feel completely safe again. Having cameras can help you regain some of that lost confidence.
Your home is your castle. When that castle needs a little work done on it, you might want to take a holiday. Make it a great experience by paying attention to the reviews, staying in touch with the contractor, and utilizing in-home cameras so that you can see for yourself that all is well.
