Thinking of renovating your home? Before you start consider if there are restrictions which could limit or hinder your plans.
These restrictions may include:

• Physical restrictions which include:
  • The location of sewer pipes which might be in the way of a planned extension. The location (including vertical alignment) could impact where new bathrooms, laundries and kitchens can be added and even the position of new toilets, bathtubs and sinks.
  • The layout of the current house. You need the new extension to tie into the existing house's layout, or you may have to modify the existing layout to accommodate the new extension, but this will add to the costs. You also don't want the new extension to block windows and natural light in your existing rooms.
  • The structural integrity of the existing building. You don't want to remove a wall or column and cause the roof to collapse. Equally you don't want to embark on an expensive internal renovation if the structure of the roof is failing and in danger of collapse.
  • The design of the existing roof. Modifying an existing roof is often costly and can result in leaks and colour and material differences. Extending an existing house is cheaper and easier if it can be done without altering, or tying into the existing roof.
  • The materials incorporated in the existing building. Can you match them or will you have to redo areas of the house you weren't intending to renovate to match the new finishes and fittings in the renovated areas - adding additional costs you have not budgeted for.
  • The topography of the property. Sloping sites require level areas to be created for the extension, which require ground excavations or filling with earth. You might have to incorporate steps to go from the old existing portions of the house to the new extension.
  • The foundations under the existing walls. These foundations may prohibit, or make it problematic, to add another floor or storey, or could make it difficult to relocate internal walls.
  • The location of the current building on the property. Is there space for the planned extension?
  • The current architectural design of the house. The alterations, changes and additions should generally match the existing architectural style of the house, or the existing style (interiors and exteriors) need to be modified so there’s a coherent design flow. For instance, adding a modern cutting edge extension to a Victorian existing design in most cases will result in a mismatched poorly coordinated design. So matching a modern extension with an existing vintage house could require extensive modification of the existing fixtures, fittings and finishes (at additional costs) to maintain continuity. Having said this though, clever architects have managed the transitions with sympathy and good effect.
• Local or council bylaws and estate rules which could dictate the distance that the new building can be from the property boundary, the location and size of windows overlooking your neighbours, the height of the building and sometimes even the architectural features of the house. (Much of this I discuss in my other book, but needless to say it’s important that you familiarise yourself with all these rules, or at least engage a design professional who understands the various rules and requirements.)
• Heritage listing – some older houses are heritage listed houses which limits what can be done on the exterior of the house, and in some cases, depending on the type of listing, could even restrict what can be done internally. Heritage listed properties can be very expensive to change.
• Neighbours’ objections.
• Access for construction. Can the builder get the materials to where they are needed? What equipment is required and can it get to the construction area?
• The requirement to continue living in the house. How will this impact the construction if you require water and power to be available during construction? What about dust, security, noise, etc?
• Your budget. Can you afford the changes and renovations you want? Many a renovation has come unstuck and left half completed when money has run out.

​​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

It’s important that all insurances are in place before starting home renovations or remoddelling work, and before starting construction of a new house. You don't want something to happen to your home before construction is complete, such as a fire, theft or damage from storms, only to find that you are uninsured. So it's imperative to check that existing policies won’t be adversely affected by the work.  For instance, work in existing buildings may impact the security of the facility, or expose the property to the risk of damage from the weather or from flooding. You should discuss the work with insurance providers to ensure that the policy is not made void. Additional cover may have to be purchased to cover any shortfalls. Alternatively, the insurer may require mitigating measures to be installed, such as extra security, more firefighting equipment and so on.

​Depending on the contractual terms and conditions some insurances will be the responsibility of you and some the responsibility of the contractor. Most insurances are renewed annually so it’s good practice to have a schedule of all insurances so that action can be taken timeously before they fall due. In addition, when project conditions change, the contract value changes, or the project time-line is extended it will be necessary to advise the insurer, and in some cases additional insurance may have to be taken out. Failure to notify the insurer of changes could negate the policy.

Insurance that needs to be considered includes:

• Insurance of the project to cover for damage and theft on the project.
• Worker’s compensation insurance purchased by the contractor to cover injury of their workers on the project. You don’t want to be paying their medical bills or have no hospital willing to treat an injured person on your project because they have no medical insurance.
• Construction equipment insurance.
• Third party liability insurance, which protects you from claims or lawsuits from third parties for damages caused by the construction work. For instance, damage to a neighbouring property or injury to a member of the public.
• Design indemnity insurance which should be provided by designers and contractors who have a design component in their contract. This protects you from additional costs incurred as a result of a design fault.

​Insurances provided by the contractor must be checked to ensure that they’re valid, that they’re of sufficient value and there aren’t clauses or conditions which are unacceptable or can’t be fulfilled.
It should be noted that insurance claims may be voided if:

• You were found to be negligent – such as failing to take suitable safety or security precautions.
• Construction equipment was operated by an individual who didn’t have the required license, someone who was intoxicated, or a person who wasn’t trained to use the item.
• Equipment was used which was obviously faulty.
• The insurance provider wasn’t provided all the details of the project, or the value or methods changed from what they were provided.
• The policy has lapsed or premiums haven’t been paid.

​Like all insurance policies it pays to read the terms and conditions to ensure that the policy is suitable, that it will cover all the expected risks and it won’t be rendered null and void. When unsure, expert advice should be got from the insurance broker and other experts. Always get all questions answered in writing. In some instances certain events may require additional insurance, such as for flood or storm damage. 

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

​Frequently problems occur on construction projects because of misunderstandings and poor communication. It’s vital that:

• All communication of a contractual nature is in writing. That’s communication which may add additional costs, cause delays to the project, or which causes a deviation to a drawing (even moving the position of a light switch by a few centimetres (inches)) should be in writing.
• Communication is clear and that the party receiving the communication understands the expected outcomes.
• That communication is directed to the contractor’s responsible person. The contractor often has a number of employees and subcontractors working on the project, but all communication should be addressed to the contractor’s designated representative, unless there’s an urgent safety problem.
• Communication should be conducted in a civil manner. It’s easy to get caught in the heat of the moment and say inappropriate things. Construction is a team effort and you’ll be working with the contractor for several months so it’s important to keep things on a professional level.
• The contractor should know who they can take instructions from. If various members of your family comment or change items then it will create confusion, probably adding additional costs when instructions are followed from a person not authorised to give the instruction.

Keep track of all conversations and meetings in your diary. The date, who attended and who said what. Always ask questions when you’re unsure.

I started this series with an article: ​Home build and renovation contracts part 1 - what you should know followed by my next article  Home build and renovation contracts part 2 - the rules of the project.  Last week I discuss what should be included  in a home build or renovation contract with your contractor: Home build and renovation contracts part 3 - What contracts should include.

​In this article I discuss different types, or forms, of contract.

Building contracts can be standard industry documents, contractor drafted contracts, or even your own form of contract.

For most building projects contractors prefer using their form of contract. This is particularly the case with suppliers, installers and home-builders. However, it’s possible to use an industry standard form of contract, or you may prepare your own contract. It should be noted that many contractors will be loath to sign contract documents that owners have prepared. If you want to use a specific form of contract this should be given (or specified) when the contractor is requested to price the work. Asking the contractor to sign a contract document which they didn’t have when they priced the project may give them an opportunity to submit a variation claim. If the terms of the contract you propose using are too onerous then contractors could decline to price your project.
​
The motto of any contract should be to keep it simple and always seek expert advice.

There are many standard forms of construction contract which are used internationally, within certain countries, or are promoted by some construction industry bodies. So for instance there is often a contract for home builders.

The advantage of using a standard form of contract is that they’ve been tailored to specific needs of that industry, they have been drafted by experts within the industry, have been tested legally in the country, they are usually complete and fair to both parties and they’re usually readily understood by contractors.
​
Unfortunately some contractors are tempted to tinker with the contract, deleting some clauses and adding others. This could make the contract one-sided, even unworkable with contradictions and loopholes.

Some of these contracts are licensed and there’s a small fee to be paid to the originators of the document. Failing to pay this fee could make the document null and void. Many of these documents can only be used on condition that the main clauses aren’t altered. Usually these documents provide blank spaces to insert the names and addresses of the contracting parties, the contract price, start and completion dates, and project specific conditions. All pages to the contract should be signed by you and the designated representative of the contractor (usually the owner or a person appointed by the owner).

It should be noted that even when using a standard form of contract this will in most cases refer to the special conditions and the specifications pertaining to your project. But again, you should take care that the special conditions included in the contract document don’t conflict with the general conditions causing ambiguity.

Often contractors draft the contract documents. Many of these documents are flawed since they could offer you little protection, they are often one-sided giving the contractor rights to literally do as they please, they could contain contradictory clauses, or they’re incomplete and don’t include some important points.
​
If you’re prepared to accept such a contract you need to carefully check the terms to ensure that they’re agreeable to you and that you will be protected should a dispute arise. It’s always worth having a legal expert scrutinise the contract. Check the contract to ensure that all the items that you want included in the contract have been included.

There are different forms of building contract. As we've previously discussed they should include certain items. They must provide protection for both the client (you) and the contractor and they should not place excessive risks on one of the parties, particularly risk which they cannot reasonably control.

It's best to use a standard form of building contract which is applicable to the work, and one which is regularly used in building works in your country. This contract should not be altered, or have clauses modified or deleted unless the clauses really aren't applicable to your building project.

It's vital that you read through the building contract before signing it to ensure that the terms and conditions of the contract are clear and they are the terms that you agree with. The contract should clearly layout the responsibilities of the parties and how the contractor will be paid. Failing to read or understand the building contract will not be an excuse for you not being bound by the terms of the contract.

​The contract must not have ambiguous or contradictory clauses and it must be enforceable under the law of the country. A faulty building contract often leads to misunderstandings and disputes, and you may have little protection should things go wrong with your construction project.

​​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

I started this series with an article: ​Home build and renovation contracts part 1 - what you should know followed by my next article  Home build and renovation contracts part 2 - the rules of the project.  Today I discuss what should be included  in a home build or renovation contract with your contractor.

Things to include in the contract are:

• Signatures of the authorised representatives of both parties (you and the contractor). The contract could be null and void if the contractor’s secretary or supervisor has signed the contract and they don’t have the authority to sign on the contractor’s behalf.
• Drawings.
• The project schedule, or milestone dates when the project must be completed.
• The scope of work (what the contractor must do).
• General terms and conditions – including payment terms.
• The contract price – what the contractor will be paid for the work.
• Names and addresses of the contracting parties (you and the contractor).
• Project specific conditions. These could include complying with specific estate rules and requirements, or explicit requirements that you may have, such as protecting certain trees and vegetation, or limiting working hours. Remember that any additional items which you’ve forgotten and add after the contract is signed could give the contractor the right to claim a variation.
• The location of the project (physical address).
• The date when the contract comes into effect (starts).
• Defects and warranty periods. See Chapter 11.
• Definitions of terminology used.
• The obligations and responsibilities of the parties.
• Specifications applicable to the project.
• Penalties, or liquidated damages, for late completion – although few contractors will agree to this item.

• Exclusions and work to be done by others.
• Any other specific conditions which you think are pertinent.

Preferably it should also include a termination clause and a dispute resolution procedure.

It’s advisable to get an expert to check the contract before signing it. It’s important to check that the contents of the contract cover all the work the contractor was asked to price and that there aren’t additional clauses which weren’t included in the original pricing documents.

​This is an extract from 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1'  written by Paul Netscher.
Please like, share and comment.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

​People around the world recognize the benefits of rooftop gardening. The fact that there's only so much land left for people to own, while a rooftop garden also helps improve the air quality of inner cities.

Countries like France, Canada, and Switzerland have laws requiring new residential buildings have at least one green rooftop. The success of a rooftop garden lies in its incredible benefits.

Here are some of the key benefits of a rooftop garden.

 Improves Air Quality
One of the reasons that rooftop gardens are famous in modern cities are their efficiency in cleaning the air. Vehicles create several harmful pollutants and a small garden on rooftops or balconies contributes to filtering polluted particles.

Efficient disposal of biodegradable waste
People consume fruits and vegetables daily. It creates bio-waste as not all the parts of a vegetable are consumable. You can always buy fertilizers and compost for soil fertility. How about using the biodegradable waste from your kitchen? It’s a lot better way than dumping it into the dustbin.

The rooftop garden serves as an excellent way to reduce the amount of bio-waste. You need to dig around the top layer of the soil to dump all the waste products. Spread it evenly under the top layer around the plant to ensure that it gradually releases the essential nutrients in the soil.

In summer seasons, a rooftop garden requires a lot of water due to sun exposure. As you might have limited access to the water in summer, you can use bio-waste to keep the soil moist and help the loss of water as well.
​
Regulates temperature
When the roof surface exposed to direct sunlight is covered with a lush green garden, it creates heat insulation. According to a study, rooftop gardening helps to regulate the temperature of your house. As we tend to use an air conditioner in summer and spring, it also means less expense on your electricity bills.
  
Moreover, the application of the rooftop is not limited to summers only. It helps against the loss of heat in winters as well.

Rainwater Conservation

Every year, millions of gallons of rainwater go down the drain and into the ocean. Yet, for our daily water requirements, we still depend on municipal water supply. If only we could store the rainwater in the first place, we might be able to use the supply water where it's necessary.

We can save catch up to 60-80% of rainwater by creating a rooftop garden. You could even store the excess water for later use.

Increases Property values

It's no wonder why a rooftop garden increases the overall value of a house. Lack of enough land space is one of the biggest problems of urban areas in the 21st century. Rooftop gardens have revolutionized gardening, with more people demanding the luxury of greenery in their premises.

Today, a rooftop garden substantially increases the selling price of any house. In many major cities, the addition of a rooftop garden adds as much as 15-20% more value to its property value.

Roof top and balcony gardens make for an attractive place to relax and enjoy the outdoors in the middle of bustling cities.

Grow your own food
Rooftops and balconies can also be used to grow herbs, vegetables and fruit to supplement your groceries. Not only can you enjoy your own fresh produce, but you can save on your grocery bills, while reducing your carbon footprint. 

Regulates Urban Heat Island Effect 

UHI (Urban Heat and Island) effect is a term that is used to describe the increased temperature levels in an urban area. The urban areas are made up of concrete jungle. Due to the heat exposure, the concrete gets hotter, making the inside of the concrete unlivable for the people. In such a case, we end up increasing the AC and other cooling devices for comfort.

UHI can be controlled with the help of rooftop gardening. The evaporation cycle of plants helps cool down the city. As plants are covering most of the rooftop it lowers the UHI effect.

Prevents noise pollution
The insulation provided by the rooftop gardening is not limited to temperature fluctuations. A thick layer of soil combined with plants absorbs, reflects, deflect noise pollution from vehicles and other sources in a city.

If your house is near an airport or lies underneath flight paths, you might want to try rooftop gardening at your home.

Conclusion
Whether its water conservation, preventing noise pollution, or savings on electricity bills, rooftop gardening has a wide range of benefits. Moreover, it's a pure joy to see greenery around your house. It sends all the positive vibes to start your day, and there's nothing better than sipping a cup of coffee in the mornings around the greenery. 

Author Bio: Emily Bartels is a content writer at The Irrigation Shop. She enjoys writing on various topics mainly associated with Home Improvement, Gardening, Technology and Gadgets. Her famous articles are on the topic of Home Improvement , Technology and many more.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

The contract agreement is a legally binding contract which binds the parties of the agreement together, setting out their obligations and rights. Unfortunately, some agreements are one-sided which offer little protection to one of the parties or places undue risk on them. Contract agreements should be fair, assigning risks to the party that best controls them, while offering protection to both parties should the other party not fulfil their obligations. If this document is poorly worded, inconsistent, or incomplete, you may find that you have little protection should the contractor fail to deliver the project or not meet all their contractual obligations, possibly causing you additional expenses and leading to protracted legal arguments.

The contract must be appropriate for the type of work. Construction projects vary, from ones that only have one trade and are worth a few hundred dollars, to contracts to construct the complete house, which could be worth several hundred thousand dollars. Clearly the project worth a few hundred dollars shouldn’t warrant a contract document more than a few paragraphs. While the contract for a complete house is usually a more complex document.

The contract can take many forms and it may be a simple one page document, or a weighty, lengthy legal document. However, care should be taken with lengthy documents that there aren’t conflicting clauses, and that the document doesn’t contain so many specifics that by implication what’s not mentioned becomes an exclusion. The contract document normally doesn’t have to be hugely lengthy – less than a dozen pages should suffice. It’s also not necessary to be using extravagant legal language. Simple everyday language is normally sufficient. Terminologies and abbreviations used in the contract documents must be used with consistency and explained in the contract document so there’re no misunderstandings.  Contracts must avoid confusing and ambiguous language and there should be no contradictory clauses.

For a contract to exist there must be a formal offer which must be accepted in an unequivocal way.  Usually acceptance and offer are confirmed by both parties - the contractor and the owner - signing the contract.

The contract can be verbal which can be as legally binding as a written agreement, though a verbal agreement is often problematic since it’s difficult to prove what was said and agreed. Stay clear of verbal contracts and be cautious that you do not agree to something verbally. It will be your word against theirs!

Next week we discuss what should be included in the contract document.

​This is an extract from 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1'  written by Paul Netscher.
Please like, share and comment.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

​Frequently home construction projects go wrong and the contractor and the owner engage each other in lengthy and costly legal battles. These may arise because:

• There’s a poor contract in place which doesn’t adequately describe the scope of the work and the contractor’s and owner’s (your) obligations. Or, the contract is flawed with loop-holes and contradictory clauses.
• You don’t understand the contract fully, including your rights and obligations in terms of the contract.
• The contractor doesn’t understand the contract.
• One, or both parties doesn’t act in good faith, or in terms of the contract.
• There’s a lack of communication between the parties.
• One of the parties is obstinate, or doesn’t want to admit they’re wrong.

​It’s essential that:

• You understand that changes, delays and instructions caused by you, or those acting on your behalf, can have a profound impact on the project giving rise to delays and variations. Even the simplest change could have a knock-on impact on other activities which you haven’t considered or aren’t aware of.
• Your expectations should be clear, consistent and achievable from the start of the project.
• You know that failure to understand the contract, or assumptions made incorrectly, is no excuse for non-compliance of the obligations and terms of the contract.
• You understand that the contract is the law on the construction project, and all actions are judged using this document. It’s not about who will be nice, who will forgive, rather it’s about complying with the terms of the contract. The fact that the contractor has a legitimate variation claim should be no reason to argue that they’re being unfair, or to assume that they’re crooks only out to steal money from you.
• All parties continually communicate with each other, immediately notifying the other party of concerns, changes and possible impacts on the project.
• You understand that even if the contractor hasn’t said that there will be an extra cost, that this doesn’t mean there won’t be a claim from them later.
• When in doubt you ask for expert advice. 

​This is an extract from 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1' from the chapter 'Understanding Building Processes' written by Paul Netscher.
Please like, share and comment.

Plumbing and electrical installations have to be coordinated with the other trades and contractors, and it usually requires a number of visits from plumbers and electricians. So for instance, these installations could include:

• Before casting the ground floor slab plumbers would have to install pipes under and in the floor slab. Electricians would have to install wires or cable ducts under and in the floor slab.

​It can be seen that plumbers and electricians may have to return to the project four or more times, and air-conditioning contractors usually two or three times. It’s important to check that all electrical wires and ducts and all plumbing pipes have been installed correctly, at the right location, with no visible leaks and faults, before:

• Concrete is poured.
• Framed walls are closed.
• Waterproofing is applied in bathrooms.
• Brick and block walls are rendered.
• Tiles are installed.
• Ceilings are installed.

​But even these trades must be coordinated between them. Plumbing waste and sewer pipes have to be installed at the exact locations and levels. They usually have little room to change so they should be installed first. Air-conditioning ducting is usually premade in sections, unless it’s flexible ducting installed for smaller airflow or at the ends of the main ducts. So non-flexible air-conditioning ducts should be installed next. Water pipes can go up or down and there’s some flexibility in location so they’re installed next. Electrical wiring has the most flexibility, so can be installed last. However, having said this, it’s important to note that pipes and ducts can’t obstruct where lights, switches and outlets must go.
​
This is an extract from 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1' from the chapter 'Understanding Building Processes' written by Paul Netscher.
Please like, share and comment.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

Hire a reputable contractor
The first step to protect your home during a renovation project is to hire a reputable company for the project. You need to do your research to find reliable and trusted contractors for your renovation project. A company with professionals who can take care of the safety of your home and your stuff while undertaking the tasks involved in remodeling.
​
It might take some time to find the right company, but the time you spend will be worth it. You can ask your friends, colleagues, and neighbours to recommend a reputed remodeling company. Another option is to research online to find the top-rated companies offering services in your area.​

Maintain the external security
Although the internal things in your home can be a complete mess during the project, you need to upgrade and maintain the external security measures. You can install additional security cameras, hire a security person, and check that outside fences and gates are secure. If your outdoors are secure, it means the indoors are also secure to some extent.

Store your valuables
Holes in walls and open doors can lead to theft of your valuables. However, there are some options that you can use to secure your valuables. You can use a safe to put your valuables and place them at a secure place in your house. Another way to store and secure your valuables is to put them in a locker at your bank. If you have plenty of valuables that cannot be stored in a safe or locker, you should consider renting another house to store the valuables. However, you should also install security devices and use additional measures to keep the safe secure in the rented house.

Remove stuff from rooms
If you are planning a major renovation, you should shift all your stuff to a rented house or put it in storage. However, if you are going to renovate only some areas, you should shift the stuff to other areas or rooms. Removing things makes it easy for the contractor to work, and also protects the items from potential damage.
​
Educate your children
Kids and pets are prone to get harmed during a renovation. Therefore, it is essential to educate the children about safety measures. Tell your children to stay away from the dangerous objects, sharp tools, and electrical tools of the workers.

Also, tell them to stay away from paints, and chemicals used by workers in the process. Once your kids know about the precautions they need to take, also educate them on keeping the pets safe from harm during the renovation.

Pets have the habit of roaming around the entire house. They are prone to harm while walking around sharp and dangerous tools. Therefore, it is best to restrict them in safe areas or your backyard during the remodeling project.

Monitor the access to your home
Even if you have hired a reputable renovation company you still should be careful. You should monitor the access to your home and ensure only trusted people have access to your home and that doors are secured when the contractor leaves the site. Communicate the same to the workers of the renovation company. 

You can install the home security systems that are a set of various devices like cameras, alarms, and motion sensors that monitor your home. Also, these systems have apps that you can install on your phone and receive alerts.

​Watch the project with cameras
Adding cameras to your work-site provides a variety of different ways to protect your property. For example, you'll have on-site videos of anything that happens. Security cameras usually store the video recordings for a few weeks. If something goes missing, you can search he video to see see what happened.

The presence of cameras is also a deterrent. You can also watch the video your cameras capture in real-time through a surveillance system. In addition to the obvious deterrent created by surveillance, the ability to view live and captured videos makes installing cameras to view your home during renovations a powerful safety measure.

​These were some tips to keep a home safe and secure in a remodeling project. The key to secure a home during any such project is to hire a trustworthy renovation service with positive customer feedback. Therefore, it is best to check the reviews and feedback before hiring a contractor for your home renovation project. The installation of security devices like cameras and home security systems will be like icing on the cake.