Consistent and open communication between you and your remodeler will not only improve your understanding of the project, but also provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, and ultimately help make the experience a positive one.

To facilitate this process, you need to:

• Determine who you and your remodeler should contact for daily decisions or an after-hours emergency.
• Designate a backup for each contact person to assure continuity in anyone's absence.
• Create a place in your house where the contact persons can leave messages for each other
• Speak up. If you are uncertain about any aspect of the project, be sure to let the contact person know.

One way to ensure the success of your project is to plan for and actively participate in a pre-construction meeting. This allows your remodeler to clarify procedures and explain how the job will progress. It also offers both you and your remodeler an opportunity to prepare for those issues that may arise later. You should think of this meeting as a forum for all participants to define their expectations and agree on the anticipated outcome.

Some of the issues to consider covering in the meeting include:

• Will you allow your remodeler to place a company sign on your property? Remember that, in addition to being a marketing tool, signs help contractors and suppliers locate your home.
• What areas of your home will be off limits to workers?
• Does your house have an alarm system? Will workers need a key or will someone always be there?
• How will you ensure that your children and pets stay out of the workspace?
• How will trash removal be handled? Where will the remodeler locate the dumpster on your property?
• Does the remodeler anticipate any interruptions of utilities during the project? If so, when and for how long? At certain stages of construction, the project may affect basic household necessities like water and electricity. Will you need to vacate the house at any time?
• What are your expectations regarding clean up? Will sweeping be sufficient for a daily cleaning, or will you need a more thorough cleaning in order to use the space?

Additionally, you should use the pre-construction meeting to establish guidelines for the remodeling crew working on the project. Consider talking with your remodeler about the following:

What times will workers begin and end work at your home? Be sure to consider the neighbors as well as household members.

• Where can workers park near the jobsite?
• Will you allow workers to use your telephone for local business calls?
• Will bathroom facilities in your home be available to workers?
• What is the remodeler's policy on smoking on the jobsite?
• What is the remodeler's policy on the use of profanity? If you are especially sensitive to this issue, you should let your remodeler know.
• Will you allow workers to play their radios at a reasonable volume, and are there any stations or programs that you do not want played?

Keep in mind that the atmosphere of a remodeling project can lead to "remodeling fever." You may feel a loss of control due to your disrupted routines and personal space. The best way to prevent this fever is to be well prepared, remember that "this too shall pass" and focus on the progress being made.

Before you begin the process, prepare for inconvenience. A remodeling project can turn your home and, on some days, your life upside down. A kitchen remodel will affect meal planning. With a little ingenuity though, the impact can be lessened. Set up a temporary cooking quarters by moving the refrigerator, toaster oven and microwave to another room. Arrange a dishwashing station in your laundry room.

Designate a safe haven in your home where you can escape from the chaos and commotion. Since dust has the unfortunate tendency to appear everywhere from lampshades to plates stacked inside your kitchen cabinets, seal off doorways and stairs; turn off central air or heat when workers are sanding and stock up on extra filters.

Finally, maintain a sense of humor. Remember that certain things are out of your control and it's best to laugh rather than upset yourself about things like the weather or delayed delivery of materials. The end result will be well worth the wait!