Renovations are loud, messy, and very distracting. Working amidst a renovation is not conducive to a productive working environment. If renovations are happening near your remote workstation, it’s a good idea to set up a temporary desk in another area of your house. For example, if your kitchen is being renovated and you typically work in the adjoining living room, try setting up a temporary desk in your bedroom upstairs. This way, you are separated from the noise and the mess, and you are more likely to be productive as there are less distractions. However, it is important to make sure that your temporary workstation is as ergonomically friendly as possible. You still need to be in a well-lit room, at a desk where you are positioned in a way that won’t harm your body. This means that no – it is not a great idea to work in your cozy bed, as tempting as that may be!
It seems like lockdown has inspired everybody to renovate their house this spring. This means the cost of lumber has gone up astronomically, and many people are needing to figure out how to work from home while surviving a renovation at the same time. Let’s talk about some tips for working from home while renovating!
Set Up a Temporary Workstation
Schedule Meetings & Phone Calls around the Renovations
As mentioned in the last tip, renovations are disruptive. If you know that your contractors are going to be working from lunch time onwards, try to schedule all your calls in the morning. You may be interrupted by the construction noise or cuts to your internet. Contractors might pull you away for a moment to ask a question, or even to get you to pull your car out of the driveway so they can use your spot. If you know the contractors are going to be in your house, it’s best to avoid meetings and calls so your co-workers aren’t feeling those interruptions as well.
Plan Your Work Hours Around the Renovations
This tip isn’t necessarily helpful for everyone, so be sure to discuss it with your manager before making any changes. If you are allowed to be flexible with your work hours (for example, you can work 7am – 12pm, and then 5pm-7pm instead of 9am-5pm), it might be helpful to do so. Be sure to tell your managers and colleagues if there are certain hours of the day you might not be available, so you are all on the same page.
Keep Your Workstation and Equipment Protected
If possible, remove your workstation and equipment completely from your renovation area. If this is not possible (for example, your kitchen is being renovated right beside your living room, where your heavy work desktop is set up), be sure to keep it covered with a sheet to protect it from dust or other debris. No matter what level of renovation you are doing, there is always bound to be dust and debris that could cause damage to your stuff. Unless you’re using it, keep it covered!
Remember, as stressful as renovations can be, they are only temporary! If you find yourself in a situation where you are working from home during construction, following these tips will hopefully make your life a little bit easier.
