Sara from Sara Jane Organizing received a call from a friend, an interior designer, who was planning a major home renovation for Leanne and John. A lot was invested in this project, which involved nearly a year of planning a new kitchen, primary bedroom, bathroom, closet, and an addition for a garage, pool house, and workshop/studio. The interior designer wanted to ensure Leanne and John received the best support during the renovation and all the associated changes.
Sara was brought in to assist with decluttering, planning systems in some of the new spaces, as well as packing, moving, and unpacking all the areas that would be affected by the renovation. Proper planning is crucial to ensure the client has a low-stress experience. Sara’s skills in organization, planning complex schedules and tasks, project managing teams, and managing emotions and stress make her a perfect fit to handle such a large project.
The Assessment
Sara met with the interior designer, closet builder, and Leanne and John to tour the home. During this visit, Sara identified items that needed packing, how different areas would be utilized during the renovations, and the client’s concerns. Many clients overlook important factors during significant renovations. For example, will it be necessary to move to a temporary home while renovations are underway? Will we need to pack items for storage outside the home, or can they remain stored inside? If they stay in the home, where will they be stored? How long will the renovations take, and which seasonal clothing will be needed during that time? By addressing these questions and more, Sara can plan organizing sessions, obtain the appropriate supplies, and schedule her organizing team, as well as the haulers and movers.
Before Renovations
Several sessions were scheduled over time to address different areas. In this case, four storage units needed to be cleaned out to make room for furniture and boxes that needed to be stored during the renovation. Sara was able to guide Leanne and John through making decisions so that two storage units could be emptied. One unit would be used to store furniture and boxes during the renovation, with the expectation that the storage unit would no longer be needed once the renovations are complete.
A renovation creates a great opportunity to declutter and consider the functionality of a new space. In the early sessions, we sorted through belongings and removed unnecessary items. This way, once the renovations are complete, Leanne and John are sure they will have only the items they love and use. This will enhance the overall results of the renovation.
Additional sessions were booked to focus on the primary bedroom. Furniture needed to be moved to storage, which required emptying drawers and shelves. Since the closet adjacent to the primary bedroom was also being renovated, we had to pack clothing, accessories, shoes, and more. We stored these items in the guest rooms, taking care to consider what Leanne and John would need during the season while renovations were taking place.
With the kitchen undergoing renovation, we packed everything. Non-essential items were packed first, while daily essentials were left until the last day before moving to the rental. We also packed the adjacent laundry room and pantry. Discarding expired food and storing consumables in a way that made them easily accessible during the renovation.
After Renovations
Once the renovations are complete, we will return to unpack all the items we previously packed. The primary closet will feature many storage drawers, shelves, and cubbies. Sara Jane Organizing and her team will handle the unpacking, organizing, and implementation of the systems we planned previously.
In the kitchen, we will unpack and put away all dishes, pots, pans, mugs, glassware, entertaining ware, and more. The pantry will also be unpacked and organized, as will the laundry room.
Once the pool house is finished, we will unpack additional kitchen goods, barware, and bathroom items designated for that space. Sara Jane Organizing will also set up the workshop and studio, organizing all items currently stored at an off-site location. Supplies will no longer be stacked in bins; instead, they will be organized in designated drawers and on shelves. This will make everything easily accessible, transforming the workshop into a desirable place to spread out and create.
As you can see, this project was large and involved many moving parts. Several sessions were necessary, along with a team of many members, to successfully complete the renovation with minimal stress. Sara has been managing large projects like this for nearly 20 years. Every renovation is unique and presents its own challenges. Sara is knowledgeable about how to collaborate with interior designers, contractors, haulers, movers, and everyone involved. She is an experienced project manager who also understands how emotions can influence high-stress situations. If you are planning a large renovation, Sara is a valuable asset to have on your team.
Have a renovation coming up? Contact Sara Jane Organizing and find out how Sara can assist you. Set up a FREE phone consultation now!
