You’ve finally selected the style, material, brand, and contractor for your upcoming window or door replacement. It’s safe to say the most challenging part of your installation is done!
However, before handing over the keys to your contractor, it’s crucial to prepare your home for your upcoming installation to ensure the process goes smoothly. This will allow you to enjoy your new doors and windows as soon as possible.
Start working through this list of items to prepare for your installation a few weeks before the installation team arrives, so you can guarantee everything goes off without a hitch.
Ways to Prepare Your Home for Your Upcoming Door or Window Installation
Before sitting back, relaxing, and watching the installation team transform your home with new doors and windows, we highly recommend completing the following list of to-do tasks. These preparation items will protect valuable possessions in your home and make the installation process as easy as possible for you and your contractor.
Deactivate Alarm Systems
Before the installation team arrives, don’t forget to contact your home security company and ask them to deactivate your alarm system temporarily. You may need to schedule a time for the security company to come to your home to disconnect your alarms and another time for them to reconnect them after your window or door installation is complete.
Even if you turn your alarms off, they may still be triggered when your contractor removes your existing windows and doors. It’s wise to turn off your alarms completely to ensure you don’t disrupt the entire neighborhood during your replacement.
Clear the Workspace
Delicate items, like pictures or artwork hanging on the walls, can be disrupted during your installation, so it’s wise to move them to another room. Computers, television screens, or other items you can’t move should be covered with a cloth.
If you have any window coverings, like blinds, shutters, shades, or curtains that you’re planning to use with your new windows, they should also be removed and relocated with your fragile items until the installation is complete.
Cover Your Furniture
First, move any furniture near your doors or windows at least six feet away to give the installation team plenty of space to work.
It’s also wise to cover furniture that can’t be quickly cleaned, like your sofa, with blankets or sheets to guard against the dust created by the installation process. Your contractor will also lay down cloths and tarps where they’ll be working to protect your flooring. However, if there’s a specific area you’d like to be covered, it’s wise to talk to your contractor before the project begins to ensure they take extra care in that location.
Trim Overgrown Plants
If you have any overgrown trees, bushes, shrubs, or other plants near your windows or doors, it’s helpful to trim them before the installation team arrives.
Depending on the type of windows and doors you have, your contractor will need at least two feet of clearance, if not more, to work comfortably. Talk with your contractor about additional space needs before moving delicate plants.
Create a Workspace
Your installation team will need a space to set up their equipment once they arrive. Typically, your driveway is the best area to do this, but if it’s expected to rain, it may be a nice gesture to offer your garage as a workstation.
On the morning of your project, move any vehicles you’ll need from your garage or driveway to the street for easy access throughout the day.
What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do During the Replacement Process
Once you walk through the entire process with your installer to ensure you’re on the same page about materials, location, and expectations, you and your family can leave until the installation process is complete. Just make sure to exchange phone numbers with the crew so they can reach you if they have any questions during the project.
However, if you do stick around during the installation process, please be mindful of the following:
- Supervise children and pets—Keep pets and young children away from the work area during the installation. They can unintentionally become a safety hazard for the installation team and can be injured by the equipment used for the installation.
- Expect noise and dust— Window and door replacement is loud, so don’t plan on working from home during your installation. And even though the crew will clean up after themselves and haul away job-related debris, you should plan to clean again to ensure small items, like nails, weren’t overlooked.
- Inspect the completed work— Before your contractor leaves, inspect the finished product(s) to ensure you’re delighted with your new windows and doors!
Replace Your Windows and Doors with a Local Cary & Raleigh Contractor
If you’re still deciding on a trusted local contractor to complete your window or door installation, we’d love to walk through the process with you.
Kelly Window & Door offers stylish, energy-efficient doors and windows in a wide variety of styles to help you find the perfect match for your home. Before installation, we explain the entire process and answer all your questions to ensure you’re confident in your new investment!
Learn more about our window installation services and door installation services to see why thousands of homeowners across the Cary & Raleigh area, have trusted us for their installations!