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Kevin Ahern

By: Kevin Ahern on April 22nd, 2020

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Maintain a Clean Workspace During a Renovation or Remodel [Tips]

Commercial | Residential | Industry Knowledge

Renovations can be disruptive to everyday routines, whether they're being done to a commercial building or a home. Maintaining a clean workspace while work is underway can reduce the renovation's impact so life can continue more normally.

One of the roles of the contractor during a remodel or renovation is to maintain a clean workspace while the work is being done. There are many things contractors can do to make a difference in this way. If you're a contractor, whether you're an experienced professional or new to the industry, maintaining a clean workspace should be a standard part of any job. If you're a homeowner or a building owner, look for a contractor with good workspace management habits.  

Litchfield Builders has been in business for over 20 years. As one of the leaders in Connecticut's construction industry, we publish information for homeowners and contractors throughout the state.

In this article, we will cover why maintaining a clean workspace is important as well as some of the best practices for doing so. 

Why Maintain a Clean Workspace? 

Clients expect contractors to maintain an orderly workplace for many reasons.

  • Safety. A disorganized workspace with cords, tools, and dust in the air can be a hazard for children and adults on-site while the work is taking place.
  • Organization. Mess leads to disorganization, which can slow the contractor and thus the progress of the job.  
  • Aesthetics. No client wants to see an ongoing mess in their home or commercial space.

How to Maintain a Clean Workspace: Tips for Contractors

Every contractor will take a slightly different approach to maintain a clean workspace, and every job is unique. Although there is variation in cleaning routines from one project to the next, here's what we typically do for our clients: 

Make a Tailored Clean-Up Plan

Some clients need a clean-up plan specifically designed to ensure safety while renovations are taking place. We make tailored cleanup plans for clients who could be put at risk when power tools and construction materials are left in the open. These plans are also helpful on commercial sites where customers may be in the area during business hours. 

A tailored cleanup plan takes into account the type of tools being used, the size of the space, how accessible space is and other factors. To make the plan, we assign clean up roles to whoever will be on-site at the end of the day, and determine in advance which tools and materials cannot be left out from one day to the next. To make the plan, we ask questions such as:

  • Are children present? How old are the children?
  • Are there any pets on-site?
  • How accessible is the construction zone?
  • Does anyone on site have disabilities?
  • What tools and materials will be used in the project?
  • What is being done to prevent residents or tenants in the building from accessing the job site? 

Get a Job Box if Necessary

A construction job box is a locked box where construction tools can be locked away at the end of the day. Job boxes are durable, water-tight, lockable and secure. They're an excellent option when leaving tools on-site in a building or home where someone could be put at risk by the mess. Job boxes also enhance security by keeping expensive tools out of the site after hours.

On a larger job, we might rent a storage container to lock up tools. Storage containers are weatherproof and can keep tools safe in outdoor construction zones.  

Use a Negative Air Machine

Indoor air quality can suffer during a home remodel or renovation. Disturbing drywall, paint, flooring and other materials can kick up dust and cause hazardous particles like silica to become airborne in the home.  

A negative air machine is a device that can be used to remove particles like dust, dirt, debris, toxic gasses and other particles. These machines work by putting negative pressure on the home, creating a vacuum effect. Using the negative air machine, dusty air from the addition is sucked out and away through the worksite, rather than through the inhabited parts of the home. This reduces construction-related dust and prevents other parts of the home from getting dirty, while at the same time protecting the people who live in the home. 

Sweep and Vacuum

One of the simplest ways to keep a job site clean is by sweeping and vacuuming at the end of the day. Assigning this task to one person ensures that the work will be done consistently and reliably. Sweeping is especially important near entrances and exits leading to other parts of the house or building, to prevent the dust from being spread to cleaner parts of the structure.  

Work with an Expert 

What does your construction company do to ensure that each job site is clean? We'd like to hear about what you do to control the mess, keep customers happy and prevent the spread of dust and toxic fumes.  

Litchfield Builders is one of the leading commercial and residential construction companies in Connecticut. We perform renovations for commercial structures and residences all over the state. Over the years, we've learned a lot about maintaining a clean job site and managing customer relationships during remodels and renovations. If you're a contractor seeking more ideas about job site and client management, subscribe to our blog.


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About Kevin Ahern

Kevin is the Co-Founder of Litchfield Builders, an award-winning, industry leader with a reputation for managing projects others shy away from. They are known for their high-quality work, customer service, and reliability and though still relatively small in size, Litchfield Builders now competes with some of the areas largest firms in both the residential and commercial arenas.