How to Prepare for a Home Remodeling Project in Jacksonville, FL

By L. Benedict – Licensed Contractor, State of Florida

What’s up, Jacksonville! If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or even your whole home, this one’s for you. I’m L. Bennett, a licensed contractor based right here in Florida, and today I want to share some tried-and-true tips for preparing your home before you dive into a renovation.

Whether you're in Riverside, Mandarin, or the Beaches, these tips are all about helping your remodel go smoother, safer, and (hopefully) a little less stressful. I've been around construction my whole life—from flipping houses with my family to working with clients across the First Coast—so trust me when I say: preparation is everything.

Let’s break it down into five key tips:

1. Plan a Temporary Setup (Especially for Kitchens and Bathrooms)

If you’re remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, you’ll need to figure out how to live without those spaces for a while. Most of us don’t have two kitchens or extra bathrooms just lying around—so think ahead.

Kitchen solution? Set up a temporary kitchen outdoors or in a spare room. Use a hot plate, air fryer, or grill, and hook up a simple sink using a garden hose. Let it drain into a bucket or even the grass—whatever works. That way, you’re not trying to wash dishes in a cramped bathroom.

Bathroom tip: If your only bathroom is under construction, you might want to rent a portable one or work with your contractor to schedule breaks so at least one is functional during most of the project.

2. Get Your Stuff Out of the Way

Renting a storage unit or a POD can seriously speed up your remodel. Why? Less clutter = faster work. Plus, it protects your furniture and valuables from dust, dings, or accidents.

Pro tip: Most contractors will charge you extra if they have to move your furniture from room to room. Save that money and move it once into a storage space or temporary shed.

In Jacksonville, there are plenty of local storage options—from Arlington to Orange Park—so look for one close to your home to make things easier.

3. Protect What’s Left Behind

Even if you move out some stuff, don’t forget to protect the areas not being remodeled. Dust travels, things fall, and accidents happen.

We use a product called ZipWall, which creates a plastic barrier with a zipper in the middle. It's perfect for sealing off construction zones from the rest of your home. Lay down paper or plastic over flooring, cover vents, and tape off doorways. It’s a small investment that saves big headaches later.

4. Make Your Material Selections Before the Demo

Want to avoid delays? This is a big one.

Sit down with your contractor and pick out your finishes—tile, countertops, fixtures, everything—before the demo even starts. I’ve seen too many projects stall because a sink or cabinet was on backorder. During COVID, we saw delays of months just waiting on materials. Don’t let that happen to you.

Having everything on-site before the first hammer swings keeps the project moving like clockwork.

5. Be Patient—Remodeling Is Tough

Let me be real for a second: remodeling is not easy.

You’ve got strangers in your house, noise, dust, and a whole lot of inconvenience. Whether it’s a two-week job or a two-month overhaul, there will be moments when you’re over it. That’s normal. But I promise—it’s worth it.

Take a deep breath, keep the end result in mind, and trust the process. In the end, that brand-new bathroom or dream kitchen is going to serve you and your family for years to come.

Final Thoughts from Your Local Jacksonville Contractor

Remodeling your home can be one of the best investments you make—but only if you plan it right. Preparation is everything. These five steps are based on real experience—both from my own family’s flips and from hundreds of clients across Northeast Florida.

If you have any questions or you're looking for remodeling help in Jacksonville, drop a comment, shoot me a message, or hit that subscribe button if you’re on my YouTube channel. I'm here to help you make your remodel a success.

Thanks for reading—see you on the next project!

– L. Benedict, Licensed Florida Contractor

https://www.floridaresidentialcontractors.com/