1. Since the average complete kitchen renovation takes about 3 to 4 months, we often advise our clients to set up a temporary kitchen somewhere in their house to use while the main kitchen is torn apart.  For example, you can take your refrigerator and free-standing range down to your basement and set up a mock kitchen there.
   
2. Use your outdoor grille up to prepare dinner meals to save on the expense of eating out.
   
3. Collect coupons—you may be eating out or ordering in a lot.
   
4. You may want to plan your renovation for when the kids are back in school, so that you don’t have to worry about them getting into the “construction zone.”
   
5. You may want to curtail social gatherings at your home for a while.
   
6. If you’re renovating a master suite, you may want to take your favorite mattress or bed into the guest room to sleep in while the suite is being worked on.
   
7. If you have a security system, check to see if it has a one-time-entry feature.  Once you trust your design/build professional, you can give him/her a pass-code.
   
8. Try to find a space planning professional who will help you get multiple tasks done at the same time—for example, one who will arrange to have deliveries made while their sub-contractors are at your home working, to save you the time and trouble. Not only did Interior Dimensions, Inc. do an outstanding job with the renovation but I was blown away when you guys actually helped us empty out and box up the things in our old kitchen cabinets!  That was service above and beyond what I expected.”  — Miriam W., Harrisburg, PA.
9. Avoid anyone who won’t give you some kind of personalized initial interview.  (When we do our Complimentary Design Consultations, we make certain to address each homeowner’s unique problems and frustrations.  We don’t just do a generic, one-size-fits-all type of consultation.)

Window replacement and siding replacement: 
Although we don’t do this unless it is part of a major interior renovation, we wanted to bring it up to you to consider.  Check out the Home Builders Association of Greater Harrisburg (HBA) directory to find someone to help you with these types of projects.