How do I protect my belongings during renovations?

Protecting your belongings during renovations requires strategic planning and physical barriers to prevent dust, debris, and accidental damage from reaching your valuables. The key is creating multiple layers of protection and removing the most important items entirely.

Start by removing everything you can from the renovation area and adjacent rooms. Even if contractors promise to be careful, construction dust travels much further than expected, and accidents happen. Pack away electronics, artwork, family photos, and anything irreplaceable. For items you can't move, like built-in furniture or large appliances, wrap them in plastic sheeting and secure with painter's tape.

Create physical barriers using heavy-duty plastic sheeting (6-mil thickness minimum) to seal off the work area from the rest of your home. Toronto contractors often use ZipWall barrier systems or similar products that create dust-tight seals. Pay special attention to HVAC returns and vents - tape them off completely or your furnace will circulate dust throughout the entire house. For major renovations, consider having your ductwork professionally cleaned afterward.

For valuable items staying in the home, rent a storage unit or designate one room as a "safe room" with proper sealing. Many Toronto homeowners use their master bedroom or finished basement as a temporary storage area, sealing it off with plastic barriers. Climate-controlled storage units in the GTA typically cost $100-300 monthly and provide peace of mind for antiques, electronics, and important documents.

Protect your floors and surfaces even in non-renovation areas. Contractors should lay protective paper or plastic runners, but verify this is happening. Hardwood floors are particularly vulnerable to scratches from tools and debris tracked through the house. In Toronto's older homes with original hardwood, refinishing damaged floors can cost $3-8 per square foot.

Document everything with photos before work begins. Take detailed pictures of your belongings, room conditions, and any existing damage. This protects you if insurance claims become necessary. Store these photos digitally in cloud storage, not just on your phone.

Professional contractors should include protection measures in their quote and carry liability insurance. Ask specifically about their cleanup procedures and whether daily cleanup is included. Reputable Toronto contractors will respect your belongings and often suggest additional protection measures based on your specific situation.

Next steps: Walk through your home room by room, categorizing items as "must remove," "can protect in place," or "not concerned." Get multiple quotes that specifically address protection measures, and don't choose contractors who seem dismissive of your concerns about protecting belongings.