Home Building and Construction in the Age of COVID-19
The New Normal at Hebert Design Build
There’s no doubt that social distancing and stay at home orders left a lot of us focused on potential home improvements (if you don’t believe us, just look at the lines at Home Depot). While some people are tackling their “honey-do” lists on their own, there are many who require professional help—and those people have questions about embarking on (or completing) construction projects in this day and age. And rightfully so! A lot has changed and left us questioning what was once second nature, so we’re here to help you understand how building and construction has adapted so you can still get your home projects done.
In our last blog, we shed some light on why the construction industry in Rhode Island kept working as other businesses were deemed “nonessential” and how we have been keeping safe on the job. Now, as governments across the country ease restrictions, businesses that were closed slowly reopen and we all get used to a new phase of the corona virus crisis, we thought we would share our “new normal” with you.
It’s Business (Not Quite) As Usual
The biggest change, as it has been for everyone, is adapting to social distancing measures. For us, first and foremost, this meant changing the format of our client meetings. Because we strive to make things as easy as possible for our clients, and different clients have different preferences and needs, we’ve stayed flexible with our meeting structure. We meet with our clients however works best for them, from using FaceTime and Zoom, to simple phone calls.
While the technology of video conferencing has been extremely helpful in giving those virtual meetings a quasi-face-to-face feel, there are some things that video just can’t do. When it comes to estimating a new project or creating a specific design, sometimes the space just needs to be seen in person. In such cases, we wear face masks, maintain appropriate distance and follow any other precautions that the client may request.
Once the space has been evaluated, consultations and design work happen remotely. We will send clients PDF files of their design and walk them through it over the phone. On the rarer occasions when a client needs to meet us at the shop, we meet in the cabinet shop instead of the office so we can keep 6 feet apart. When it comes time for a client to choose certain materials, we provide a list of options to consider. To limit the number of people there at a given time, showrooms now only allow people in by appointment, so clients call and schedule a time to view their options.
How the Construction Process has Changed
Because we already take many precautions and follow guidelines for jobsite safety, not too much has changed with the new measures for COVID-19. We discussed some of the additional safety measures in our last blog (limiting the number of crew on the jobsite at one time, requiring crew members to wear masks and ensuring we have a handwashing station at every jobsite). But there have been a few adjustments in our construction approach to ensure we put our client’s and crew’s safety at the forefront. We do as much work as possible from the outside of the house to limit the time our crew spends in the client’s home. When we must do work inside the home, we seal off interior access to the construction space with plastic sheeting, which essentially creates an enclosed walkway that prevents exposure to the rest of the house. As a lead safe certified firm, we are accustomed to following thorough safety and cleanliness procedures, such as using HEPA filters to trap dust and particulates in the air. These measures now help towards maximizing precautions against COVID-19.
When in Doubt, Stay Outside: Exterior Home Projects
While we are continuing with all our work and have maintained capacity for all projects—from bathroom and kitchen renovations to new home construction—there has been an influx in exterior projects. Most likely due to a combination of social distancing and the warmer weather, we have several clients looking to improve their outdoor spaces, such as new patios, terraces and outdoor kitchen and dining areas. Now is a great time to focus on your home’s exterior. Whether it’s a roofing project, giving your house new siding or adding new deck, you can get the work done without any stress of having workers inside your home.
If you have any questions or would like more information on our current work process, don’t hesitate to contact us today!