Before Repair Day: What Homeowners Should Move

Before foundation repair begins, clear anything sitting along the walls and yard areas where the crew will dig or open the floor, move vehicles out of the work path, and plan where pets will spend the day. Small breakables, wall hangings and anything you care about near the work zones should be packed away by you, while large items are a conversation to have with your contractor ahead of time.

That is the short version. The rest of this checklist walks through the house one zone at a time, because prep looks very different when the work is outside the slab versus inside the living space.

Pull out your written scope and the drawing that shows where each pier or support point goes. That sketch is your prep map. A plan that keeps all the work outside the perimeter means your attention belongs in the yard. A plan with interior locations means specific rooms need to be emptied, or at least partly cleared.

If the drawing is hard to read, ask the office to mark the exact spots on a printout. You want to know which walls, which rooms and which side yards are involved before you start dragging anything around. Knowing the repair method helps too. The foundation repair services page lists the approaches BMB uses on slab homes, and pier-and-beam houses follow a different access pattern through the crawl space, covered on the pier and beam repair page.

Inside the House, Room by Room

Rooms with interior access points

When a pier location falls inside, the crew needs open floor around that spot plus a clear path from the nearest exterior door. Treat that room like you are about to repaint it, then go a step further.

• Pull rugs, furniture and floor lamps well away from the marked location.
• Box up items on nearby shelves, bookcases and dressers, since vibration can walk loose objects off a ledge.
• Take down framed photos, mirrors and decor on the walls closest to the work.
• Empty the closet if the access point is inside it or right against it.
• Clear the hallway route so materials and equipment can move in and out without squeezing past your belongings.

Rooms along exterior work walls

Even when every pier is outside, the walls on that side of the house can see some movement while the structure is being lifted or supported. Glass cabinets, china hutches, wall-mounted TVs and shelves full of collectibles deserve attention. Pull fragile pieces off those walls and set them in a room on the opposite side of the home.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Countertop appliances near a work wall can be pushed back from the edge. Open shelving with dishes is worth emptying into a box for a few days. If a pier location sits close to a bathroom, make sure toiletries and glass bottles are not perched on a narrow ledge.

The Yard, Driveway and Garage

Exterior pier work starts with excavation at each marked location, so the strip of ground hugging the foundation needs to be accessible. Walk the perimeter with your plan in hand and look for anything in the way.

1. Potted plants and yard decor. Move containers, statues, birdbaths and garden edging away from the slab.
2. Outdoor furniture and grills. Relocate them to the far side of the yard or into the garage.
3. Hoses and reels. Roll them up and set them out of the dig zone.
4. Trash and recycling bins. Park them somewhere that will not block a side gate.
5. Gate access. Unlock side gates, and if a gate is narrow, mention it so the crew can plan how materials get through.
6. Vehicles. Pull cars out of the driveway before the crew arrives and park on the street or a neighbor's driveway with permission. A truck delivering materials or hauling spoil needs room.

If your garage shares a wall with a work location, clear shelving and stored items from that wall as well. Garage storage tends to be stacked high, and that is exactly the kind of pile that should not stay put during structural work.

Pets, Valuables and Who Moves the Heavy Stuff

Pets

Dogs and cats do not do well with open holes, unfamiliar trucks and gates that keep opening. Plan to keep pets in a closed room away from the work, at a friend's house, or at a boarding facility for the busiest days. Pick up any dog waste in the yard so the crew is not working around it, and tell the office if you have a dog that may bark or charge a fence.

Valuables and sentimental items

Jewelry, cash, firearms, important papers and heirlooms should be secured before anyone outside the family is in the home. This is ordinary good practice with any contractor. Put these in a locked space or remove them entirely, especially if they are stored in a room or closet near an interior access point.

Heavy furniture and appliances

Pianos, gun safes, large entertainment centers and full bookcases are not things to wrestle into the hallway alone. Ask in advance whether moving these is part of the scope or whether you should arrange movers. Get the answer in writing so nobody is surprised on day one. If an item truly cannot move, the crew may be able to work around it, but that has to be planned, not improvised.

The Day-Before Confirmation Call

A short call the afternoon before saves a lot of confusion. Use it to check a handful of details:

• The arrival window and roughly how many people and trucks to expect.
• Whether anyone needs to be home to let the crew in, and which door they should use.
• Whether utilities, water or the HVAC system will be touched at any point.
• Where materials will be staged and where excavated soil will sit.
• Who your point of contact is on site.

It also helps to know what the wrap-up looks like before work starts, so you understand what cleanup and final steps are expected. BMB outlines that on its completion details page. Homeowners new to the process can also browse the residential services overview for a sense of the broader work the team handles.

Quick Answers About Repair Day Prep

Do I have to empty the whole room for one interior pier?

Usually not the entire room, but the area around the marked spot and the path to it must be completely open. Ask how much clearance the crew needs for your specific location.

Should I cover furniture that stays in the house?

Yes. Old sheets or plastic drop cloths over furniture in rooms near interior work help keep dust off. Close doors to rooms that are not involved.

Can I leave my car in the garage?

If the garage is outside the work area and the driveway stays clear, possibly. Confirm on the day-before call, because blocking a car in for the day is a common frustration.

Ready to Put a Date on the Calendar?

If you have not had your home evaluated yet, prep starts with a clear plan. Request your free estimate from BMB Construction or call (817) 887-9014, and the team can walk you through what your specific repair will require from you before work begins.

This checklist offers general guidance; your contractor's written scope sets the actual prep needs for your home.