Home renovation can require some adjusting on your part. Depending on the level of work it needs, you may need to move out. In other instances, you can still stay within the home. But, you must take the necessary steps to keep your items safe.
One major concern for many homeowners is jewelry. Without a doubt, such items can be pretty expensive. It helps to have a way to keep them safe because you can never be too sure about the integrity of the contractors.
Strangers will have unfettered access to your home during this period. That makes you vulnerable to theft, which can, in some cases, be pretty hard to prevent.
But what can you do during the home renovation to avoid losing your pieces of jewelry?
- Hire the Right Contractors
Be careful and aware of the people you let into your home. A good idea is to take the time to find the right home renovation company. Reputable companies would not stake their reputation by hiring people without running thorough background checks.
Ask questions about the vetting processes. It does not hurt to have the reassurance that they take the necessary steps to keep the clients safe by not working with felons.
Do not be afraid to ask for a list of the people handing the job. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know who will be in the vicinity of your home. The company should also notify you in case of any changes.
Due diligence does not stop there, though. Ask for references so that you can talk to their past clients. Read customer reviews for honest feedback about the company. It also helps to see what industry bodies they are part of.
The company should also have insurance to cover property damage. You will need to find out what their policies say about theft. The challenge is you may have to prove that the contract is liable for the theft. It can end up in a you-say-they-say scenario, resulting in no compensation at all.
Do note that the company cannot offer a 100% guarantee that your valuables will be safe. The onus is still on you to do all you can to ensure the safety of your valuables.
Protect yourself further by taking home insurance. Ensure that the covers include loss of property due to theft. It does not necessarily come as a standard feature in most policies.
- Move the Jewelry Out Of the Home
You have invested your hard-earned money in some fantastic jewelry. You have some pretty unique pieces, like your custom-made tennis bracelet or an heirloom diamond ring. The loss of such items would be devastating, to say the least.
If you are good at hiding stuff, you may want to consider that as an option to keep the jewelry safe. Place them out of sight in an area that the renovation team will not enter.
Another option is to move the jewelry out of the home. Ask a family member or trusted friend to hold them until the renovation is complete. Make sure it is someone you trust entirely. Go a step further by placing your jewelry in a lockable box and keeping the key.
The other option is to put them in a bank safety deposit box until further notice. This is perhaps the safest option. Find out what kind of facilities your bank has and the cost implications. For sure, what you will pay is nothing compared to what the loss of the jewelry could be.
- Install a Home Safe
If you do not have a home safe yet, it may be time to install one. The trick is to go for one that is hard to identify as one. The installation companies should be able to advise you on some of the best options. They will also recommend the best place to put it. Do take note of the following when choosing a home safe.
- Decide between electronic, fingerprints, or mechanical locks. Factors like placement will have a significant role to play. A mechanical safe, for example, can work in any environment, including wet areas. There is no battery or electronic components to worry about the effect of humidity. Electronic locks are excellent, but you have to remember the codes.
- The size will depend on what you intend to keep in the safe.
- Determine whether you want a portable or stationary safe. You may think portability is an advantage because you can move from place to place with it. But, the burglar can also use this advantage to their benefit.
- The cost will depend on some of the factors above. Do not scrimp on this part. One good quality and well-trusted brand should be an investment that will give long-term value and safety for your valuables.
- Invest in a Home Security System
A home security system with remote surveillance can help. You can keep a close eye on the ongoing activities during the renovations. Video surveillance can also give you valuable footage in case of a theft.
You could also ask the security company for extra surveillance during the renovation. There may be a cost implication to it. But at least you do not spend the whole day staring at your laptop or phone screen to see what is going on in the home. Sometimes letting the experts handle such work is so much easier.
Visible home security systems can act as a deterrence. So, unlike the safe, make sure the cameras are visible.
Final Thoughts
The home renovation should come with minimal disruption to your life in an ideal situation. However, this is not always the case. And one of the most significant challenges is how to keep your valuables safe.
Unless you’re doing the home renovation yourself, the first most critical step is to work with a reputable company. But even then, you do not have a 100% guarantee that all the workers are good people.
Additional steps include hiding the valuables, moving them out of the home, or installing a home safe. Also, take home insurance that covers property theft.
Finally, consider it an investment to install a proper home security system. Remote surveillance capabilities mean you can keep a closer eye on the ongoing work from wherever you are.
