Starting a new remodeling project is exciting. But don’t let the anticipation of tearing out that ugly old cabinet that you’ve hated for years lead you to skip an important first step: prepping the job site. Taking measures to contain demolition dust and debris and protect the areas that surround your work zone isn’t much fun, but it also isn’t difficult and it’s well worth the effort.
Professional remodelers prep a job site to protect floors and surrounding surfaces as well as to protect themselves from the potential work and expense of cleaning and repairing those surfaces or objects. They understand that in most cases, it’s easier to contain a mess than to clean it up later. The amount of effort (or lack of effort) a remodeler puts into the prep phase is one of my tip-offs to how much experience they have and how conscientious they are.
Here are some of my favorite tips for containing your job site mess and protecting the surrounding areas from dust and damage.

1.    Remove everything that isn’t enclosed in a cabinet or permanently attached to the walls, ceiling and floor. It’s much easier and less time consuming to box up and move small items than it is to clean them or clean around them after the job is completed. I’m amazed by some of the little things that people just leave out during a project. Seriously, would it have been too much trouble to move your mail and toaster off the countertop before you started tearing out the wall cabinets above it. Now you’ll be dusting individual envelops and enjoying toast flavored with a hint of roasted drywall dust – yum.
2.    Plastic sheeting is your best friend. Seal off all openings to other areas of the house. Cover horizontal surfaces such as countertops, sinks or the stove. Seal the air registers and cold air return vents. Cover and seal around windows that won’t be opened. And, if the windows have blinds, don’t bother removing them, just seal them with the window. Secure all edges of the plastic dust barrier (even along the floor). Changes in air pressure on either side of the plastic will blow dust through any opening in the plastic.

My contractor pal, Mike Conner, showed me this great trick. Use two types of tape to hang a plastic dust barrier. I attach blue painter’s tape to the walls, cabinets or ceiling because it won’t damage the paint or the finish when removed. Because the blue painter’s tape doesn’t stick well to most plastic sheeting (there’s often a light coating of powder on the plastic), I attach regular masking tape to the plastic and then stick the two tapes to each other (sticky side to sticky side). It actually doesn’t take any more time and the extra five bucks I spend on one more roll of tape is well worth it.

The retractable ZipWall System is a fast and easy way to put up a plastic dust barrier without tape. If you need a complete seal to prevent fine dust from escaping, consider using tape or ZipWall foam rails to seals the plastic across the floor, ceiling and walls. The poles are also handy for supporting lights and laser levels or to temporarily support wall cabinets or moldings during installation.

If you plan to leave the plastic barrier up for several days or longer, then consider attaching an adhesive zipper, such as the ZipWall Zipper so that you can walk through the barrier without taking it down. Installing these zippers is very simple. Attach the closed zipper to a plastic barrier wall, open the zipper and then slice open the plastic barrier inside the zipper.

3.    Cover unnecessary outlets with blue painter’s tape.
4.    If a cabinet is not covered with plastic, seal all gaps between the cabinet doors with blue painters tape.
5.    Open at least one door or window. Ideally, I open two doors or windows, each on an opposing side of the room, and place a box fan (blowing out) in one of the openings to create air flow to remove most airborne dust.
6.    Keep ceiling fixtures and wall sconces clean by wrapping them with a garbage bag and closing the top with masking tape. Be sure to tape the light switch in the off position so that the bulb isn’t accidentally turned on (and heats up) while the bag is covering the fixture.
7.    Protect floors and steps with drop cloths, paper, cardboard or poly sheets.

Self-adhering poly-film, such as this PRO TECT film, is a great way to protect carpet from foot traffic and spills for up to 45 days. The dispenser (pictured) makes it faster to install, but it isn’t required. You can also pull the adhesive right off the roll and press it down on the carpet. I especially like using this film on carpeted steps.

Red rosin paper has been used to temporarily protect floors and keep them clean during construction for decades. It costs less than $10 for a 3- x 167-ft. roll and is available at most home centers and flooring stores.

8.    Vacuum and use a damp cloth or mop to wipe all surfaces clean BEFORE removing plastic barriers at the end of a messy job.
9.    Use a shop vacuum that is equipped with a HEPA filter.
10.    Finally, don’t forget to protect yourself. Wear eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, knee pads and a dust mask or a respirator as necessary, depending on the type of work and the debris and building materials involved.