The Goal: Fast, Clean, Stress-Free
A well-prepared home lets the drywall crew focus on the actual work and finish faster, cleaner, and with less risk to your belongings. We bring drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and dust containment, but homeowner prep multiplies the effectiveness of all of it. Most prep takes 30–60 minutes and is easy to do the night before.
Move What You Can
Clear the work area of furniture if possible. For a single-room job, move smaller items to another room and group larger items (sofas, beds) in the center of the room with at least 4 feet of clearance to the walls. We'll cover what's left with plastic, but moving items out is faster than tarping them and reduces the risk of dust or dings.
Protect Electronics
Dust is the enemy of electronics. Move TVs, computers, stereos, and gaming consoles to another room if possible. If they can't move, unplug them, cover them with plastic, and tape the plastic shut. Even with dustless sanding, fine particles can find their way into vents and ports.
Take Things Off the Walls
Anything hanging on walls in or near the work area should come down: pictures, mirrors, shelves, TVs, sconces. Loose items vibrate during cutting and sanding and can fall. Wall-mounted speakers and TVs are especially vulnerable. Patching the holes left by your wall hangers is included in most jobs — just tell us where they were.
Plan for HVAC
We'll close and tape over HVAC supply and return vents in the work area to prevent dust from circulating through your duct system. Plan to leave your HVAC system off during active sanding (usually a 1–2 hour window) and to change the filter after we leave. We can recommend an HVAC tech if you want a full duct cleaning after a large project.
Pets and Children
Drywall dust is not toxic but it irritates lungs, eyes, and skin. Keep pets and children out of the work area during cuts, sanding, and material handling. After the crew leaves for the day, the room is safe but may still have surface dust until we clean up at the end of the job.
Communicate Allergies and Sensitivities
If anyone in the home has asthma, severe allergies, or chemical sensitivities, tell us when you book. We can use HEPA filtration, extra dust containment, and odorless materials where possible. We've worked in homes with newborns and immune-compromised residents — there are always extra steps we can take.
Schedule and Access
Confirm with us the day before: arrival time, expected duration, payment method, and who to contact if you'll be out. Make sure we can park near the entrance closest to the work area — we carry heavy materials and tools, and a long carry adds time. Garage access is a bonus for storing materials and tools overnight on multi-day jobs.
Ready to Schedule?
Call Wilmington Drywall Pros at (910) 555-0184 to schedule your free in-home estimate. We'll walk through prep specific to your project and answer any questions before we arrive.