1. Prepare the site and pour the foundation:

Is your contractor pouring cement in inclement weather? Does he/she have a curing blanket? Will the cement be stained for decorative concrete floors? Freshly poured concrete should be allowed to cure at the same rate throughout the pour to prevent cracks. Cement floors should have a breathable floor protection such as EZ cover or Tuf-guard that protects the finish from damage during construction.

2. Framing including floors, walls and roofing. Insulation, plumbing electrical and HVAC:

Time to consider what finishes will be installed and what types of surface protection you will need. Make sure your contractor knows that you expect your new home finishes to be fully protected from construction trade damage.

3. Complete drywall and interior textures and begin exterior finishes and install exterior driveway and walkways. Install doors:

Protect newly installed driveway from work truck grease using Tuff-protect an absorbent, reusable weatherproof protection. Use edge protection to keep corners from being damaged by work carts and equipment. Temporary door protection such as award winning DoorGuard are crucial to keeping beautiful entryway doors looking great. Expandable cardboard jamb protectors work well to protect jambs from tool belts and construction carts.

4. Install cabinets, countertops, interior trim and windows:

Now is when the most surface protection is needed! Cabinets are one of the most expensive finishes installed in a home. Protect them using Protecta-foam, an easy to use adhesive foam protection that keeps cabinets from being scratched or splattered. Countertop protection can range from thin films that prevent scratches to Tackguard Bubblewrap that offers impact protection as well. Windows and sills can be protected using spray or paint on window coatings that cure to a hard protection layer that peels away when no longer needed. Edge Protect can be used to protect damage prone window sills as well.

5. Hard surface flooring, appliances, plumbing fixtures:

Use breathable Surface liner vapor or other breathable floor protection products such as Ramboard for newly installed glue down wood floors or freshly installed tile or stone. Interlocking laminate floors can be protected with non-breathable and less expensive products such as Clean & Safe or adhesive films.

6. Mirrors, shower doors and final clean-up:

Insist that workers use shoe and boot covers when entering your home to keep the flooring clean and scratch free. Adhesive mats can be placed outside any entry points for workers to assist in keeping the floors clean. Keep any surface protection on finishes as long as possible.

7. Final inspection and walk through:

Keep a keen eye out for cabinet or counter top scratches, scratches in wood floors, dents in appliances and any other damage to finishes. If your contractor has used temporary surface protection during construction, you should have little to no finish damage!

Pat Mullen is the president of Builders Site Protection; a business specializing in providing protective products for floors, doors, and other finishes. Pat can be reached at sales@buildsitepro.com or through her website www.buildsitepro.com