How to prepare for your next home improvement, pit-crew style
Knowing how to prepare for your next home improvement project makes the installation smoother, safer and faster for you and for the crew.
Whether you’re installing new windows, replacing siding or upgrading your roof, a little preparation protects your property and keeps the project moving without needless delays. At Thrush & Son®, our crews work to finish quickly while keeping a clean, organized job site. When your home is ready before we arrive, our team can focus on craftsmanship instead of moving patio chairs.
We wrote this guide in 2013, the summer our family sponsored Jason Bowles at Eldora. A good race starts in the pits, and so does a good remodel. Here’s how to prepare like a pit crew.
How to prepare in five laps
Here’s how to prepare, step by step, from two weeks out to the finish line. Tick off each of the 15 steps; the scoreboard keeps count.
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Lap 1Two weeks out
Plan the race
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Lap 2The week of
Clear the track
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Lap 3The night before
Pit-lane prep
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Lap 4Install day
Green flag
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Lap 5After the finish line
Victory lap
How to prepare inside, outside and around the crew
When you learn how to prepare these three areas, install day runs itself.
How to prepare your home before the crew arrives
Before work begins, clear the work areas and protect what you value. Move vehicles, outdoor furniture and personal items away from the work zone so the crew can reach every area safely. Inside, take down blinds, curtains and decorative pieces near the windows to prevent accidental damage during installation.
How to prepare outdoor areas
Exterior projects move ladders, tools and materials all around your property. Mark delicate landscaping, clear the patio and put away yard ornaments. Doing it ahead of time also lets installers move quickly between tasks, which helps keep your project on schedule. Regular home maintenance makes this step even easier.
How to prepare for a safe, smooth project
Safety comes first on every job. Keep children and pets away from the work area, and remember that tools, materials and debris will be around during construction. Our team sweeps driveways and walkways daily, but we still suggest a quick look before you walk through the job site.
Planning a bigger project? Our home exterior checklist and our guide to comparing roofing estimates pick up where this one leaves off, and you can explore exterior home upgrades across the Miami Valley.
Five decades of prep before the green flag
How a gutter business from Phillipsburg grew into a three-generation exterior company, up to the summer of 2013.
- Thrush SpoutingWilbur Allen Thrush Sr. starts installing gutters and roofs in Phillipsburg, Ohio.
- Thrush & SonThrush Spouting takes the name Thrush & Son. In 1969, a red Dodge one-ton becomes its first branded truck.
- Second generationWilbur’s son Allen and his wife Michelle purchase the company.
- BrookvilleThe first office and showroom opens on Market Street.
- Room to growA warehouse opens at 201 Sycamore Street as siding, windows, doors and insulation join the lineup.
- Third generationCorey joins after earning a management degree and playing professional baseball.
- Mudsummer ClassicThrush & Son sponsors driver Jason Bowles at the historic race at Eldora Speedway.
Through all of it, the family earned the community’s trust one home at a time, with awards and manufacturer certifications along the way. The 2013 Eldora Speedway race was a thank-you to the Miami Valley, and a reminder that every good finish starts with good preparation.
Keep up with the family
More home improvement tips, plus life behind the scenes.
- W. Allen ThrushLeadership and legacy
- Corey ThrushInnovation and vision
- FacebookReal homeowner stories
- InstagramBehind-the-scenes craftsmanship
- X (Twitter)Pro tips and updates
- LinkedIn company pageNews, awards and openings
- BooBooBehind-the-scenes chaos (and cuteness)
Ready for your green flag?Book a no-pressure estimate and we’ll walk you through exactly how to prepare for your project, start to finish.
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