Talk to your remodeler about worksite containment. Remodeling activities create dust. This can’t be avoided, but there are ways to contain it. When interviewing a prospective remodeler, ask them how they’ll contain dust during the remodeling project. They can, for example, mist surfaces before sanding and scraping and install barriers to contain dust in the immediate work area.

Beware of components with asbestos. The use of asbestos as a construction material has been banned in the U.S. since the late 1970s, after it was found that asbestos fibers cause a type of cancer known as mesothelioma. If your home was built around that period of time and hasn’t had a major renovation, inform your remodeler. The house will need to be professionally inspected and tested to determine which areas have asbestos and how they will be removed.

Keep all work areas well-ventilated. Whether a heat pump inspection or a major renovation is being performed, keeping the work areas well-ventilated is a good practice to follow. This will help disperse dust and indoor air pollutants away from the room. Most remodelers install industrial exhaust fans on windows and close the HVAC vents in the rooms they’re working in to prevent contamination of existing ductwork. Pressure barriers made of plastic sheets can be used to seal openings such as windows and doors that aren’t being used for ventilation.

Run an air purifier during and after remodeling. Air purifiers or scrubbers are dedicated air filtration systems that work like the air filters in your HVAC system, but on a larger scale. Consider renting one for the duration of your project. It may be an additional expense, but an air purifier can help keep dusting and cleaning up after remodeling to a minimum.