Are you planning a home renovation but aren’t sure whether you should stay in your house or move out while it is being remodeled? Living in your home during a renovation isn’t easy for most people, but there are situations where it is feasible with the right preparation.
Remodeling your house disrupts your daily routine temporarily, so consider the following elements before you decide where to live as your home is renovated.
Practical Tips on Whether to Live at Home or Plan for Temporary Housing During a Remodel
Take an Objective Look at Life During a Renovation
During the planning stage of your renovation, thinking about your preferences and knowing your limits can go a long way in making your life more pleasant during the construction phase. The planning phase can take 3-9 months, with construction lasting approximately 4-6 months, depending on the project.
Before construction begins, even during the design phase, it’s important to discuss what life will look like during construction. At Action Builders, we are honest during these conversations. We are aware of what it will be like because we have renovated homes since 1991.
Factor in the Project Type
Some projects are simple additions off the back of a home with a basic breakthrough. Homeowners commonly live in their own house during this construction and understand the workers trekking in and out of their space to access the addition.
An interior renovation is another example where a contractor may take over your main level, but you continue to live upstairs and have a kitchenette area set up temporarily. It may be uncomfortable and feel a bit scattered, but it is livable for many people for 3-4 months during construction.
Listen to the Pros
If you are planning a second-story addition, it is recommended that you move out of your home temporarily while the work is done, particularly if the main level of your house is being renovated too.
Homeowners often think they are going to save money by living in their basement during major construction. If they have a spouse, two kids, a dog and a cat, that’s likely not feasible. It’s important to be realistic. For many, living in a construction zone can be miserable if they’re crammed into a small space for a long period of time. It’s not practical, and here’s why:
- There are HVAC ducts that need to be rerouted, but they are above your bed in the basement.
- The plumbing in your kitchen is being converted to a powder room, so the pack and play for your child may be in the way.
- The pile of boxes you moved yesterday so the plumber could work on the new powder room is now in the way of the work he has to do for the master bathroom today, and the entire stack of boxes needs to be moved again.
This may sound dramatic, but it is the reality of construction. When it makes sense to move out temporarily, then it is worth the investment. Typically, temporary housing is most important when you’re investing in a larger second-floor addition with interior renovations included.
Take an Honest Look at Your Bedroom Closet
One way to understand more about yourself and whether you should move out of your house during a renovation or not is to take a good look inside your master closet.
If your upcoming addition is only located in one area of your home, staying in your own house during a renovation is usually not a problem. But if you have perfectly pressed dress shirts flawlessly lined up in rainbow color-coded order, with pants perfectly lined up on hangers below—you may want to consider relocating during your renovation. You can maintain the order you love and bypass a lot of stress during the remodel by moving out.
Weigh in Where You Will Work if You Office from Home
Construction can be noisy, so if you work from home, you may want to move out temporarily, or go to another workspace in your community while your home is being remodeled.
Add Function and Beauty with a Home Renovation
At Action Builders, we are a design-build company that takes projects from the initial consultation through construction. We work with you throughout the process, design within your budget, and deliver optimal results on time. Learn more about how our home renovations increase your property value and create a lifestyle you’re sure to love.
