Whether it’s executing functional adjustments to increase property value or cosmetic updates to integrate a personal flair, everyone deserves to transform their house into a home.
But home transformations don’t happen overnight. When planning a home renovation, homeowners are faced with the big question:
“Can I stay in my home during a luxury home renovation or remodeling project?”
It is possible to live in your home during renovations; however, the decision requires careful review of the following:
- Scope and timeline of project
- Family needs
- Budget restrictions
- Tolerance to dust and noise
- Contractor’s preference
Continue reading for an in-depth comparison of the pros, cons, and expert tips of living at home during a premium home renovation project.
Benefits of Living in Your Home During Renovations:
Save Money on Temporary Housing
Many homeowners prefer to live on-site during home renovations. Staying at home eliminates the additional expenses associated with off-site housing such as extended stays in hotels.
Additionally, remaining at home also reduces:
- Moving costs
- Storage unit costs
- Extra commute and parking costs
- External amenities like laundry or eating out
With the cost of luxury home renovations often exceeding up to $800 per square foot in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, most families prioritize saving money where they can. Living on-site is the widely chosen solution as they can save a substantial amount of money on additional costs.
Maintain Family Routine During Renovation
Additionally, staying on-site allows families to maintain a sense of familiarity and daily routine throughout the renovation process.
Home renovation timelines are specific to the type and size of the renovation. For example, a minor painting renovation can take around 3 days to finish, but a major bathroom remodeling can take up to 3 months to complete. Typically, homeowners should double the expected timeline to account for unforeseen delays. Then, they can make an informed decision about whether they are comfortable living on or off site for that construction period.
Improve Communication with Contractors
By living on-site, homeowners can remain informed and personally track the day-to-day progress of the project. Being physically present often prevents the risk of miscommunication between homeowners and contractors. It provides an opportunity to immediately adjust plans if an installation or design is not what was envisioned.
Instant communication, oversight, and involvement can vastly reduce stress related to home renovations.
Challenges of Living Through Home Renovations:
Endure Extended Noise Disruption
Waking up in your dream home is a blissful experience homeowners dream of. Yet even the most organized luxury renovation creates unavoidable noise and activity. Despite professional soundproofing techniques, heavy construction, demolition, framing power tools, and constant foot traffic are highly disruptive and annoying.
Living on-site during the construction process means being subject to higher-decibel noise. Thus, it often creates a need for protective devices, noise-cancelling headphones, and a shift in routine. For instance, people with remote work hours are typically unable to work from home during their usual hours due to construction constantly interrupting meetings and productivity.
At Risk for Health and Safety Concerns
Another possible issue with staying at home during a renovation includes the health and safety concerns introduced with prolonged exposure to a construction zone.
Top health and safety hazards prevalent in home construction include:
- Construction dust mitigation
- Asbestos, lead, or VOCs
- Other chemical fumes
- Clogged HVAC systems
- Fire, shocks, etc.
- Mold & mildew
Families with infants, young children, older adults, pregnant family members, or anyone with respiratory conditions should strongly consider temporary housing during major renovation.
Have Limited Privacy and Home Use
During home renovations, especially major projects, the house temporarily turns into a shared, unusable space. Contractors, electricians, plumbers, managers, and the other team workers will constantly be passing throughout the standard 8:00AM-4:00PM workday, Monday to Friday. To prevent unannounced visits, find a trustworthy service provider and establish ground rules together.
Alongside losing internal privacy, homes are often put on display to neighbors during home remodeling and extensive structural changes. Many homeowners reduce additional stress by securing valuables and installing cameras.
With the increased traffic, the functions and utilities may temporarily be paused for the construction period. For example, during kitchen remodeling, the kitchen is completely unusable and blocked off. This operational interruption causes families to find a new meal plan for the time being. There will also be many periods where the contractors need to temporarily shut off running water, electricity, or Wi-Fi, often at unexpected times.
Things to Consider While Living at Home During Renovations
While deciding if you should live at home during renovations, here are some factors to consider:
- Scope and timeline of project
- HVAC protection from dust, noise, chemicals, etc.
- Alternative utilities or operations
- Adjusting to the new routine
- Keeping close track of money and project progress
- Work and household accommodations
- Pregnant or infant individual in the house
The short answer is it is possible to stay at home during a home renovation or remodeling. The longer, more comprehensive answer is that it depends on the type of project and a homeowner’s personal, lifestyle needs.
When Moving Out Makes More Sense
- Whole-home renovations
- Structural work
- HVAC replacement
- Lead paint
- Asbestos
- Families with infants
- Remote workers
- Pets
- Medical concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What home renovations should I move out during?
Typically, anything that disrupts operational needs or utilities of the house or is hazardous health and safety wise. For example, full kitchen remodeling, multiple bathroom renovations, roof replacements, whole-house remodels, and major structural repairs. Your contractor should explain the risks of living at home during your renovation to make an informed decision.
2. What home renovations can I stay at home during?
Typically, cosmetic changes or isolated construction work are convenient and safe to stay at home during, like painting, flooring, or basement remodeling. While living around the construction zone, it is important to establish a personal, safe zone for your family.
3. How do you deal with dust during renovation?
Professional contractors can significantly reduce construction dust mitigation by using plastic containment barriers, HEPA air filtration systems, protective floor coverings, and daily jobsite cleanup. Homeowners can also help by sealing unused rooms, covering furniture, changing HVAC filters regularly, and storing valuable belongings away from active construction areas. Good dust management helps maintain comfort and indoor air quality during a luxury home renovation.
4. Is it safe to live in your house during a renovation?
Living in your home during a renovation can be safe for cosmetic updates or projects isolated to one area of the house. Larger renovations involving structural work, electrical rewiring, plumbing, or hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead paint may require temporary relocation. Your contractor should explain potential risks, establish proper dust-control measures, and help you decide whether remaining in the home makes sense for your project.
Renovate Your Luxury House into a Dream Home
Whether you choose to stay on-site or temporarily relocate during a luxury home renovation or remodeling, finding a trustworthy, reliable contract service provider is the key to a smooth, professional process.
Dibico Home Management Services provides professional property renovation throughout Westchester and Fairfield Counties, helping homeowners make comprehensive, informed decisions. For decades, we regularly create detailed design plans and systematic executions from upgrades to large-scale remodelling.
Call (203) 618-1219 today to schedule a consultation with our team of luxury home renovation experts or schedule a home assessment.