Four Tips for Living at Home During a Remodel

So you’ve decided to stay in your house while your contractor remodels the kitchen, bathroom, or another room. This is a great choice for those who want to save a little money (restaurants and hotel stays can add up!) and maintain control over their project while knowing exactly what’s going on throughout the entire process.

But how do you successfully live at home during a remodel? We’ve broken down the following tips to help you and your family stay safe and adapt to changes:

1. Be flexible with your daily routine.

When you’re renovating your place, changes to your everyday life will occur. This may be frustrating at first because letting someone come into your home to make updates is difficult. Accepting this and making small adjustments to your routine with help your family and contractor immensely. Your remodeler can help you move any necessary items to a temporary kitchen or another space before he begins the job.

With a kitchen renovation, for example, remove any appliances from the kitchen that you use every day, such as a microwave and toaster. You can also make dinners ahead of time and freeze them in a mini-fridge that you keep in your temporary kitchen. And while making coffee in your bedroom or another room might seem odd for now, imagine how great it will feel to enjoy a steaming mug in your beautiful custom kitchen once the project is complete.

2. Establish construction (and construction-free) zones.

Your contractor will try to keep the mess and noise contained to the room you’re remodeling, but some will possibly stray to other areas. To minimize this, talk to him or her about any spaces in your home, yard, or garage that are off-limits, where renovation work cannot occur. For example, if you’ve set up a temporary kitchen, you can request that your contractor stays out of this area so your family has a private dining space.

Although you can expect a little mess here and there, an expert contractor will take steps to prevent disrupting the rest of your home as much as possible. He or she can help you seal off these construction-free zones to contain the dust to the designated renovation area. He or she will also cover the floors and set up temporary doors to protect your other rooms.

3. Protect your furniture and fragile items.

Even after setting up your remodeling and construction-free zones, it’s a smart idea to move or cover your furniture to prevent renovation wear and tear. You can take smaller chairs, coffee tables, or ottomans and place them in a different location. And if you have heavy items you can’t move in the room you’re renovating, such as couches or armoires, your remodeler will cover these to keep them safe.

Furniture isn’t the only thing you’ll want to protect. Move any fragile decor—such as vases, picture frames, figurines, or artwork— away from the remodeling area to avoid any potential damage. Your contractor can assist you in relocating these pieces and replacing them once your renovation is complete.

4. Ask your contractor for decision-making help.

There are so many design and remodeling choices to make that the process can easily become overwhelming. That’s why it’s so helpful to partner with a remodeler who’ll guide you in narrowing down your options until you determine exactly what you want your project to look like. Your contractor is there to help you make decisions, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. If you’re unsure which tile pattern will look best in your bathroom, or you don’t know whether a certain light fixture will complement a new kitchen design, see what your contractor thinks.

A professional remodeler will be patient with your thought process as you weigh the pros and cons, and he or she will be willing to answer any questions you may have. Your contractor will also provide excellent communication, sound project management, and quality workmanship, so you’ll feel confident in your decisions throughout the remodel.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have a successful renovation! And remember: Your contractor is on your team. He or she is here to answer your questions, walk you through the process, and design a space you love.