Some home renovations are relatively small, and it is no trouble to stay in the home during construction. Others may require that you relocate during a renovation.  If you’re doing a DIY project to reface kitchen cabinets and slap on a fresh coat of paint, your home life can continue without much interruption. With a large scale home construction project, on the other hand, you can save yourself a lot of stress by finding temporary living arrangements until the renovation is complete. Here are some factors to consider as you decide whether to stay or go:

The Cost of Moving

You may be able to find free arrangements, like living with family or a particularly hospitable neighbour. Otherwise, you will have to factor in many costs: rent or hotel expenses, storage unit costs, moving fees, and so on. Remember to factor these moving/living costs into your overall budget for the project.

What is Affected

If you are adding a home addition to the back or side of the house, you may be able to sleep at home unaffected. But if you are rearranging the entire upstairs layout, this may not be possible. The more rooms that are affected, the less comfortable it will be to remain in the house. Also consider that if you are planning a finished basement renovation, this will make it difficult to access important home systems like the furnace, electrical panel, and perhaps laundry.

State of Mechanical Systems May Require that You Relocate During a Renovation

Depending on the scope of the renovation, some critical systems will be temporary disabled during the project. If systems like water or electrical must be shut off for any extended period, this is not a particularly comfortable living environment. In such cases, it’s better to move out temporarily.

Season

During the summer, there is more flexibility. If you are renovating the kitchen, you can easily cook and eat outdoors, even if your kitchen is a construction zone. However in the winter you’ll want warm accommodations indoors.

Outside Storage

Contractors need space on the lawn and driveway to store materials and a disposal bin. If this interferes with your usual parking arrangements, you may find it preferable to move out during the renovation. This is especially important if you live in a dense neighbourhood where street parking is difficult to find.

General Health

Home construction generates a lot of dust, which can be problematic for residents with allergies or lung issues. Even though workers take care to keep the construction zone clean and separate from the rest of the house, dust finds a way of spreading.

Children & Pets

Though you know how to stay out of the construction zone, children and pets may struggle with this. If you are concerned about your children and pets being affected by the dust and noise of construction, it may be best to move out temporarily.

Comfort

In many cases, staying simply depends on the comfort level of the homeowner. Will you feel tense and frustrated when your home is filled with dust, noise, and workers? Or will you feel at ease knowing it’s all part of the journey to making your dream home?

Give us a call at Holland Homes & Renovations and we’ll discuss which option is best for you depending on the scope of your project. Whichever option you choose, your stunning completed renovation is just around the corner. 

Some home renovations are relatively small, and it is no trouble to stay in the home during construction. If you’re doing a DIY project to reface kitchen cabinets and slap on a fresh coat of paint, your home life can continue without much interruption. With a large scale home construction project, on the other hand, you can save yourself a lot of stress by finding temporary living arrangements until the renovation is complete. Here are some factors to consider as you decide whether to stay or go:

The Cost of Moving

You may be able to find free arrangements, like living with family or a particularly hospitable neighbour. Otherwise, you will have to factor in many costs: rent or hotel expenses, storage unit costs, moving fees, and so on. Remember to factor these moving/living costs into your overall budget for the project.

What is Affected

If you are adding a home addition to the back or side of the house, you may be able to sleep at home unaffected. But if you are rearranging the entire upstairs layout, this may not be possible. The more rooms that are affected, the less comfortable it will be to remain in the house. Also consider that if you are planning a finished basement renovation, this will make it difficult to access important home systems like the furnace, electrical panel, and perhaps laundry.

State of Mechanical Systems May Mean You Need to Relocate During a Renovation

Depending on the scope of the renovation, some critical systems will be temporary disabled during the project. If systems like water or electrical must be shut off for any extended period, this is not a particularly comfortable living environment. In such cases, it’s better to move out temporarily.

Season

During the summer, there is more flexibility. If you are renovating the kitchen, you can easily cook and eat outdoors, even if your kitchen is a construction zone. However in the winter you’ll want warm accommodations indoors.

Outside Storage

Contractors need space on the lawn and driveway to store materials and a disposal bin. If this interferes with your usual parking arrangements, you may find it preferable to move out during the renovation. This is especially important if you live in a dense neighbourhood where street parking is difficult to find.

General Health

Home construction generates a lot of dust, which can be problematic for residents with allergies or lung issues. Even though workers take care to keep the construction zone clean and separate from the rest of the house, dust finds a way of spreading.

Children & Pets

Though you know how to stay out of the construction zone, children and pets may struggle with this. If you are concerned about your children and pets being affected by the dust and noise of construction, it may be best to move out temporarily.

Comfort

In many cases, staying simply depends on the comfort level of the homeowner. Will you feel tense and frustrated when your home is filled with dust, noise, and workers? Or will you feel at ease knowing it’s all part of the journey to making your dream home?

Give us a call at Holland Homes & Renovations and we’ll discuss which option is best for you depending on the scope of your project. Whichever option you choose, your stunning completed renovation is just around the corner.