Tips For Living In Your Home During Your Remodel

Are you considering a home remodel to improve the style and function of your home? If so, you are not alone. However, many people who want to remodel their homes don’t do so because of all the variables. For example, can you live in a house during a remodel? How do you live in a house while remodeling? And other factors such as what not to do when remodeling.

We are going to go over all of this and more. We will answer all your questions about performing a residential remodel.

Let’s get started.

Can You Live in a House During a Remodel?

Yes, you can live in a house during a remodel. However, different people have different family needs and tolerances. For example, if you are a retiree with no children or pets, then living in your house during a remodel is a rather simple endeavor. Alternatively, if you are a retiree, you might want to take a trip and let the contractors perform your home remodel while you’re gone.

If you have kids and pets, remodeling your home is an entirely different matter that could result in some major inconveniences. For example, if you have kids and pets, you will have to monitor them 24/7 to keep them safe and out of trouble. Therefore, the steps to remodel a house with kids and pets could be different because you will have to make certain allowances.

So, if you choose to stay, what is the best way of living in a house when remodeling?

How Do You Live in a House When Remodeling?

How to live in your house while remodeling will again depend on your situation such as your needs and whether you have kids and pets. It will also depend on what type of home remodel you are performing—a large project or just a few small house renovations? Only you know what’s best for you and your family.

Here are some tips for living in your house during a home remodel.

Consider the Time of Year

Plan your remodel for the most comfortable time of year. This is because there will be times when the power will need to be turned off so the contractor can deal with any given repair, wiring, electrical issues, or component installations, etc.

Additionally, if you want to remodel during a particularly hot or cold time of year, you will need to make arrangements for a window AC unit or portable heaters for your home if you will be replacing the HVAC system.

Mental Preparation

Your life as you know it will change for a while, so it’s best to mentally prepare yourself and your family for what’s about to take place. For example, there will be dust everywhere no matter how often you try to clean it up. Additionally, contractors generally work from dawn to dusk, so there won’t be any sleeping in because it will be noisy.

Also, your house won’t feel like your house. There will be many different people around at all times. And, for a while, there might be missing walls, open wall voids, no doors, and no privacy whatsoever. These are just a few of the things you will have to mentally prepare for.

Just remember the attitude with which you approach your home remodeling situation will determine how positively or negatively your family deals with their temporary living arrangements.

Assign Designated Living and Play Areas

Since you won’t want your kids and pets in the contractors’ way, you will need to set some boundaries by assigning designated areas along with some ground rules, so everyone knows exactly where they are allowed to be and go and knows exactly what the temporary house rules are.

Create a Home Within a Home

During a home remodel, you might not have access to certain parts of your house for a time. Therefore, you will need to set up temporary living areas for your essentials. For example, Kitchen or bath storage for the things you need access to daily. This would include food, medications, toiletries, etc.

Develop a Written Schedule

Many people ask “How do I deal with limited bathroom space when remodeling my house?” If your home remodel includes a bathroom remodel, you will need a written schedule that includes designated morning and evening bathroom times for each person in the house. This will eliminate any disagreements about who gets to use the bathroom and when. It will also ensure that everyone has an equal amount of time to do what they need to do without everyone trying to use the bathroom at once.

OK, but you probably also want to know how to survive a kitchen remodel…right?

Let’s talk about that.

How Do I Live in My House During a Kitchen Remodel?

Tips for living in your house during a kitchen remodel are easier than you might think.

You might actually think this is fun – sort of like camping or picnicking. When remodeling your kitchen, you can set up a temporary kitchen area. For example, use some shelving for storing your kitchen food, dishes, pans, utensils, etc. Plan easy to prepare meals and stock up on non-perishable items, as well as paper plates, paper cups, and plastic utensils.

You can set up some folding tables, use picnic tables, or patio tables to eat on. Next, you can break out that old camping stove and stock up on propane canisters. Or you can just use your trusty old grill.

You can make this experience fun by adding some outdoor activities to go along with your home remodel. This will make being outdoors and eating outdoors more like a party—something that’s fun rather than an inconvenience.

What Should You Not Do When Remodeling a House?

There are plenty of things you should not do when remodeling a house. Here are a few of the most common home renovation mistakes to avoid.

• Depend on a set deadline. Things don’t always go as planned.

• Setting an unrealistic budget. Again, things don’t always go as planned.

• Having unrealistic expectations.

• Not considering your long-term needs.

• Choosing the lowest bid.

• Hiring separate designers and builders.

So, what is the best way to avoid the most common home remodeling mistakes?

Hire a contractor that has a professional in-house design-build team. And look for a business that has everything you need all under one roof. You want your design-build team to be on the same page. And, you don’t want to have to drive all over town trying to compare and buy matching materials. It’s best to look for a one-stop-shop so you end up with the exact look you want in your new home remodel and not a mismatched mess.

What’s Next?

For a one-stop-shop and an in-house design-build team for your Cedar Falls or Independence, Iowa home remodel, Home Indeed has everything you need. We have expert designers and builders, as well as a 3,600 square foot showroom where you can shop and compare as many looks and styles as you’d like all under one roof. You might be surprised at just how easy and cost-effective your new home remodel can be.