Renovating your home – can you live there while its happening?

A home renovation project is exciting, but it can also be stressful. One of those stresses is thinking about whether you will have to leave the property or whether you can continue to live there while the renovations take place. There are pros and cons to both actions and whether you have the choice depends on what type of renovation work is taking place.

Some renovation work only affects part of the property, such as converting an attic or improving the outdoor space with porous paving. In these cases, you can continue living in your home quite happily with just a minor amount of disruption. This is not always the case.

When you will need to move out during renovation work

There will be times when you have to make other living arrangements during home renovations. These include renovations where:

• The roof of your home is being replaced.
• Asbestos is being removed.
• Major mold removal is involved.
• More than half of the property is being renovated at once.
• All of the bathrooms are out of action.
• The kitchen cannot be used for a significant period of time.

You will not be able to live in your home safely during these types of renovation. There will be times when you can remain in your home and whether you choose to is up to you.

Should you remain at home during renovations?

There are several reasons why it makes sense to find somewhere else to stay while your home is being renovated:

• You do not have to live with dust and grime for several weeks.
• You do not have to deal with any of the inconvenience caused by living on site.
• The project may finish sooner as the construction professionals do not have to work around you.

However, there are also advantages to remaining at home while renovation work is being carried out:

• It’s usually the cheaper option.
• You can keep an eye on the progress of the renovations.
• You are easily available if there are any issues to resolve.

If you do decide to stay on site, there are things you can do to make life easier.

Making it easier to live with renovation work

The most important thing you need to do, if you are thinking of staying in your home during renovation work, is plan ahead. Think about how you are going to manage cooking, sleeping and maintaining everyone’s safety. It’s also a good idea to have a place in your home which can be separated off, and kept free from debris, as an oasis in the chaos. Back-up plans should always be in place; in case you need to vacate the premises at any point. This may happen if your kitchen or bathroom is unexpectedly out of action for a lengthy period, or if you just need to escape for a couple of days. Make arrangements to stay with friends or relatives, or put money away for a hotel, just in case.

If renovation work in your home is major, you may have no choice but to move out. If not, you may have the choice to stay on site. Think about your options carefully and make the decision that is right for you.