A renovation may be just what your home needs to make your family more comfortable. A renovation can make your space more functional, and it also has the potential to increase the value of your home. Although there are many benefits of finally tackling the renovation you’ve been dreaming about, there are also some downsides. A big one is that many families have to continue living in the house while the renovation progresses.
You can save a lot of money by living in your home instead of shacking up in a hotel, and it doesn’t mean you have to be miserable until the remodel is done either! With these tips, you can live comfortably in your home throughout the renovation process.
Plan One Remodeling Project at a Time
There’s a lot that goes into planning a home renovation project. For example, you have to obtain the necessary permits. You have to hire contractors, you’ll be dealing with subcontractors, and you’ll have to work with all of the trades to make sure home renovation safety precautions are followed. It can be tempting to tackle multiple projects at one time just to get it over with.
That’s not a good idea if you want to continue living in your home.
Renovations often take up a lot more space than just the one room that’s being renovated. You’ll have contractors walking through your home, boxes piled on the floor, and dust swirling through your house. It’s a lot easier to manage if only one room is being tackled in your home at a time.
Know Where You’re Going to Store Packed Items
There’s a lot of work to do before your renovation begins. You’ll likely have a lot of stuff that will have to be packed away until the renovation is over. Make a plan for where you’re going to store all that stuff so you aren’t stuck living in a forest of boxes.
Furniture storage might include renting a storage facility, setting aside space in another room in your home, or sending things out to the garage.
Proceed with caution when it comes to finding new places to keep some pieces of furniture. For example, you may technically have space for an extra chair in the living room, but the additional clutter may cause more stress than it’s worth.
Create a Sanctuary Space in Your Home
Even if you’re remodeling a single room in your home, other spaces in your house will be taken over by your project. Do yourself a favor and set aside at least one room in your house that will not be touched by the renovation.
Keep things out of the living room if you’re remodeling the kitchen, and keep things out of the bedroom if you’re remodeling the upstairs bathroom. It will help you experience a sense of normalcy in your home, even if much of your house is in shambles.
Create a Calendar With Your Contractor
Not knowing exactly what to expect can make living in your home during a renovation extremely stressful. Do yourself and your family a favor by creating a calendar with your contractor.
By creating a calendar, you’ll know the exact days the contractor will be inside your home, days that subcontractors will arrive to complete work, and the hours that they will be around. You can also log the type of work being done, so you know if you will be dealing with quiet painters or a loud demo team.
Creating a calendar with your contractor also has another benefit—it can make sure your contractor stays on schedule.
Stick to Your Normal Schedule
A renovation can make sticking to your normal schedule difficult, but keeping your routine is extremely important. It can be especially important during stressful times, like a remodel.
For example:
- Make sandwiches instead of eating out every single night during a kitchen remodel
- Swing by the gym on your way home after work, even if you’re tempted to go home
- Let your kids’ friends come over after school but have them play in the backyard
- Stay consistent with bath times, homework, and make sure everyone gets to bed on time
Find Ways to Get Out of the House While Work Is Being Done
Although you should try to stick to your normal schedule as much as possible, that doesn’t mean you should grin and bear it all day, every day throughout your remodel. That’s especially the case during the day while work is being done.
If you work from home, you may want to find a different place to work while contractors are doing their thing. If they’re inside your home during the weekend, consider packing a picnic for the park so the kids can get away from it all.
If your remodel is really driving you crazy, don’t be afraid to get away from it for a night. Stay in a hotel so you don’t have to worry about the mess for at least a few hours.
Reassess Your Family’s Safety as the Renovation Progresses
It is important to reassess your family’s safety as the renovation progresses. Not only are heavy tools and sharp objects likely to be left lying around, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as chemicals, may be within easy reach of small hands.
Kitchen remodels can be especially tricky. Make sure your kitchen is safe by continuing to use childproof safety equipment, tucking away tools, and keeping young children out of the space when you can’t provide supervision.
Don’t be afraid to talk with your contractor too. They can make sure their crew spends a little extra time picking up at the end of the day.
A home renovation can greatly increase your quality of life, but dealing with a remodel can be stressful! Don’t automatically assume living out of a hotel room is the answer. There are things you can do to make sure your family is able to live as comfortably as possible during your renovation project.
