If you’re planning to live on site during your home renovation you might be worried about what impact such an upheaval might have on your day to day life. If moving to short term, off-site, alternative accommodation doesn’t fit your budget then these top tips will help you survive the renovation period. And if all else fails just take a deep breath and try to remember that it will be worth it in the end!
- Being organised pays off - Speak to your builder and ensure you have a detailed work schedule that you can refer to, and make sure you are getting realistic updates as the build progresses – things might not always run exactly to plan. Knowing what to expect when you’re living on site is so important. If at certain times you’re going to be without a kitchen or a bathroom, you need to be prepared. You can’t just roll with it and hope you’ll make do! You may need to hire a portable kitchen or temporary bathroom. There are lots of companies that offer kitchen and bathroom pods that can sit in your house or driveway. This will make the renovation less painful. Likewise you may want to plan your renovation for the warmer months as being without water or power or even more crucially, being without a full roof, in the colder months should be avoided if possible. Speak to your builder about the project plan in advance so you’re prepared for all eventualities.
- Create a home within your home - Creating a retreat you can escape to within your home will be extremely welcomed when the rest of your house is dust-filled chaos. Even just one room that you can keep clean and tidy will make a big difference to how you cope.
- Make sure it is a safe site to live on - If the project you’re doing is significant, like a major roof remodel or a project that takes over the whole house your contractor might advise you to move out for a few days or longer – safety should always come first. If you are able to stay, make sure you keep children and pets away from the construction site and always wear shoes.
- Have a back-up plan - If there is particularly bad weather or if you are forced to move out for a few days for a tricky phase of the renovation to be carried out, it is important to have a bit of money in the budget to spare. You’ll be grateful in case you need to escape to a hotel for a couple of nights. If you have friends or family you can stay with temporarily that is even better!
- Think about storage - If half your home has turned into a construction site, you’ll need to think about where all your belongings that used to be in the rooms currently under construction will go. If you don’t have space in a garage or the rest of your home, you might consider self-storage options. Shop around because there are plenty of options and negotiate for a good deal.
- Go with the flow and stay relaxed - Don’t underestimate the challenge you’re setting yourself up for. Staying in your home through a substantial renovation is no mean feat. You need to remember to go with the flow and don’t get stressed – there will likely be delays to any large project and so you need to be flexible. Try and remain positive and keep an eye on the near future when you’ll be enjoying your beautiful new home!
Lastly, don’t worry, staying on site is not all doom and gloom! Perks include getting to monitor your project’s progress and saving substantial cash by not seeking alternative accommodation. What’s more you’ll be in the vicinity to address any issues that may come up with your builder.
If you follow these survival tips and if you’re working with a professional Master Builder, it’ll be over before you know it.