Living in your home during a renovation

One of the first decisions in any renovation is whether to move out. Moving out costs money, but staying in means living with dust, noise and strangers in your house for weeks or months. Many homeowners stay, and it works well with the right planning. Here is what helps.

When to stay and when to move out

Staying is usually workable if:

• The work is limited to part of the house, such as a kitchen, a bathroom or an extension
• You still have at least one working bathroom
• The work can be phased so you always have somewhere to sleep that is closed off from the site

Moving out is usually worth it if:

• The whole house is being renovated at once
• The roof is coming off
• There is significant demolition, asbestos removal or work that cuts water and power for long periods
• You have a newborn, someone with a respiratory condition or a very tight timeline

Moving out also lets your builder work faster, because they are not working around you.

Phasing the work

If you stay, plan the work in phases. Finish one bathroom before starting another. Build the extension before breaking through to the existing house. Keep your bedroom away from the noisiest work. A good builder will plan the sequence with you.

Dust

Dust is the biggest frustration. To control it:

• Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and zip doors
• Cover vents and return-air grilles
• Use dust extraction on cutting tools where possible
• Move or cover furniture, artwork and electronics in nearby rooms
• Set up an entrance for workers that does not go through your living areas

Even with all this, some dust will travel. Plan for a professional clean at the end.

Noise and working hours

Building work is noisy, and most of it happens between 7 and 5 on weekdays. If you work from home, find a quiet space as far from the site as possible, or plan to work elsewhere on demolition days. Your builder should give you warning of the noisiest days.

Keeping your household running

• Set up a temporary kitchen with a fridge, kettle, microwave and a basin if possible
• Agree access arrangements: who has keys, which doors workers use, and where they park
• Keep pets away from the site. Gates left open and open trenches are a real risk.
• Agree on toilets for the workers so they do not use yours

Safety

Children and pets should be kept away from the site at all times. Building sites have open trenches, scaffolding, power tools and materials stacked under tension. Insist that the work area is closed off at the end of each day.

Communication

Agree on a regular time to meet with your site manager, at least weekly. Raise concerns early. A small issue raised on Tuesday is easier to fix than a big one discovered at the end of the month.

Your neighbours

Tell your neighbours before work starts, give them a contact number, and warn them about noisy days and deliveries. A good relationship with the neighbours makes everything easier.

If you are planning a renovation and want to stay at home, talk to us about how we would phase it.