Starting a full renovation brings significant changes to everyday life. In addition to choosing materials, setting a budget and planning the work, there is another decision many people need to make before construction begins: whether to remain in the property or find temporary accommodation.
There is no single answer that works for everyone. Whether you can continue living at home will depend on the type and duration of the renovation, the number of people living in the property and how the project is organised. While some renovations allow you to maintain a certain degree of normality, others make it virtually impossible to continue with your usual daily routine.
Before deciding where to live during the renovation, it is important to understand how the work will be organised and what the planned schedule looks like. For projects involving full renovations with Renov-art, this advance planning is particularly useful for anticipating the most challenging stages and assessing whether remaining in the property during the work is feasible.
Factors That Determine Whether You Can Continue Living at Home
The first factor to consider is the scope of the renovation. Renovating a kitchen or bathroom is very different from completely renovating an entire property. When the work affects several rooms at the same time, living alongside the renovation usually becomes much more difficult.
Dust is one of the main drawbacks. Although renovation companies use protective systems and carry out regular cleaning, some dust will inevitably spread throughout much of the property during a full renovation.
There is also the constant noise. Hammers, drills, cutting equipment and demolition work may continue for several hours each day. If you work from home, study or simply need a quiet environment, this situation can become extremely uncomfortable.
Temporary interruptions to utilities must also be considered. During certain stages of the project, it may be necessary to temporarily disconnect the water, electricity or gas supply so that new systems can be installed or existing ones modified. Although these interruptions are usually planned, they can make everyday life considerably more difficult.
Safety is another important consideration. During a renovation, it is common to find stored materials, tools, cables and areas that cannot yet be accessed safely. This is especially important when young children, elderly people or pets live in the property.
The expected duration of the renovation will also influence the decision. If the work is likely to continue for several months, many families choose to move out temporarily to avoid the physical and emotional strain of living alongside construction work for such a long period.
However, if the renovation is organised in stages and only affects certain parts of the property at a time, it may be possible to continue living there, provided that some rooms remain habitable and the professionals plan the work correctly.
In any case, good communication with the renovation company is essential. Knowing the planned schedule, the different stages of the project and when the most disruptive work will take place helps you organise your daily routine and make decisions in advance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Living at Home During a Renovation
One of the main reasons people decide to remain at home during a renovation is to save money. If you do not need to rent another property or pay for temporary accommodation, your full budget can be allocated to the renovation itself.
Remaining in the property also allows you to monitor the work closely. It is easier to resolve questions, supervise small details and make quick decisions when unexpected issues arise during the project.
However, this option also has several disadvantages that should be considered before the work begins.
The loss of comfort is probably the most obvious drawback. Rooms that cannot be used, protected furniture, construction materials and the constant movement of tradespeople can completely disrupt your normal routine.
Everyday tasks may also become more complicated. Cooking, showering, resting or even accessing certain rooms can be difficult during some stages of the renovation.
Stress is another factor that should not be underestimated. Living for weeks with noise, dust and constant changes can affect the rest and well-being of everyone in the property.
For this reason, many people choose to find temporary accommodation. When considering where to live during a renovation, there are several alternatives worth exploring. Some families stay with relatives, others rent an apartment for a few weeks, while some take the opportunity to spend time elsewhere if their personal or professional circumstances allow it.
Although moving out involves an additional expense, it may also help the work progress more quickly. The professionals can access every room freely without having to adapt to the schedules or needs of the residents.
For certain projects, temporarily leaving the property can even shorten the renovation timeline, as it makes it easier to coordinate the different trades involved.
If you ultimately decide to remain at home, there are several steps you can take to minimise disruption. Properly protecting personal belongings, emptying the rooms where work will take place and clearly separating the habitable areas will make the experience more manageable.
It is also advisable to agree on working hours with the renovation company and find out in advance which rooms will be available at each stage. Proper planning reduces unexpected problems and makes it easier to organise family life.
In some cases, a middle-ground solution is to remain in the property during the early stages and move out only when the most complex work begins, such as replacing utility systems or renovating the kitchen and bathrooms at the same time.
It is important to remember that every property is different. Its size, layout, number of available bathrooms and whether certain areas can be isolated will determine whether continuing to live there during the renovation is viable.
For this reason, before making a decision, it is advisable to review the project with the professionals responsible for carrying it out. Their experience will allow them to assess the expected level of disruption realistically and determine whether remaining at home during the renovation is advisable or whether temporary accommodation would be a better option.