Can You Live at Home During a Remodel? A Rockville Homeowner’s Guide
One of the first things Rockville homeowners ask us is whether they can stay in the house while we work. The short answer is yes, most of the time. Living at home during a remodel is very doable with the right plan. However, it depends on the size of the project, which rooms are involved, and how your family uses the house day to day.
When Living at Home During a Remodel Works Well
Most families stay home for single-room projects. For example, a bathroom remodel is easy to live with if you have a second bathroom. A basement finish is also simple, since the work happens away from your main living space. Flooring, painting, door, and window projects usually move room by room, so you only give up one area at a time.
When You Might Want to Stay Somewhere Else
Some projects are harder to live through. A whole-home remodel, a project that shuts off water or power for long stretches, or work in your only bathroom can make daily life tough. If someone in your home has asthma or a breathing condition, dust and fumes may also be a concern. In these cases, a few nights with family or a short rental can make the toughest phase much easier.
How to Live Through a Kitchen Remodel
A kitchen remodel is the project that tests families the most. Still, many of our clients stay home and do fine. Here’s what helps:
- Set up a temporary kitchen. A folding table, microwave, coffee maker, toaster oven, and mini fridge in the dining room or garage go a long way.
- Plan simple meals. Sheet-pan dinners, slow cooker meals, and grilling outside keep you from eating takeout every night.
- Use paper plates. Without a kitchen sink, washing dishes in the bathroom gets old fast.
- Ask about timing. We can often keep your old fridge running in another room until the new one arrives.
Learn more about our kitchen renovation process and what each phase looks like.
How We Keep Your Home Livable
When you live at home during a remodel, the way your contractor works matters as much as the finished result. At Real Time Home Improvement, we:
- Seal off the work area with plastic dust barriers and zip doors
- Cover floors along the path from the door to the work area
- Agree on work hours ahead of time, so you know when to expect noise
- Clean up at the end of every workday
- Give you a schedule and keep you updated as it changes
Tips for Families With Kids and Pets
Construction areas aren’t safe for little ones or curious pets. First, choose one room as a quiet zone and keep it off-limits to work. Next, talk to your kids about which areas are closed. Then, plan for pets on loud days, such as demolition or tile cutting. Some owners use doggy daycare or keep pets in a closed room with a fan or radio running.
Protect Your Belongings
Even with good dust control, fine dust can travel. Before work starts, move valuables, electronics, and artwork out of nearby rooms. In addition, cover furniture you can’t move, and change your HVAC filter more often while the project is underway.
Plan the Schedule Around Your Life
If you have a big event coming up, like a holiday or a graduation party, tell us early. We can often plan the messiest phases around it. Also, ordering materials before demolition starts keeps the time your home is torn up as short as possible.
Thinking About Home Remodeling in Rockville?
We’ve helped many families stay comfortable at home while we remodel their kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. If you’re planning home remodeling in Rockville or anywhere in Montgomery County, we’ll talk through how to keep your household running during the work.
Request your free estimate or call (240) 485-8797 to get started.
One thought on “Can You Live at Home During a Remodel? A Rockville Homeowner’s Guide”
Comments are closed.