Moving out during renovation – why, where, and how

So, you finally have the time and the means to renovate your house and turn it into your dream home. The plans are made, the required permits are obtained, the budget is set, the materials are ordered, and the contractors are booked. Only one issue remains to be resolved – where are you going to live during the renovation works? Will you stay at your home or move out?

Both options have considerable advantages and disadvantages, but moving out is usually the better choice when it comes to major renovation projects – it will allow you to live in a more comfortable environment, while giving your contractors the room they need to complete the job in a safe and efficient way.

Moving out during home renovation, however, will add to the cost and complexity of the project – you will need to find temporary living accommodations for you and your family and a temporary storage solution for your items. It will cost you and will cause a lot of hassle. You need to be well informed and well prepared in order to make the best possible choices and ensure your smooth renovation experience. 

Here are some expert tips for moving out during renovation to help you succeed in your endeavor.

Should you move out or live-in during renovation?

Do I have to move out during renovation? This is likely going to be one of the first questions you’ll ask yourself when you start planning your home remodeling strategy.

The short answer is no, you don’t have to move out, but you may want to, especially if you’re making a major remodel.

It will be inconvenient and you’ll have to put up with a lot of noise and dust, but you can stay in your home during the renovation process, monitor the pace and the quality of the work, and save yourself the hassle of moving into temporary housing. Yet, not only will the renovations disrupt your daily life, but you may get in the way of the progress, too.

To determine if it will be better to stay in your home during the remodel or move out for a while, you need to consider several important factors:

1) The scope of the project

If you’re renovating only one room or a small area of your home, you won’t be able to use that space until the project is completed, but you will still be able to go about your daily routine without much disruption. You won’t need to move out.

If you’re doing a complete gut renovation, however, there will be demolition and construction taking place and large portions of your home will be unusable for weeks or even months. In such a case, you’ll need to temporarily live somewhere else – and will have to take most (or all) of your items out of the house as well.

2) The affected areas

If you’re remodeling the attic or adding a deck to your home, the lack of access to these areas won’t cause too much inconvenience. Renovation work that includes half of your house, affects all of the bathrooms, or necessitates interruption of the electrical and plumbing services, however, will make it impossible to live normally in your home.

3) The duration of the project

You may be able to put up with the noise and inconveniences of renovation for a week or so, but if the job will take over a month, it will be better to find alternative living accommodations.

4) Yours and your family’s health and safety

A home under renovation creates a risky, unhealthy environment. There are building materials, tools, ladders, and debris throughout the renovation area, the hammering and drilling is extremely disturbing, and heating or cooling the home may be impossible. Construction work can stir up old toxins, bring new ones in, generate dust, and pose various hazards to the occupants of the home.

It is very dangerous for kids and pets to be around a construction site and the dust and toxins can seriously impact the health of everyone in the house (especially children, elderly adults, and people with chronic conditions). Moving out while renovating will allow you to avoid any associated risks to yours and your family’s safety and well-being.

5) The financial implications

Moving out during renovation will add extra expenses to your already strained budget – you’ll have to pay for temporary housing, temporary storage, and the required related services and materials (packing materials for your items, transportation to a storage facility, etc.). Yet, it may actually be the cheaper option.

If you stay at home, the renovation will take longer as your contractor will have to work around your schedule – that is extra time you’re paying for (not to mention the longer lasting inconvenience). The renovation crew will be a lot more productive if they work in an unoccupied house, so your project will warp-up much more efficiently if you move out during the remodel.

Besides, charges are usually higher for remodeling projects where homeowners decide to stay – to cover additional costs for site protection, daily cleanup, and the rush to finish mechanical work quickly so that plumbing and electrical services aren’t interrupted.

Therefore, it may be more cost-effective to pay for temporary housing than to cover the additional expenses incurred by staying on site.

Other issues such as cleaning, cooking, maintaining kids’ routines, working from home, etc. should also be taken into account when deciding whether to stay at home or move out during renovation. Your and your family’s comfort and peace of mind shouldn’t be neglected either.

All things considered, moving out during the home renovation process can save you time, money, and lots of headaches.

Where to stay when renovating your house

If you decide to move out of your home during the remodel, you’ll have to arrange for temporary accommodation and storage.

Temporary housing during home renovation

When moving out for a remodel you have several options:

1. Staying with family or friends – If you have family in town, moving in with them for a while is your most economical and most beneficial temporary living solution. Living with close friends is also a good option, but only for a short period – otherwise, it might put a strain on your friendship;
2. Staying at a hotel – If you feel uncomfortable bothering family and friends, you can always book a few weeks at an extended stay hotel. It won’t be cheap, but it will be really convenient. Suites usually include a full kitchen and a large living room and offer a home-like living environment;
3. Moving into temporary rental accommodation – If your renovation project will take more than a couple of months or you have a large family and pets, temporary rental homes are your best bet. They provide space and comfort, include all the necessary amenities, and offer the ambiance of a real home. You can rent an apartment or a small home, use AirBnB, HomeAway, or similar home renting service, etc. – it will be easy to find a suitable place for your family’s needs. And you can get a really good deal – temporary lodgings often have discounted rates for extended stays and vacation rentals are usually quite affordable.

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the best temporary housing option for you and your family:

• The duration of your temporary stay;
• Your housing needs – space, amenities, pets, etc.;
• The location of the temporary lodgings (proximity to your workplace and your children’s school);
• The cost you’re willing to pay.

When arranging temporary accommodation, you also need to think about what you’re going to do with your subscriptions, whether you’ll cut the TV, phone, and internet services to your home while it’s under renovation, etc.

Temporary storage during home renovation

When remodeling your home, you need to take everything out of the project areas before work can begin – to give your contractor a clean space to work and to prevent damage to your items during the renovation process.

Depending on the scale of the project and the number and type of items in the areas that are to be renovated, you can:

• Store everything in a separate room in your home that won’t be affected by the renovation works (such as the garage, the basement, or a spare bedroom). This storage room has to be safely locked and tightly sealed against dust;
• Rent a portable storage container. A strong insulated container of the appropriate size will be delivered to your home and left at your disposal. After you load your items inside, you can have the pod stored away at the company’s facility (it will be returned after the remodel is complete) or keep it at your property so you have access to your belongings at any time;
• Rent a self-storage unit. It won’t be difficult to find a suitable storage unit in a nearby storage facility that can be rented on a month-to-month basis. Yet, you’ll not only need to pack your items for storage, but will also have to find a way to transport them to the storage facility (load up your own car, rent a moving truck, or hire movers). (See also: How to choose a self-storage unit)

Tips for moving out during renovation

Once you’ve made the decision to move out during your home remodel and arranged temporary accommodation and storage, it’s time to prepare for the actual move:

• Declutter your home and get rid of everything you no longer need or want in your home. The fewer items you need to store away, the cheaper storage will be – and everything will be much easier (packing, finding a storage solution, transporting your belongings, etc.). Besides, you’ll likely want to buy new things for your renovated home anyway;
• Decide what to take into your temporary home – check what’s already available in your temporary lodgings and decide what else you’re going to need and which of your items you want to have with you. Pack the things you’re going to take along separately from the items that will be put into storage;
• Take your essentials and valuables with you – When moving into temporary housing, don’t forget to take your documents, medications, toiletries, season-appropriate clothes and shoes, small electronic devices, kids’ essential items (including games and toys), pets’ items, and other essentials with you. Do not leave any valuables (jewelry, artwork, expensive electronics, items of high sentimental value, etc.) in your house during the renovation process – either take them with you or store them in a safe place;
• Book trustworthy movers to help you move into your temporary home and take your items to storage;
• Visit your home once or twice a week to see the progress of the renovation process and make sure everything is going according to plan. Stay in touch with your contractor the entire time, so you can answer questions, note concerns, and discuss issues as they arise (if you plan a vacation, make sure you’re not away throughout the whole remodel).

Home remodeling is as demanding as it is exciting – moving out of the house during the renovation will save you much of the stress and inconveniences associated with the project and will allow you to turn your living place into your dream home much more quickly and easily. You will have a pleasant living experience and will return to a picture-perfect home. Best of luck with your renovation project!