Although many people leave during home renovations, this step is not always necessary. Some may prefer staying in their comfortable house, keeping up their old routines. Others may want to get away from the noise, mess, and disruption of a big bathroom renovation.
You’ll need to make a plan for where you’re staying, whether you remain in your home or go. This may also factor into your timeline and renovation budget. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option:
Should You Stay?
Staying at home is in many ways the easier option. You won’t need to research in-budget accommodations or ask your relatives for a favor. However, don’t underestimate how busy your house may become during a major remodel.
Pros:
You will have easy access to all of your work equipment, clothes, etc.
You’ll stay in the loop down to the minute on how this remodel is proceeding.
If a problem pops up, you’ll be one of the first people to know about it.
Some kids and pets may do better at home and with their regular routine.
You won’t have to rent a hotel room during the interim.
By watching the remodel, step by step, you can make last-minute changes as needed.
For very minor remodeling jobs such as swapping out hardware or repainting a wall, renting a hotel room may be overkill.
Cons:
If they’re re-sanding or tearing out the walls, you can expect a lot of noise and dust.
The noise during working hours could interfere with distance learning and working from home.
Those contractors may need to access a room you use frequently, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Painting and other activities can release fumes. You may be asked to leave the house for a time anyway, to let these chemicals dissipate.
Pets may get agitated by the stream of strangers in the home.
If the renovation takes place over many days, this may create a big disruption in your daily routine.
If you’re getting the bathroom renovated and only have one bathroom, it may not be practical to stay.
Should You Go?
Where can you go during a renovation? Some people rent a hotel room, either on a budget or as a splurge. Often, this may be close to their home being renovated or conveniently near work. Other people stay with friends and family, go somewhere exotic, or rent an RV.
Pros:
You and your household won’t have to deal with strangers in your space, noise, dust, etc.
Your rental room may have advantages like a gym, high-speed internet, or an easy walk to work or school.
A change of location can break you out of a rut. You may actually get more distance education or video conferencing work done in a new place.
Renovations may run longer than expected. You might end up having to get a hotel anyway.
A trusted contractor can take care of minor issues and decisions, freeing up your time.
You won’t risk any incidental contact with paint fumes or other irritants.
The work may be done faster without your family being constantly underfoot.
Cons:
This can be a significant expense, especially if you travel or stay somewhere luxurious.
The place you find that’s on-budget may not be anywhere near your work, loved ones, etc.
If you’re staying with family and the project runs long, you may overstay your welcome.
You’ll miss out on the comfort and amenities of home.
Over the long run, it may be very inconvenient to keep returning to your home during renovation to pick up clean clothes or important documents.
There’s going to be a time delay between a problem popping up and you hearing about it. This is especially true if you go on vacation somewhere.
Work With Your Contractor
If you have specific concerns, bring them up with your contractor during the planning stages. Do you really want to stay at home during the renovation? They may be able to shuffle the schedule around to make this possible.
In some cases, your contractor may be able to work on just one room at a time. This leaves space for your family to use. They may also tackle high-use areas like the kitchen during the day when everyone’s out.
Meanwhile, what if your budget is strained by the additional expense of staying somewhere else? Your contractor may have a few ideas for trimming the renovation costs. These might include:
- delaying less-vital parts of the renovation
- accelerating the schedule so you need to spend less time away from home
- sourcing more budget-friendly materials and appliances
Renovations Done Right
At Columbus Bath Design, we want your renovation to go off without a hitch. We’re a family owned and operated business proudly serving the Greater Columbus area for over two decades. Contact us today and we’ll get started on your renovation plan.
