Renovating your home is exciting, but it can also become a big project, requiring a lot of time and, of course, a lot of the space you typically live in. Some homeowners will live elsewhere during the refurbishment, be that in a hotel or staying with loved ones, but for many, that isn’t a realistic option.
If you’re choosing to live in your home while you renovate it, there are a few things you’ll need to remember to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. In this blog, we’ll go through each one.
Preparing to live in a construction zone
So, you’ve decided to renovate, but how do you prep your home so it remains inhabitable?
Organise and plan
Sitting down and taking a beat to come up with a game plan is always a good place to start. List everything that needs to be done and what rooms will be affected to ensure you know what’s coming and how to approach it.
Will you need to zone off an area to live in, or will there be rooms that will be left as is? Will you need to set up a temporary cooking section, or will you need to use portaloos for a couple of weeks? What planning permissions will you need? Make sure you know everything you’ll need before starting a single part of this project.
You’ll also have to bear in mind that your timeline will have to adapt to you living there, as this can slow down the process.
We recommend planning for the upcoming weather too (which is always temperamental in the UK), as this may halt your plans. If there is work going into your roof, you may not want to be living under it, especially in the winter.
Budget
You’ve most likely already considered the costs of the project itself, but make sure you bear in mind what you’ll need to buy when living comfortably in your home during this time. You can do this by listing the cost of everything before buying or, if you think this project will be more unpredictable, making sure you have a little bit of cash put aside for any surprises.
Think about security
There may be nights that your builders have to leave parts of your home fairly exposed. Keep your valuables like passports and jewellery in a safe or off-site location and keep track of who’s allowed on site during the renovation. A good security system and motion sensors on your driveway can also put your mind at ease.
Contractors and builders may need access to your home when you’re not there; instead of handing out multiple keys, try a lockbox with a changeable code that has spare keys in it. You can also ask the construction crew not to leave items like ladders outside of your house overnight to further increase your security.
You’ll need to let your home insurer know if builders have keys to your home or the site will be left unoccupied during this period, as this may impact your cover.
Consider your wellbeing
The outcome will be worth it, but living on a renovation site can be stressful. Only do so if you know your lifestyle can adapt and you know you can avoid any health issues. If you can’t live there while avoiding excess dust or something like asbestos, it may not be the right choice.
Utilise storage
You will probably have quite a lot of pieces of furniture or decor that will need to be moved or relocated while you renovate. You may be able to use temporary storage in your home for smaller items or move them to a different room, but for larger possessions, you might need to use a storage unit. Getting this sorted before the project starts will save a lot of stress in the long run.
Sort your WFH set-up
These days, many of us work from home for at least part of our week. A renovation project may conflict with your working hours, so you may have to schedule your time accordingly or move to another work location. If all else fails, never underestimate the power of noise-cancelling headphones.
Prepare your pets
Refurbishment will most certainly impact your furry (or not-so-furry) friends, especially if they may be used to roaming free in your space, like cats and dogs. It will disturb their routine and could even cause some behavioural issues, so you will need to consider this.
If your pet becomes especially nervous, it might be best that they stay with friends or family during the project, or you could arrange a pet-sitter. They may also take time to adjust to their new surroundings once everything is complete, so patience will be key.
Plan for the cold
You may not have full walls or doors removed but there will be more ventilation which might leave you a little chilly. Wrap up warm or look into safe, temporary heaters that you can use.
What to expect during the project
Having a construction crew in your home will take some time to adjust to. You’ll have to make sure you don’t prevent them from getting the job done safely, so stay in communication with them throughout the process.
They’ll most likely move through your home in controlled zones, so expect to be asked to move your living location at least once during the renovation process.
A large-scale renovation project will normally follow this timeline:
- Initial structural work – 4-12 weeks
- Fixing the electrics and plumbing – 1-3 weeks
- Plastering – 1-2 weeks
- Sorting the kitchen and bathrooms – 4-8 weeks
- Floors and joinery – 2-4 weeks
- Decorating – 1-2 weeks
Be prepared for the possibility of losing power temporarily and ensure you’re getting regular progress updates from the team.
Top tips for living at home during a renovation
- Vacuum regularly (with a HEPA filter vacuum) and purchase an air purifier to tackle the dust
- Use plastic sheeting and zip doors to protect your living space
- Set up a mini kitchen in your living space with small appliances like a toaster, kettle or maybe even an air fryer
- Make sure to have extra bins available for the increase in waste from you and the builders
- Install more smoke alarms in your home, just in case
- Make sure you, your family and the builders always have clear escape routes out of the house
- Have children or unwell family members stay with loved ones during the more intense, loud and dust-producing parts of the renovation
- Purchase easy-to-clean, slip-on shoes like Crocs to wear indoors to avoid getting slippers and socks dirty
Lastly, why not document each part of the project? It can be a great way of reflecting on progress you’ve made and will remind you of why you’re doing it.
Insuring your property correctly during a home renovation
You will need to inform your home insurance provider that you are renovating your home before you start the project. At Adrian Flux, we can help you find the right home renovation insurance for your needs so you can focus on the task at hand.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a swift, no-hassle quote or book a callback at a time that suits you.
