Living on-site during a renovation can be a unique adventure—full of excitement as you watch your home transform, but also with challenges as you navigate the mess and noise. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can make this period as comfortable as possible.
Here’s a practical guide to help you get through the renovation while still living on-site.
Expect Disruptions
Construction can be noisy and messy, and you might have limited access to certain parts of your home, or facilities. Expect disruptions to your daily routines and think about how you will work around these disruptions.
Make a Plan
Before the renovation kicks off, a little planning goes a long way! Chat with your contractor to get a clear idea of how long the project will take—this will help you make the right arrangements and keep expectations realistic.
Pre planning meals for easy reheating and organising a weekly dinner out with friends or family can help if your Kitchen will not be in full commission.
If your bathroom will be out of commission, arranging to use other facilities or hire a portable unit will help make the construction time easier.
Define Your Living Space
Think about how to make your day-to-day life comfortable during the renovation. Plan ahead for where you'll sleep, eat, and bathe. And don’t forget about your furry friends! Make sure they have a cozy spot away from all the action so they feel safe and happy too.
Create designated Construction free zones to relax and have normality, set it up before any demolition begins. These zones may move as the construction work changes areas.
Clear the Construction Area
Remove any furniture, decor, or personal items from the construction zone. This will help keep them safe from damage and make it easier for the builders to do their job efficiently.
Maintain Reutine
Try to keep your routine as normal as possible. Even if your living space has changed, your daily habits don’t have to. Avoid falling into the "takeout every night" trap. Keep up with your workouts, cook your own meals when you can, and stick to a good sleep schedule to keep you feeling your best during the renovation.
Prepare for Dust, Noise, and Disruption
Living on-site during renovation means dealing with dust, noise, and constant activity. Here are some tips to manage:
Dust Managment
Measures can be taken where possible to contain the dust to minimize its impact. Talk to your builders abous sealing off doorways and use temporary barriers to keep dust confined.
Noise Management:
Noise will be a big factor, especially during demolition or heavy construction phases. Consider planning activities out of the house during the noisiest times, like visiting friends, and set regular start and finish times so you can have the evenings in piece and quiet.
Be Mindful
When you live on site you will see the day to day runnings of a building site. Be mindful that delays and changes to the timeline are a very usual part of the process. If something doesn’t happen on the day it was supposed to, don’t panic. Your contractors are used to juggling tasks and expecting the unexpected, they will be greatfull for your paitence.
Take breaks
Plan outings or dinners out with friends during the renovation process. This will give you time away from the site. A trip away or house sitting for a week are also great ways to access a full kitchen if your Kitchen is out of action.
Safety First
Safety is crucial when you’re living on-site. Your home will be a mix of living space and construction zone, which comes with inherent risks:
Renovation zones are full of potential hazards—nails, sharp tools, overhead hazards, and heavy equipment. Set clear boundaries for children and pets, and ensure they stay out of the work area.
Tools, electrical wires, and building materials can pose dangers if left unattended. Try to stay clear of tools and equiptment and avoid walking through the work area without the builder’s consent.
Communicate with Your Builder
Good communication with your builder will make living on-site much smoother:
Have a quick daily check-in with your builder. This helps you understand what’s happening each day, any upcoming work that might affect your comfort, and any changes that need discussing.
Discuss Changes Promptly
If you decide to make changes to the original plan, inform the builder as soon as possible. Be prepared for changes in cost and schedule, as these may require a variation to the contract.
Notification
If there is a reasen the usual work schedule needs to change, you need to give your builder addiquate notice, otherwise there may be bookings that can not be changed to accomidate your requirements.
Expect the Unexpected
No renovation is without surprises. Flexibility is key when things don’t go exactly to plan:
Budget for Contingencies:
Be prepared for unforeseen expenses. Setting aside a contingency budget (typically around 10-15%) will help manage unexpected costs.
Adjust Your Expectations:
There may be times when things don’t go as planned—delays can happen, and materials might take longer to arrive. Flexibility and patience will go a long way in keeping stress levels down.
Maintaining Good Relations with Builders
Respect their Work Environment
Construction zones can be hazardous. Always follow the builder's guidance about entering work areas, and avoid interrupting workers their process.
Ensure builders have access to basic amenities like electricity, water, and restroom facilities. This helps keep work efficient and moving smoothly.
And remember to treat workers respectfully.
Celebrate progress and focus on the finished product
The renovation process can feel overwhelming when you’re living in the midst of it, but keeping your eyes on the prize helps:
Things change.
Go into the renovation with this at the forefront of your mind. Though you will be eager to get the renovations completed, there will be challenges along the way. If you expect it, it makes it easier to deal with when it happens. Patience, patience, patience.
Celebrate Small Wins and Visualize the End Result.
Celebrate when stages are complete—like when the framing is done, the walls are up, or the flooring, and planning for the next step will help the time pass faster.
Adapt to the Adventure:
Living through construction isn’t easy, but a positive mind-set can make all the difference. Embrace the adventure, and if you can, try to find some humour in the chaos.
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