Living Through a Renovation: Must Know Tips

Good news! You can keep your life moving forward and make progress on your home renovation project simultaneously. As a dedicated renovation company, we have worked with numerous clients who have different thoughts when it comes to staying or leaving during a renovation process.

There are various factors involved in this decision. If you are considering a complete home gut renovation, living on-site might be a bit challenging. However, if you are only renovating certain parts, it becomes more feasible. But why would anybody want to live through a renovation? Well, it can be tough, no doubt, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to witness the transformation of your dream home while saving money on rent.

In this article, we are excited to share some renovation tips that will make living through a renovation easier for you. So keep reading!

Plan Ahead

Living through a renovation can be both exciting and daunting. To ensure a smoother experience, you need to plan ahead.

First, communicate openly with your contractor about project timelines; this is something  we emphasize at Matrix.  Evaluate the scope of the renovation project thoroughly to set realistic expectations and prepare for potential inconveniences. Having a clear understanding of the renovation phases allows you to organize your daily life accordingly.

Most importantly, prepare yourself emotionally for the journey ahead. Living through a renovation can be an emotional rollercoaster, but staying positive and focused on the beautiful outcome will make the experience more bearable.

Move Your Belongings Out of Way

Another important consideration while living through a renovation is protecting your belongings from potential damage or disruption. Start by putting everything you need during the home renovation in a designated, out-of-the-way place.  This will help protect them from construction damage and keep the area clear for the workers.

For other belongings that will not be needed during the renovation, consider renting a Storage Unit such as a PODS storage unit. It is a convenient and secure solution that allows you to store your possessions off- or on-site. This allows you to free up valuable space in your home, minimize clutter, and safeguard your items until the renovation is complete.

For more information about PODS and how they can benefit your home renovation project, click here.

Set up Temporary Arrangements

Living through a renovation does not mean you have to give up on comfort and convenience. You can still make your home livable while all the construction is going on.

First things first, pick one room in your home that will be your safe haven. Keep it clean and free from all the renovation work. It will be your little retreat where you can relax, even when everything else seems messy.

Next, consider creating a temporary kitchen and bathroom to cover your everyday needs while the main ones are being worked on. You can set them up in another part of your home out of the way.

Living through a renovation for a few months can be a bit tricky, but if you plan it smartly, you can make it much more comfortable and hassle-free. Here at Matrix, we get it, and we have experience in setting up temporary living arrangements.

Let me tell you about Maribeth, one of our clients. She really wanted to stay in her home during the renovation, and we made it happen by creating a temporary kitchen and bathroom for her. She loved it! Maribeth said, “Living here while they were working was supposed to be tough, but Matrix made it easy. I wasn’t working around them. They were working around me.”

Ensure Safety

So, you decided to live through a renovation.  Don’t forget about safety, especially if you have kids, pets, or older family members living with you. You want everyone to stay safe and sound during all the construction chaos, right? Here are some tips to make sure of that:

• Create a special safe area in your home, away from all the construction tools and materials. Think of it as a protected zone where kids, pets, and the elderly can hang out without any worries.

• Use safety gates to block off any dangerous areas where it is not safe to go. Such as any areas with heavy machinery or sharp tools.
• Keep talking to your contractor about your family situation. Let them know about the kids, pets, and older family members, so they can be extra careful if they are home.
• Try to plan noisy jobs when the family is out of the house. Being out means they will not be bothered by all the noise.
• Store anything hazardous in a safe place. Make sure it is out of the reach of kids and pets.
• If things get really intense, you may have to temporarily move somewhere else until that part of the renovation is done. Safety first, right?

Here at Matrix, we totally get how important safety is during home renovations. We will work with you to make sure all these safety measures are in place. That way, everyone can be secure and comfortable while we work on creating your dream home.

Be Prepared for Some Inconvenience

Living through a renovation can be a bit of a hassle with all the noise, dust, and chaos going on. Dust can be a real problem, especially if you have little kids or someone with allergies or breathing issues at home. It is tough to stop dust from being generated during renovation work, but there are things you can do to make it less bothersome. One way is to put up temporary walls and cover up vents in the construction area. This helps stop dust and debris from getting into your HVAC system and spreading throughout the rest of your house.

Dealing with the noise can be difficult too, but if you talk to your contractor, they can try to schedule the loudest jobs when you are not around. This will minimize disruptions to your daily routine.

Just remember, living through a renovation means dealing with these inconveniences, so keep in mind this is temporary.  It might not be a breeze, but the end result will be worth it!

Maintain Good Communication with the Renovation Team

Maintaining good communication with your contractors and workers is super important when you are going through a home renovation. Your renovation team becomes part of your home life during the project. Your contractor will take your needs into consideration when scheduling the work crew and managing the project.

Most likely you will see the same team members working on your project as you go about your daily routine. They will be around when you are getting ready for school or work and when you come home in the afternoon. But don’t worry, if you establish a good relationship and talk openly with them, it will not feel like they are invading your space.

At Matrix, we value good communication with our clients. We treat them like family, and we are not just saying that. Our goal is to make sure you feel comfortable and happy throughout the home renovation journey. In fact, one of our clients, Maribeth, said, “With Matrix, it felt like I was working with friends rather than a company.” That is the kind of experience we strive to provide to all our clients!

Be Patient

Patience is of the essence when you are living through a renovation. Home renovations can be exciting, but they can also test your patience. With all the noise, dust, and changes happening around you, you need to stay calm and trust the process.

Remember, good things take time, and a home renovation is no exception. It may feel like the project is overwhelming, but quality work requires careful planning and attention to detail. A renovation team like Matrix is dedicated to delivering the best results. Trust them, communicate any concerns you may have, and be open to any necessary adjustments along the way.

Final Words

In a nutshell, living through a renovation comes with its challenges, but by staying positive and choosing the right renovation contractor, the experience can be tolerable. While moving out during the renovation is the best option, if possible, we understand that it may not always be feasible.

In such cases, don’t worry!  Enjoy the opportunity to spend time with your “new friends”. Embrace the changes happening around you and stay patient throughout the journey.  Remember, the end result will be a beautiful and improved living space for you and your family.

If you are looking for renovation friends in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas, look no further than the Matrix Team. We are your trusted 203(k) and HomeStyle loan contractor and we would be more than happy to accompany you on this exciting home renovation journey. Join our family and together we will make your dream home a reality. Contact us today via our FREE Consultation Service.