Renovating your home requires a lot of thought and planning. You had the original idea, you sought out the correct experts, and you now have a plan to move forward. One important thing to not overlook is this: can you live in your home in the midst of construction?
Let’s be honest. Home renovations are expensive. You’ve likely been planning and saving for a while to put this plan into motion. Now it’s almost “go time” and you’re realizing that you hadn’t considered where you and your family should stay during construction. Here are a few things to consider.
What’s the scope of your project?
Is your project limited to one room or area in your home that could be sectioned off from the rest of your home? Can you move out of that area easily? A guest bathroom that is rarely used except by out-of-town guests is a much different story than the master bathroom right off the bedroom where you will be needing to sleep every night. Are you refinishing or replacing floors? If so, you will likely need to move all belongings out of your home to allow that work to take place.
Do you have a place to go?
Do you have a second home in the area, or nearby family offering a spare bedroom or two? It may be worth your peace of mind to get out of the dust for a bit! At the very least, you can plan a few getaways during the project. A strategically planned “staycation” downtown or at the beach might be just what the doctor ordered. Fortunately, Charleston and Mt. Pleasant are great places to have a staycation with a large variety of places to stay and things to do! If you’ve been trying to find time to plan that long awaited family trip, doing it during the project could be a perfect solution.
What type of project are you doing?
Are you tackling a kitchen remodel? If so, it will likely be difficult to feed a family for an extended amount of time without refrigeration, appliances, and cabinetry. Is your project a bathroom remodel? Your decision may depend on how many bathrooms are in your home, and to what room the bathroom is connected. Flooring replacement or refinishing usually involves moving all furniture, rugs, and items from your floor, as well as needing to be off of the floors for a few days before walking on them or returning furniture to its original place. If your project requires painting, keep in mind that everything will need to be protected in those rooms. Consider how important this is to the flow of your daily life, and if the things you will need can easily be moved in advanced and stored somewhere else. A home addition is a project that can involve removal of walls and/or the roof of your home. Any disconnect of HVAC could make life uncomfortable during your renovation depending on the time of year when the work is occurring.
No matter what type of project you are taking on, never forget to communicate with your contractor at the beginning to explain needs, expectations, and existing plans. For example, if you always host a large family Thanksgiving at your home, have a discussion with your contractor to figure out if that is feasible and how to make it happen!
Home renovation projects are fun and exciting, but they can make the logistics of daily life a little challenging for a while. The end result is always worth it, and one you will enjoy for years to come! Give us a call today to get started!