Should You Stay or Move Out During Your Renovation?
We would like to share with you the pros and cons of living on site vs renting as we have done both over the last 15 years of renovating houses.
Every project and every family is different. Here are the key pros & cons to help you decide what works best for you:
✅ Staying in the Home
Pros
Cost-saving, avoid paying rent elsewhere and allocate that money to furnishings and decoration
Stay involved, easier to make quick decisions on finishes & changes if located on site
See progress daily, great if you enjoy watching the transformation and understanding what the project will look like as it develops.
Cons
Noise & dust is going to get everywhere (even with the best protection measures). I used to tape round the doors of finished rooms but the dust would still manage to carry through to them.
Disruption to daily life, routines, pets, kids. Animals and children can feel quite unsettled and sleep might be disturbed if you have the house open for windows and bi folds to be put in.
Limited access to certain rooms (kitchen/bathroom phases can be tricky!) Creating a temporary kitchen is really important for when the original is removed.
Longer build time in some cases due to working around occupants, moving of furniture and belongings can make the timescales longer.
🚚 Moving Out During the Build
Pros
Less stress & disruption , normal life continues outside of the site and routines remain unscathed especially important if you are someone that likes to maintain consistency.
Faster progress, easier access for the build team, less worry about damaging furniture etc.
Safety & comfort, especially useful for families with young children or pets.
Cleaner environment, dust & noise stay on site.
Cons
Additional cost, rent/temporary accommodation combined with a deposit can add up quickly along with council tax and extra utilities.
Less day-to-day visibility (though we keep clients updated!)
Logistics, moving belongings, arranging temporary living space. This along with getting your project started might seem like a lot of work.
Our Top Tip
If your project involves major structural work, kitchen/bathroom removal, or utilities interruptions, moving out often makes life smoother. But for smaller extensions or refurbishments, staying can work well with good planning. We can organise temporary kitchens and these can be done cost effectively.