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How to Get Through a Live-In Renovation
- Bill Zhao
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
If your home is about to go through some changes, you’ve probably put some thought into where you’ll be living during the works. Not everyone has extended family ready to accommodate them, or the extra budget to spend on temporary living. Depending on the scale of works, you may be able to save money and avoid waking up to an unfamiliar ceiling by choosing to stay at home while works complete.
Can I Live-In During this Renovation?Â
Before anything begins, figure out whether or not you need to leave your home. Look at where the scale extends to: if you’re doing a full home renovation or otherwise have all your bedrooms and bathrooms out of commission, you’re likely looking at finding a new place to sleep unless you have a granny flat sitting conveniently in your yard. If the work is partial, such as a kitchen, bathroom, or living space, you’ll probably be able to sit it out, and here are some of the best tips for doing so:
Clear Navigation
It’s a great idea to plan your daily routine in advance for when construction happens. Think about the affected area and how it affects your routing around the house. Make sure you have unobstructed access to a bathroom, living area, and your kitchen (if it isn’t the target of works). Communicate with the builder about where their workers can and cannot go. If it’s your kitchen that’s out of commission, bring your microwave and fridge to the family space, along with a camping stove. Add some furniture, utensils, and tableware, you can set up your very own mini kitchen!
Managing Sound
We’ve all heard the nuisance of neighbouring construction noise. While you many not be able to ask the workers to turn down their tools, you can effectively tune them out for you and your family. A lifesaver when it comes to international flights, having a pair of noise-cancelling headphones is perfect for sealing away the buzz & bustle of renovation while enjoying your tunes at the same time. If not, earplugs are also a great option.
Tackling Clutter
Since you’ll be clearing away goods from the renovation space, you can take this time to decide what will stay with you into the new room. It’s a perfect time to undertake some overdue spring cleaning and your home will feel lighter for it. Invest in a few storage boxes to hold temporary items, as well as for stowing away objects you’re still on the fence about parting with. Also, expect quite a bit of dust during the works – move or cover furniture to keep them pristine!
Proper Planning
Communication is what makes or breaks the renovation experience. Having the builder on the same page can save you from considerable headaches down the line. Be sure to get a detailed list of works as well as a schedule. This can show you exactly when you can expect works to take place, and what’s to be done. From here you can analyse if anything has been left out of the scope. Getting this sorted early can save you from a rude awakening – both literally and figuratively.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
The best way to avoid the dust and noise of construction work is to escape it. While spending all day away isn’t always an option, taking an afternoon trip is perfect for forgetting about the chaos. It’s an essential way of finding normalcy and resetting the mind. Taking a break and enjoying some fresh air can do wonders for making time fly.
By living at home, you can save money and watch each stage of the work complete. With proper planning and setup, you can make the renovation process not just tolerable, but fun. It can provide you with a new experience and a fresh perspective while counting down to a brand-new space.
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