Tips: Living In The Home During Ongoing Construction

Some might call it a homeowner's nightmare, living in a home undergoing alteration, especially if there are major construction works. However, many do brave the hassles and inconvenience to remain in their homes. When planning major home renovations, a lot needs to be considered before deciding whether or not to move out or stay put. The brave few who stay in their home during home construction work can expect a considerable amount of disruption to their daily lives. The constant noise and the relentless dust can be an ongoing irritant and it piles up everywhere. The worst time to endure is during demolition if walls are coming down, floor-coverings (especially tiles) are coming up and cabinetry is being removed. This is when dust and debris reign, and there is constant noise.

Living in the Home During Demolition can be Challenging

With a construction team turning up for work each morning, you will need to get used to early morning starts and there will be all sorts of workmen trudging through your house all day. There will be sleepless nights of worry as your mind constantly checks off all the things that need to be done, ordered, delivered, and all those unexpected hold-ups and hiccups that throw a spanner in the works when you least expect it. And don't expect to have a leisurely, restful weekend to recuperate! You will be cleaning, sanding, painting, measuring, making purchases, chasing supplies and materials, trying to cook family meals on a camp stove and going to the neighbors to use the bathroom.

If doors, windows or external walls are being removed, parts of your home will become open to the elements. Hopefully this is just a brief stage, and everything is promptly sealed up again. But until then, you may be subjected to incursions of wind and wet weather. And it could prove a challenge to maintain heating. If you live in a hot climate, you will find it difficult to cool the house while it is open.

Does Home Construction Become any Easier?

Once demolition is completed and rebuilding gets underway the dust can be tamed and the noise at least becomes intermittent. Most homeowners retreat to whichever part of the home is not involved in the reconstruction. Stack all your belongings and furniture in these parts of the house to keep them out of the way of construction works. However, this can mean you are continually tripping over stacks of household items piled up in every corner.

Piling all your belongings up in the unaffected parts of the house also means you can never put your hands on anything you are looking for because those will be the items buried the deepest. Right from the beginning of your renovations, you will need to be constantly wary and proactive about managing site safety. Put sensible rules into place about restricted access to work areas and moving around the construction work, particularly if you have children

Here are some of the downsides you can expect if you choose to remain living in the home for the duration.

·       Dust and debris get into everything

·       Wet weather coming inside

·       The constant noise

·       Lack of sleep

·       Early morning starts

·       Safety issues

·       Navigating your home wreckage

·       Energy demands for heating/cooling

·       No more free time

·       Loss of sanity

Is There any Advantage to Remaining in a Home under Construction?

Take heart, there are some solid advantages in remaining on-site during ongoing construction. Despite the drawbacks of living in a house under renovation, here are some positives to cling to:

·      Save money on alternative accommodation

·      On the spot for consultation

·      Monitor daily progress

·      Home security

·      Insurance requirement

·      Get the job done quicker

Arranging alternative accommodation can become expensive. Even if you decide to rent for the duration, short-term rentals are hard to come by. Most landlords want longer term leases for their rental properties. Hotel or motel accommodation can quickly add up and living with relatives to save some money can sometimes be awkward or downright difficult particularly if you are a family with a few children in the equation.

Being there in the house on a daily basis, you may be able to build better communication channels with your contractor. You are in a better position to keep your finger on the pulse, and you can be on the spot if any snap decisions need to be made. This speedy response time may help get the job done quicker and bring the project to earlier completion.

Crucial Security Tips During Home Renovations

Do not overlook the issue of security. When a house is being renovated, walls, doors or windows may be missing at least for a short time, and the home is vulnerable. Theft from building sites is rife and having someone living on the premises will ensure better security. Also, there is often a clause in a home insurance contract that the home must not be left vacant, for example for no longer than30 days.

Home Renovation Survival Tip 

While living onsite is not going to be easy, preparing yourself mentally is a good first step. There are some practical measures you can take to get yourself "renovation ready".

·                Plastic sheeting everywhere

·                Keep areas closed off

·                Rules on avoiding work areas

·                Stack belongings in unaffected areas

·                Adopt alternative cooking and bathroom strategies

Plastic sheeting will become your friend. Use it to cover as much of your belongings as possible to protect furnishings and furniture from dust and debris. If the house is open to the weather, plastic sheeting will prove invaluable. Keeping doors in unaffected parts of the house firmly shut will help keep much of the building grime and dirt out. This will also help considerably with your increased energy costs during home construction. You can manage heating and cooling better if the area you and your family are relegated to can be sealed off from the parts of the house under renovation. Despite the risk to your sanity, with a bit of foresight and discipline, it is possible to remain on-site during house construction.