When planning a major renovation, many homeowners assume they’ll have to move out until the work is finished, but that’s not always the case.
For many second-storey additions and extensions, it’s entirely possible to remain in your home for much of the construction.
Staying can save thousands of dollars in rent, removalist costs and the inconvenience of living elsewhere, so some builders like Addbuild will actively work with you to maximise your chances of staying home while minimising the challenges.
Yes, there will be dust, noise, potential exposure to the elements, changes to how you use your house and periods where some rooms aren’t available. However, with some preparation by us, the builder, and you, the homeowner, it’s often worth the effort and substantial cost savings.
Here are some practical steps to help you prepare before construction begins.
1. Understand Which Parts of Your Home Will Be Affected
Most major renovations don’t turn your entire home into a building site. Before work starts, ask your builder:
- Which rooms will remain usable?
- Which areas will be off-limits?
- Will services like water or electricity be interrupted? If so, when?
- Where will temporary barriers, like plastic sheeting, be installed?
Knowing what to expect and where in your home, you’ll be able to live will help you prepare both mentally and practically.
2. Create a Temporary Living Zone
Think of your house as having two sections: the construction area and your living area.
Move your everyday items – whether that’s your TV, computers, toys, medications, or your important documents – into the rooms you’ll continue using.
Keeping the things you want or need to access regularly within your living zone means you aren’t constantly walking through work areas.
3. Prepare for Dust and Maybe a Little Water
Your builder will do their best to seal your living zone from the construction area. However, no system is completely foolproof.
Fine dust has a way of finding small gaps around doors and ceilings, and if heavy rain is accompanied by strong winds, there is always the possibility that some water may find its way in.
So, before the construction work starts, safely store your sentimental and valuable items, cover furniture and remove any things like artwork that you can’t let get damaged, and protect the electronics that you need to remain with you.
Having realistic expectations and accepting that a little dust and/or water is inevitable makes the experience much less frustrating if it does happen.
And the good news is that you are working with builders! In the case of water causing any damage during construction, your builder will repair it as part of the project.
4. Plan for Your Kitchen
Depending on the extent of your project, your kitchen may be unavailable throughout the construction or even just for short periods, so you’ll want to set up a temporary kitchenette or camping kitchen.
The most essential items could include:
- Microwave and/or portable cooktop
- Kettle
- Toaster / sandwich maker
- Coffee machine
- Small fridge
- A plastic tub or two for the washing up
The key is to ensure that this is set up on a secure table given the types of items above.
5. Plan for Your Bathroom
If you’re adding a second storey, your existing bathroom may remain in use for much of the project. However, if it’s being renovated or connected to new plumbing, you’ll need to plan for temporary arrangements. In other scenarios, you won’t have access to a bathroom at all.
Talk to your builder before work begins so you understand:
- When your bathroom will be unavailable.
- How long the disruption is expected to last.
- Whether a toilet, shower or basin will remain operational at different stages.
Your builder may be able to help arrange a temporary bathroom solution, such as a portable bathroom unit, depending on the project and site conditions.
Other options include:
- Keeping a shower caddy packed with your everyday toiletries.
- Having fresh towels stored in an easy-to-access location.
- Planning shower times if multiple family members are sharing one bathroom.
- Identifying alternative shower facilities such as a local gym, swimming pool or family member’s home.
6. Adjust Your Routine
Construction usually starts early and tradespeople may arrive before 7am. Deliveries and vehicles may come and go throughout the day. To make life much smoother, it will pay dividends to anticipate how this affects your family and plan accordingly:
- Where children will get ready for school.
- Where pets will stay.
- Where you’ll work if working from home.
- Where you’ll park your vehicles.
7. Prioritise Safety
Building sites are fascinating, but they’re not playgrounds. Kids and animals don’t always follow instructions, so it’s important to discuss with your builder:
- Safe access routes.
- Fenced work areas.
- If possible, to let you know likely delivery times.
- Where pets should stay.
Some families arrange daycare for dogs, or ask relatives to help with the kids during particularly busy stages.
8. Plan for Noise
If someone in the household works from home, studies or has young children, you’ll need to have some strategies in place because there will be times when you can’t escape the sound of hammering, cutting timber, nail guns and more. Think about:
- Noise-cancelling headphones – they can help to some extent.
- Working elsewhere occasionally – the local library or cafe.
- Scheduling important online meetings away from the noisiest times.
- If young kids usually sleep during the day, finding another regular place (family, neighbour or friend with similarly aged kids) where they won’t be disturbed.
The noisy stages don’t last for the entire project, but you’ll want to have that plan in place for when the main period is happening.
9. Communicate with Your Builder
One of the biggest factors influencing how stressful a renovation feels isn’t the building work; it’s the quality of the communication with your builder. Regular communication means fewer surprises and more confidence throughout the build. So, make sure you establish:
- Who your main contact is.
- How often you’ll receive updates, and how you’ll receive them.
- Who to call if something unexpected happens.
Good communication doesn’t mean constant communication. Agree on how updates will be provided, save non-urgent questions for those conversations where possible, and contact your builder straight away if something unexpected or urgent arises.
It’s important to know what’s going on, but you don’t want to be a distraction that slows down your project unnecessarily.
10. Final Advice
It’s easy when living in a stressful situation at a stressful time to lose perspective and forget the ‘why’ on your project.
There will inevitably be moments when the noise, dust and disruption push the limits of your patience. When that happens, remind yourself of what you’re working towards – a home that finally suits your family and sets you and them up for the future.
Everything that irks you will be over sooner than you think, and our clients tell us it delivers a result that will give you years of satisfaction.
Are You Planning A Major Renovation?
If you are considering expanding your home, we’d love to hear from you. As a ‘concept-to-completion‘ builder, we can design you plans and handle the development application process on your behalf, as well as construct your project.
For more than 45 years, Addbuild has helped homeowners create their dream home while living there during construction wherever practical, saving the substantial cost of moving out.
Call our office on (02) 8765 1555 or send us a message using our contact form if outside of office hours.
If you are still researching, as well as our blog, have a look at our consumer guide to home improvement and masterclass to get further ideas about every aspect of renovating your home. Or check out our featured projects and ‘before and after’ photos.