Kitchens and bathrooms are two rooms are absolutely necessary to everyday life, and if you are going through a home remodel that includes one or both of these rooms you’re going to need to figure some things out. Here, we’ll take a look at how long and where you should plan to stay during your renovation.
The Remodel Timeline Is Important
Employing a contractor you trust is very important if you plan on staying outside the home during the remodel. Here are some things to consider:
- Make sure you and your contractor have a set timeline for the remodel and are in constant communication.
- Ask for the timeline you set to be in writing so you can plan accordingly.
- Knowing that timeline ahead of time will help you determine where you’ll stay.
Hire the Right Contractor for the Job
If you’re having bathrooms remodeled, find a contractor that is experienced in renovating bathrooms. Because of that experience, they will be able to give you a better finish time than a general home contractor.
If you do hire a general contractor, ask for some references so you can call homeowners and ask how long the job took and if they were satisfied with the timeline. Also be sure your contractor is licensed and insured before agreeing to any remodel work.
Where to Stay
Your city most likely has a lot of options if you need to stay somewhere else during a home renovation. These include:
- Home rentals – Ask a Realtor if they know of anyone that is willing to rent out their home. Be sure you can rent the home for a specific time. Don’t get stuck into three or six-month contracts.
- Hotel Suites – This is an expensive option but many hotel suites have dishes, refrigerators, full stoves, and a living area. Talk to the manager of the hotel to see if they have remodeling rates. This Old House offers up a list of hotels with affordable extended-stay rates.
- Relatives – Although this might not be the first choice, your relatives will probably allow you to stay for free if you help with groceries and utilities.
- Airbnb – Airbnb offers apartments and homes at affordable rates, and is often a cheaper option for longer-term stays..
- Rented RV – If you have the room, you can rent an RV and stay onsite. This might not be an option if you live in a city, but if you have the space, just search for rentals on Google. Keep in mind there will most likely be a cost to have an RV delivered if you can’t pick on up. If you know someone with an RV, ask to borrow it and be sure to return it in the same condition it was given to you. This option allows you to stay in close proximity to the project, despite not being able to use your normal space.
- Corporate Housing – Similar to Airbnb, Corporatehousing.com offers a list of apartments used for corporate clients or employees. These can be rented out if not in use so check the site out to see if there is availability in your area.
If You Decide to Stay
If you simply can’t leave your home, keep the following items in mind:
- Contractor’s schedule – what time will they arrive and leave each day. You’ll want to stay out of their way so the job can be done on time.
- Budget for meals, especially if you’re going through a kitchen remodel. You’ll most likely have to purchase take-out or go to a restaurant.
- Schedule bathroom remodels so you can still use a bathroom. If you are having more than one bathroom remodeled, see if you can schedule them at different times.
A good element of staying in the home is that you will be able to see the contractor is doing the work on time. If you trust your contractor, consider staying away from the home to alleviate any stress during a remodel.
