Living Through a Renovation, How to Prepare Your Home, Family, and Sanity

Renovating your home is exciting, but living through it can be a challenge if you are not prepared.

Noise, dust, trades coming and going, and parts of your home being unavailable can add stress without the right planning. With clear expectations and good communication, renovations can still run smoothly.

That said, not all renovations are equal when it comes to living in the home during construction.

Understanding the Scope and Level of Disruption

Before any renovation begins, it is important to understand:

• Which rooms will be under construction

• Whether utilities like water or power may be interrupted

• How long each phase of work is expected to take

For smaller renovations, living in the home is often very manageable with proper dust control and staging.

For full-scale renovations, the reality is different.

Living In vs Temporary Housing for Full Renovations

For larger renovations, especially full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, or structural changes, we often recommend temporary housing when possible.

In many cases, this approach is more cost-effective, efficient, and better overall value for the client.

Here’s why:

• Work can move faster without daily setup and teardown

• Fewer access limitations for trades

• Less labour spent on temporary protection and repeated cleanups

• Reduced stress for homeowners and families

• A smoother overall timeline

While we can absolutely accommodate clients who choose to remain in the home, full renovations are typically most successful when the space is vacant. This is something we always discuss early so clients can make the best decision for their situation.

Planning If You Choose to Stay in the Home

If staying in the home during a renovation, planning is key:

• Ensuring at least one functioning bathroom at all times

• Setting up a temporary kitchen if needed

• Isolating work areas with proper dust protection

• Phasing work to maintain livable spaces

We take great care to keep homes as clean and functional as possible, but expectations should be realistic during heavier construction phases.

Protecting Your Belongings

Even with professional dust control, renovations create debris and fine dust.

We recommend:

• Removing valuables and artwork from work areas

• Clearing nearby closets and cabinets

• Using sealed containers or off-site storage when possible

These steps help protect your belongings and keep the project moving efficiently.

Families, Pets, and Daily Life

Renovations affect more than just the structure:

• Noise and activity can be stressful for children and pets

• Clear safety boundaries are essential

• Pets often do best staying elsewhere during louder phases

For full renovations, temporary housing is often the least disruptive option for everyone involved.

Expect the Unexpected, Especially in Older Homes

Opening walls can reveal outdated plumbing, wiring, or structural issues, particularly in older homes.

This is not a problem, it is part of doing the job properly.

Clear communication, transparent pricing, and documented change orders help keep expectations aligned.

Final Thoughts

Renovations are temporary, the results are long-term.

For full renovations, temporarily living out of the home is often the most efficient and cost-effective approach, but every situation is different.

Our role is to guide clients honestly, explain the options clearly, and build a plan that makes sense for the home, the budget, and the long-term goals.

If you are planning a renovation and want to talk through the best approach, we are always happy to help.

Prestige Valley Construction

Residential and Commercial Renovations

Serving Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley

Imagine. Build. Renovate.