Living Through a Renovation

When to Stay vs. When to Leave

Most single-room renovations (kitchen, bathroom, basement) are livable. Whole-home renovations are not. The decision matrix is straightforward: if you’ll have a functioning bathroom, a place to sleep, and a way to eat, you can stay. If any of those three are eliminated for more than a few days, plan temporary housing.

Project Type	Duration	Stay or Go?	Key Challenge
Kitchen remodel	6–10 weeks	Stay — with prep	No cooking for 4–6 weeks. Set up temporary kitchen.
Bathroom renovation (1 of 2+)	3–8 weeks	Stay	Share remaining bathroom. Schedule showers around work.
Only bathroom renovation	3–8 weeks	Difficult	No shower/toilet for 2–4 weeks. Gym membership helps.
Basement finish	4–8 weeks	Stay	Noise and dust. Minimal disruption to living space.
Room addition	3–6 months	Stay — with dust plan	Exterior noise, dust intrusion, temporary wall openings.
Whole-home renovation	4–8 months	Move out	No functional kitchen, bathroom, or living space for weeks.

The Temporary Kitchen

During a kitchen remodel, set up a functional temporary kitchen in a garage, dining room, or spare bedroom. Essentials: a folding table, microwave, toaster oven, electric kettle, mini-fridge, and a plastic tub for washing dishes. Paper plates for the first two weeks aren’t lazy — they’re practical. Budget $300–$600 for the temporary kitchen setup and $200–$400/week in additional takeout and dining costs. A 6-week kitchen remodel typically adds $1,200–$2,400 in food costs to your budget.

Dust Containment

Construction dust is the most persistent quality-of-life issue during a renovation. Good contractors install zip-wall barriers (floor-to-ceiling plastic sheeting with zipper doors) separating work areas from living areas. Expect to change HVAC filters weekly during construction. Cover furniture in adjacent rooms. Seal HVAC returns in the work zone with plastic. If you have respiratory sensitivities, run a HEPA air purifier in your bedroom throughout the project.

Managing the Schedule

Ask your contractor for a weekly schedule before work begins. Know which days will be loudest (demo, framing, tile cutting), which will involve utility shutoffs (plumbing days, electrical panel work), and which will have the most workers on site. Plan your work-from-home days around quiet finish work. Plan errands and outings around demo and framing days. Workers typically arrive between 7:00–8:00 AM and leave by 4:00–5:00 PM. Expect some disruption to extend beyond work hours — paint fumes linger, dust settles overnight.

Temporary Housing Costs

When staying in your home isn’t practical, budget for alternatives. A furnished short-term rental in Metro Atlanta runs $2,000–$4,500/month. Extended-stay hotels average $1,800–$3,000/month. In Central Florida, expect $2,200–$5,000/month for furnished rentals. These costs are rarely included in contractor estimates — budget them separately. For whole-home renovations lasting 4–6 months, temporary housing can add $8,000–$25,000 to your total project cost.