Renovations can be exciting, but when it comes time for the demolition phase, you might question if it’s realistic—or safe—to remain in your home. The answer is: sometimes. It depends on the extent of the work, the layout of your home and how effectively the crew will control dust, noise and debris.
Is It Safe to Stay in the House?
First and foremost is safety. If your project includes removing load-bearing walls, opening ceilings or other significant selective demolition that could interfere with stairs or exit access, you need to consider access and emergency exit needs. Crews will do their best to cordon off areas that they will be working on, but there will still be tripping hazards, exposed nails and heavy equipment coming and going.
Air quality is another huge consideration. Regardless of how effectively the crew implements good practices, demolition will introduce dust from removing drywall, wood and concrete. If you or your children have asthma or allergies, or if someone is pregnant, staying somewhere else is usually the healthier choice. In instances where testing has discovered lead paint or involves asbestos abatement, you should plan to be elsewhere until clearance testing confirms it is safe to return. To know more asbestos, click this link.
And finally, utilities. If water, power or HVAC will be shut off, “camping” at home may seem logical but can also wear thin pretty quickly.
What Areas Can Remain Livable?
In many cases, a portion of your home will be functional while work happens in another area of the house. The important thing is successfully establishing a boundary between your “construction zone” and “family zone” with clear paths that do not cross. Prior to the first wall coming down, talk with your contractor about temporary walls, zipper doors, and distinct entry/exit paths.
If you happen to have a wing of bedrooms or a finished basement with its own bathroom you can perhaps create an isolated area on-site for living during construction. Adequate containment and daily clean up on-site helps significantly.
- Bedrooms and full bath on a different floor can work well as a family zone.
- Having a garage or mudroom can serve as a clean-entry buffer area to keep the rest of the house orderly.
- You can set up a mini “camp kitchen” with a microwave, hot plate, and a compact fridge if the kitchen is being demoed.
How to Reduce Dust and Noise
Even when great containment is in place, it’s best to plan for comfort. Ask your contractor to provide plastic barriers with zipper access, negative air machinery, and HEPA air scrubbers. These will minimize any fine dust moving throughout the house. Also, ask your contractor to vacuum daily with HEPA-equipped shop vacs, and use floor protection on all traffic paths. Visit https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter for more information.
For minimal noise, schedule the loudest tasks (like saw cutting, tile demo, etc.) during the hours when the kids are at school or during times when you can vacate the house with the kids. You can buy white-noise machines and put door sweeps on your living zone doors to muffle noises. If it’s a crew that will be using roll-off dumpsters or making trips for construction waste hauling, the other recommendation is to request pickup and delivery during predictable times so you’re not being jolted awake early.
Temporary Housing Options to Consider
Sometimes the easiest way through a messy situation is to simply step out for the messiest of weeks. Temporary housing does not have to break the bank if you plan your strategy. Costing a few weeks to rent an apartment temporarily isn’t as equal as the value of peace and quiet and the family staying more on track in your routine.
If being close by to the jobsite makes sense, consider looking for furnished month to month rentals, or extended stay hotels with kitchenettes. If you have a relative or friend nearby, it may even be a good idea to have childcare and meal support on heavier demo days. Also, if your project is localized to a particular contractor—like if you’re working with a crew that manages a house demolition Spokane Valley—these considerations may also be important in staying within close proximity for site visits.
Also, consider packing a “mini home” bin with bedding, toiletries, school supplies and favorite toys, so that way you can easily settle into your next location. If you keep a copy of the construction schedule on your phone, you can coordinate days to come back without interfering with any demo work.
- Extended stay hotels with weekly rates can be more economical and many have laundry facilities on-site.
- Short-term furnished rentals tend to provide more space for families and pets.
- Staying with relatives or family for the noisier of weeks is a good interim solution without having to pay rent.
When to Move Out Completely
There are some moments when it is simply clear that moving out is the only way to go. If a demolition is putting you out of access to the only kitchen or bathroom and you don’t feel safe managing without it, temporary housing will likely pay you back in weathered nerves. Likewise, if all parts of your home are affected by the build in some way, and construction needs to take place on multiple floors, blocks exit or require HVAC shutdowns to have duct cleanings done safely, staying off-site is likely a better option.
Think also about the ripple effects: meal prep, homework, naps, bedtime routines, etc. If those circumstances will be compromised for more than a week or two weeks, short relocation may be a wise move that even allows your project to finish up sooner. Once rooms are empty, crews can work faster without the risk of your stuff getting dust.
And then you get to come back to a house once the debris loads are out and the building passes inspections.
Wrap It Up
In the end, you can live at home during certain demolition projects, but definitely not all. Take into account safety, air quality, utilities, and routines. With a consideration of strategy in one of these three options—stay put, split zones, or take a short-term move—you can avoid major discomfort with your family and avoid slowing your renovation progress.
