Renovation Solutions: Survival tips for living while remodeling

Before: The family who remodeled this kitchen lived in the house during construction and survived life without a kitchen for three months, but the finished product makes it worth it.

Kevin Bunnell

Last week we introduced you to the Smiths, a family of eight that just survived a fairly extensive renovation while living in their split home throughout the construction process.

Their remodel included an addition of 400 square feet to both the main and lower levels, creating a great room (family room, dining area and kitchen) on the main level and a secondary family room below.

As much as they tried to keep the construction zone contained, living in a home that is being remodeled disturbs the rest of the house and how a family lives. Tiffany Smith offers some insight into how she survived living through the remodel with her small children.

Deciding to stay

The Smiths broke ground for the project when the youngest of their six children was 7 months old. It took almost a year to complete the construction, and they lived through it, literally, right in the midst of the construction zone.

Many families stay in their home during a remodel. One common reason is the budget.

On one hand, if a family moves out, they can theoretically save money because the contractor can get the job done faster (and therefore more cheaply) if they don't have to work around a family.

On the other hand, the cost of a temporary apartment or a condo tends to eat up any such savings.

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Renovation Solutions: Survival tips for living while remodeling