How to Live in Your Home During a Major Remodel

The Reality of Remodeling While You’re Still Living There

So you’ve decided to remodel your home. That’s exciting! But then reality hits — where exactly are you supposed to go while workers tear up your kitchen or rip out your bathroom? Moving out sounds great in theory, but temporary housing costs add up fast. And honestly? Most families just can’t swing an extra rent payment on top of renovation costs.

Here’s the thing. Living through a remodel is totally doable. It’s not glamorous, and yeah, there will be moments when you question every life choice that led you here. But with some planning and realistic expectations, you can survive it without losing your mind. If you’re looking for Home Remodelers in Sacramento, understanding what life will actually look like during construction helps you prepare properly.

Let’s talk about what actually works when your home becomes a construction zone.

Setting Up Your Temporary Living Spaces

Creating a Makeshift Kitchen

Kitchen remodels are probably the trickiest to live through. You’re basically losing the heart of your home for weeks or even months. But people do it all the time.

First, pick a spot for your temporary setup. A spare bedroom, dining room, or even the garage works. You’ll need:

• A microwave (your new best friend)
• Electric kettle or hot plate
• Mini fridge or cooler with ice
• Plastic bins for storing dishes and pantry items
• Paper plates and disposable utensils (trust me on this one)

Stock up on meals that don’t require actual cooking. Sandwiches, salads, rotisserie chickens from the grocery store, and plenty of takeout menus. This isn’t the time to feel guilty about ordering pizza three times a week.

Bathroom Situations

If you’ve got multiple bathrooms, block off one and keep it sacred. That’s your oasis. Clean it obsessively and don’t let anyone store construction materials in there.

Only have one bathroom getting remodeled? This gets trickier. Talk to your contractor about scheduling. Many will prioritize getting basic plumbing functional before moving to finishing work. A toilet and shower can be operational even when the rest of the room looks rough.

Dust Control That Actually Works

Construction dust gets everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It’s fine, it’s persistent, and it will find its way into rooms you swore were sealed off. Here’s what really helps:

Plastic sheeting is your friend. Heavy-duty stuff, not the thin painter’s plastic that tears if you look at it wrong. Tape it over doorways completely — floor to ceiling, overlapping at the seams. Some contractors use zip walls with poles that create tension-fit barriers. These work way better than tape alone.

Run an air purifier in your living space. Not a small one either. Get something rated for the square footage you’re trying to protect. HEPA filters catch the fine particles that otherwise end up in your lungs and on every surface.

According to research on indoor air quality, construction activities significantly increase particulate matter in the air. Taking dust control seriously isn’t just about keeping things clean — it’s a health thing too.

Keeping Kids and Pets Safe

Construction sites are basically obstacle courses filled with sharp objects, power tools, and interesting chemicals. Not exactly kid-friendly territory.

Establish clear boundaries. Physically, with baby gates or locked doors. And verbally, with repeated conversations about why the work area is off-limits. Kids are curious. They’ll want to see what’s happening. Set up specific times when they can watch from a safe distance with you present.

Pets are tougher because you can’t explain anything to them. Dogs and cats get stressed by noise, strange people in their territory, and disrupted routines. Consider:

• Boarding during the loudest phases (demolition especially)
• Keeping them confined to one part of the house
• Asking a friend or family member to pet-sit during work hours
• Using calming aids if your vet recommends them

Open doors and missing baseboards also create escape opportunities. One contractor told me they’ve seen more lost pets during remodels than any other time. Double-check that your furry family members are secure before work starts each day.

Adjusting Your Daily Routine

Home Remodeling Services in Sacramento CA typically run from around 7 or 8 AM until late afternoon. That’s your new schedule too, whether you like it or not. If you work from home, this presents obvious challenges.

Some things that help:

• Noise-canceling headphones (invest in good ones)
• Working from a coffee shop or library during loud phases
• Scheduling important calls during lunch break when crews are quieter
• Adjusting your work hours — starting earlier or staying later

Your sleep will probably suffer too. Construction crews sometimes run behind schedule, which means they might work later than planned. Earplugs and a white noise machine can help, but honestly? Expect to be a bit sleep-deprived for the duration.

Communication With Your Construction Crew

Good communication makes everything smoother. Henrys Construction Inc. and other reputable contractors will establish clear protocols, but you should too.

Agree on basics upfront:

• Which bathroom and entrance will workers use
• Where they can store tools and materials overnight
• How you’ll communicate daily (text, calls, a notebook on the counter)
• Weekly check-in meetings to discuss progress and concerns

Don’t be afraid to speak up when something bothers you. Good contractors want to know. That said, pick your battles. Some inconvenience is just part of the deal.

When You Actually Should Move Out

Sometimes staying isn’t realistic. Here’s when temporary relocation makes more sense:

If you have very young children or elderly family members, certain projects create safety risks that aren’t worth navigating. Lead paint removal, extensive asbestos abatement, or major structural work falls into this category.

Health conditions like asthma or compromised immune systems mean dust exposure isn’t just annoying — it’s dangerous. Home Remodelers near Sacramento can often recommend the quietest phases of your project if you need to time a brief stay elsewhere.

Whole-house remodels where every room is affected simultaneously rarely work with occupants present. If you’re doing a gut renovation, start looking at short-term rentals or that offer from your in-laws to stay with them.

For additional information on planning your remodeling project, research thoroughly before making decisions about staying or going.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Here’s the honest truth. Living through a remodel is hard. Your home won’t feel like home for a while. There will be days when everything is covered in dust, nothing works, and you just want your space back.

But it’s temporary. And the result — a home that actually fits your life — is worth the chaos. Keep your eyes on that prize. Take before photos so you can see progress when it feels like nothing is changing. Celebrate small milestones like working plumbing or painted walls.

Home Remodeling in Sacramento CA projects typically run a few weeks for small jobs to several months for major renovations. Know your timeline going in and add a buffer. Things always take longer than estimated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical kitchen remodel take while living in the home?

Most kitchen remodels take 6-12 weeks depending on scope. Living through it is manageable but requires setting up a temporary cooking area and adjusting your meal planning significantly.

Should I take time off work during my home remodel?

Taking a day or two off during demolition can help since that’s often the noisiest and most disruptive phase. But taking the entire project duration off isn’t practical for most people. Instead, create a functional workspace away from construction areas.

What should I do with my furniture during a remodel?

Move furniture to rooms not being renovated and cover everything with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. For whole-house projects, consider renting a portable storage unit that can sit in your driveway for easy access.

Can I stay in my home during a bathroom remodel if I only have one bathroom?

It’s challenging but possible. Discuss with your contractor about maintaining basic toilet and shower functionality while work progresses. Some homeowners also use gym facilities for showers during the tightest phases.

How do I keep my house clean during construction?

Focus on containing dust rather than cleaning constantly. Use plastic barriers, run air purifiers, and accept that deep cleaning happens after the project ends. Spot clean high-traffic areas daily but save the serious scrubbing for when work wraps up.

Surviving Home Remodelers in Sacramento projects while staying put comes down to preparation, flexibility, and keeping perspective. Your dream home is on the other side of this temporary chaos. And someday, you’ll barely remember the weeks you lived on takeout and couldn’t find anything because it was all packed in bins.