Should You Move Out During a Remodel?

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Nick Cohen • November 23, 2015

This is a question that contractors get asked frequently, and it’s a tough one to answer. If you’ve got the means to move out, you have hired a quality contractor, and you have a good place to go, it might be in your best interest to move out temporarily. Here’s why we often suggest leaving the house for a short while, and what you can do to prepare for the move.

If you can afford it, we recommend it!

We understand that moving out isn’t in everyone’s budget, but if you can afford to go elsewhere during a large remodeling project, we recommend it. Here are some of the reasons a temporary move is a good idea in many cases.

There’s dust everywhere—even with all the proper precautions!
It involves a disruption to your daily life.
You might not have access to bathrooms or food storage.

Of course, if it’s a small enough job, you may be fine staying in the house—as long as you do your best to stay out of the way of the workers so they can finish the job in a timely manner.

How to prepare to be out of the house

If you are planning to leave the house, there are a few steps you should take to prepare yourself and the contractors for your absence.

Find a good living situation: Try a short-term lease or an extended-stay hotel.
Box breakables and cover furniture.
Take care of the basics: Find a place for your pets and your plants. Forward your calls, and be sure to let anyone you hire for regular home services know of your absence (like a landscaper or a cleaning company).
Keep the contractor updated on your security preferences: Give them a secondary code for the security system and change it after they leave for good. Let them know if you’d like to have the lights on at night to scare off would-be trespassers.
Stop by: Check on the house from time to time to make sure everything is going to plan and to check on the state of your home. Don’t be alarmed by the dust—a good crew will clean before leaving!