How do I live in my house while a renovation is happening?

Living through a renovation requires careful planning, realistic expectations, and strategic temporary setups — but it's absolutely doable and can save you thousands in temporary housing costs.

Create a "base camp" in the least affected area of your home. If you're renovating the kitchen, set up a temporary kitchen in your basement or dining room with a mini-fridge, microwave, hot plate, and coffee maker. For bathroom renovations, negotiate shower access with neighbors or join a gym temporarily. Many New Brunswick homeowners renovating their main bathroom keep the powder room functional or install a temporary outdoor shower setup during summer months.

Dust control becomes your biggest daily challenge. Seal off the work area with heavy plastic sheeting and tape — this is crucial in older New Brunswick homes where plaster dust can infiltrate everything. Run air purifiers in your living spaces and expect to do laundry more frequently. If you have forced-air heating, change your furnace filter weekly during dusty work like drywall sanding or demolition.

Establish clear daily schedules with your contractor. Most New Brunswick contractors start between 7-8 AM and wrap up by 4-5 PM on weekdays. Negotiate quiet hours if you work from home — many contractors can schedule noisy work (demolition, framing) during your office hours and save quieter tasks (painting, trim work) for evenings when you're home. Weekend work varies by municipality — check local noise bylaws.

Plan for utility disruptions strategically. Water shutoffs for plumbing work typically last 4-8 hours, but electrical work might require longer outages. Fill bathtubs and containers with water before plumbing work begins. For major electrical panel upgrades (common in older New Brunswick homes), you might lose power for 6-12 hours — plan meals that don't require cooking and charge all devices beforehand.

Budget for eating out more than usual — even with a temporary kitchen setup, you'll likely spend $200-400 extra monthly on takeout and restaurant meals. Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John have good delivery options, but rural New Brunswick homeowners should stock up on easy-prep foods and consider a camping stove for outdoor cooking.

Protect your belongings and plan storage. Move furniture and valuables away from work areas — renovation dust travels farther than you expect. Rent a storage unit for 2-3 months if you're doing major work. Many New Brunswick storage facilities offer first-month discounts.

Your biggest decision: stay or go for major phases. For kitchen renovations lasting 3-4 weeks, most families stay put with temporary setups. For whole-house renovations or work involving multiple bathrooms, consider staying with family or renting a short-term place for the messiest 1-2 weeks. The break in routine can actually be refreshing, and you'll return to see dramatic progress.

Communicate expectations with family members — renovation fatigue is real, especially during New Brunswick's long winters when you're stuck indoors more. Plan special outings and maintain some normal routines to keep everyone's spirits up.

Find verified contractors who specialize in occupied-home renovations in our New Brunswick directory — experienced professionals know how to minimize disruption to your daily life.