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Renovation And Remodelling Advice
A bathroom renovation is one of the most important home improvements you will ever undertake. During this project, people are always divided between choosing to live on-site during the renovation or move out. While neither of these two is right or wrong, there is always a need to consider a lot of factors before deciding what to do.
This will be the main focus of this post. We'll guide you through a few of the variables you should consider when choosing whether or not to move out during a renovation.
Factors To Consider
The Possibility
When deciding whether or not to live in the house during a bathroom renovation, the size and scope of your bathroom improvement might make it virtually impossible for you to continue living there while the work is being done. Think about what you can do if you stay and what you can't do if you leave.
It is almost impossible to stay in a building without a bathroom for long. Talk to your home insurance company about how you plan to stay in the house while the work is done. When it comes to living on-site during construction activities, different insurers have different views and rules.
In some cases, your current insurer might not be willing to provide insurance or impose too many restrictions or costs. You may even have to change your insurance plan or insurer.
Project Extent
The first thing to consider before deciding whether or not to live on-site during a bathroom renovation is the amount of work to be done. Is this going to be a significant renovation or a simple remodelling? Are you refurbishing an utterly isolated part of the house, for instance, a separate floor?
You must carefully answer these questions to determine whether you can live in or move out to make way for the renovation team. Understand that construction can be disruptive and, as such, can lead to some form of inconvenience, which can interfere with your daily routine or the renovator's schedule. You may also interfere with the builders and slow the project down.
So, suppose you are carrying out a major bathroom renovation that involves demolition, removing toxic materials such as mould growth and asbestos, removing and replacing the roof, or doing a significant repair. In that case, it is better that you move out to allow the builders to carry out a holistic job.
Budget
Your budget is also a key consideration. How much in total are you willing to spend on rent if you decide to move out? For instance, statistics show that the average weekly rent is about AUD 475 in Perth, AUD 540 in Sydney, AUD 450 in Hobart, AUD 430 in Melbourne, and AUD 395 in Adelaide.
A significant bathroom refurbishment can last for about half a year, and you will have to increase your budget by some thousands of dollars to include the cost of the rent. You can always explore other alternatives to save money instead of renting. One of them is staying in an Airbnb, which usually offers cheaper rates the longer you book with them.
You can also lookout for more affordable hotels to stay at during the renovation. Another excellent alternative is planning for your vacation during this period. Lastly, you can speak to a friend or family member to accommodate you during the renovation period.
Tolerance
Can you tolerate the noise generated by sledgehammers, welding machines, dump trucks, cement mixers, cement cutters, jackhammers, electric saw stamping, and drills from morning to evening? What about the tiny drywall dust that gets around even though some areas of the house are sealed off?
Can you handle all of the construction waste? Would you be able to go about your everyday activities if the builders and other tradesmen were strolling around the house? Do you believe they can accomplish more when you are not present?
Many homeowners vacate their homes while work is ongoing because of the inconvenience of building noise, dust, and a lack of privacy. It's important not to have to deal with all the mess and confusion while still trying to be mindful of the renovation work in progress, especially in these challenging times.
Renovation Period
It's best to move out if the renovations are going to take weeks or months. Doing so guarantees that you or a professional will complete your project more quickly, and you will save money on labour costs. Most couples without children prefer to stay back during the renovation, especially for small-scale projects.
However, if you have young children, teenagers, pets, or elderly family members and are planning substantial renovations, you may want to consider moving out for the duration of the renovation. Getting out of the path of the construction crew will allow them to work swiftly and safely.
Tips To Keep Calm During Your Bathroom Renovation
Bathe the night before and wash your hair
A good wash is an excellent idea before work starts because you might have to give up these for a while. If you have a close friend or relative nearby, you can always ask to use their bathroom. It's also possible to go to the swimming pool near you for a shower during the renovation period.
Clear the bathroom of your essentials
All items and towels must be removed from the bathroom. Pack your belongings into boxes and temporarily keep them in your bedroom. It's also an excellent time to go through your toiletries and get rid of anything you don't want or need.
Have dry shampoo and shower gel
If you can't shower or bathe elsewhere, bring some of these products with you. They won't replace a good wash but will help you stay clean and fresh for a few days. You can use a bowl of hot soapy water and towels for bed baths. Young children won't mind going without a bath for a few days.
Carry baby wipes, antibacterial gel, or hand sanitiser
You may be without water for a significant part of the day, so having these on hand can help you clean your hands and face.
Get a few buckets of water ready
You should plan to have at least three buckets of water ready at any point in time. One to flush the toilet, one to use for washing, and a spare for when you need to use the restroom and can't use one at a neighbour's house.
Be prepared for toilet challenges
During a bathroom renovation, you have three options: you can either hold it, use a neighbour's toilet, or use a bucket. It's not the most pleasant subject to discuss, but that's the reality here. If there are a lot of people in the house, you should think about purchasing or renting a mobile bathroom/toilet, which is much safer to use.
Keep your pets out of the way
It's dangerous for cats or dogs to go outside, especially if your house is close to a busy main road and you have no fence. Your pets probably won't like being locked up, but in the end, it is safer for them and for your home's renovation.
You also don't want your pets to get out and hide under floorboards or inside crawl spaces, so make sure they're caged, like in a pet store. The same goes for any other animals you may have. You don't want them to bother or bark at the construction crew.
Make use of dust sheets
There is always a lot of dust generated when tiles are chipped off walls and old bathrooms are removed, so be prepared. During a bathroom renovation, everything at home will feel like it is coated in a thin film of dust, even things you didn't expect to be covered in it.
As such, you can prepare by covering your furniture with dust sheets. These are ingenious inventions to keep as much dust off of your furniture as possible. Therefore, don't bother dusting while the work is in progress. You should reserve your energy for when the work has been completed.
Pros Of Moving Out During Bathroom Renovations
Is Less Stressful
Renovations can be pretty stressful and noisy, especially if you are one who is not used to being around during a house renovation. So, staying back comes with a lot of stress: you have to figure out how to survive without a bath for days.
As such, you will need to look for alternative places to bathe, protect children and pets during the whole project, and many other complex challenges along the way. So, if you feel that you can't handle such stress, it is always best to consider moving out during the renovation period.
Can be Cheaper
Moving out during renovations is actually cheaper. Surprisingly, many people decide to stay back just to save money for rent without considering many other crucial factors. First, it will take longer to get your renovation done because the tradesmen have to consider when it will be less intrusive for them to work.
This can extend the project timeline and cost you more at the end of the project. Staying in will also raise the amount your contractor must spend on on-site safety. This includes everything from controlling interior air quality to ensuring pets and children do not have access to the project site.
The contractor must also clean up at the end of each day. Construction sites are usually swept up and tools neatly stacked in the corner, which doesn't take long. But cleaning up for the house owner each evening implies more time away from the actual renovation. That's time you're paying for that isn't actually translating into project progress!
Best for Safety
Even with the best safety measures utilised, a home under construction is a dangerous environment. Construction sites are littered with materials, tools, and ladders. It is not the safest place for your children or pets.
Living in a home where part or all of it is under construction increases the likelihood of a mishap even when you do everything possible to avoid accidents. All it takes is a brief period of time without supervision.
Healthier for You
Construction workers wear personal masks for a reason. Filters in the masks remove dust and microscopic particulates from the air. Even if you can't see it, dust is almost certainly present. During a renovation, the chances of inhaling dust are especially high, and it is impossible to eliminate all dust.
If you have pregnant women, the elderly, or children in your home, they may be vulnerable to polluted air. On the other hand, moving out allocates time for the dust to settle and be thoroughly cleaned up before moving back home. For these reasons, it's best to prioritise safety and relocate your family to a location free of these hazards.
Where Can I Live During My Bathroom Renovation?
If you have decided that you want to move out of your home while renovating, then consider relocating temporarily to either one of the following locations:
- Paid accommodations: These include Airbnb, hotels, and other short-term rentals. While these are not free, they do allow you to choose the best location for your family's needs. Also, these accommodations frequently offer reduced prices for longer stays, and vacation rentals are exceptionally affordable. If the rental is in your vicinity, it never hurts to speak with the owner. Neighbours are sometimes more likely to give a better deal.
- Stay with loved ones: Whether it's family or neighbours, temporarily moving in with people you trust can be a cost-effective and opportune way to keep a roof over your head during a renovation, especially if you are single or have a small family.
- Vacation: If you've ever needed a reason to go on vacation, this is it! While we don't recommend being away for the duration of the renovation project, if you have the means and time, doing some travelling can be incredibly rewarding. If the renovation is still underway when you return, you can either choose to stay with a loved one or rent short-term accommodation.
Use Experts To Handle Bathroom Renovations
Bathroom renovations are critical house renovation projects, and it takes a lot of planning and execution to get the best results. Suppose you plan to renovate your bathroom, whether it is a simple upgrade or a total overhaul of your existing bathroom. In that case, it is important to allow an experienced hand to handle everything for you.
It is essential to carefully and meticulously evaluate the capability of the firm to handle the project before awarding the project to any bathroom renovation company. This includes asking for past performance, evaluating tradesmen's licences and certification, and checking whether they have the right skills and experience to deliver.
So, when hiring tradesmen for your bathroom renovation, ensure you ask enough questions, or better still, ask a friend or family member who has carried out a bathroom renovation before you for a referral. This will increase your chances of success.
Elev8 Bathrooms
We'll guide you through a few of the variables you should consider when choosing whether or not to move out during a renovation.
