Tips On Living At Home While Remodeling a Kitchen

If you're embarking on your dream kitchen remodel, it can be exciting... and a bit intimidating.

A kitchen remodel can be a disruptive process, impacting your regular family routine for a few weeks or even a few months. Before you start, it's crucial to understand what to anticipate and how to handle it.

Most design-build professionals recommend taking some time away during the height of the remodeling process. But for many homeowners, this isn't a viable option. The good news is that you can stay in your house through a remodel by taking a proactive approach and having a plan.

Let's look at how you can prepare for the challenges of living at home during a kitchen remodel.

First, Be Aware of The Process

A kitchen remodel is noisy, dusty, and more than a little messy. For about a week, you'll wake up and walk into your gutted kitchen, ready to make your morning coffee, only to realize you're standing in the middle of a construction zone!

Every remodeling project comes with challenges like frustrating delays and unexpected changes. You'll get used to cereal and pop tarts for breakfast and might find yourself rinsing out your coffee cup in the downstairs powder room. By the end of your project, you'll be sick of eating at your favorite restaurant.

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The key is to get creative, plan, and understand that the disruptions are temporary, resulting in your dream kitchen!

Next Step, Prepare and Get Organized

Before demolition starts, take some time and plan for the time without a kitchen. Take this time to pack your kitchen stuff into clearly labeled boxes to make it easy to set up your new kitchen. Pack everything properly and store items you might need, like dishes and glasses, in an accessible place.

Here are some additional steps to prepare for your kitchen remodel.

Think about refrigeration. If you're staying home through the remodeling process, you'll need to think ahead to mealtimes. Have your contractor move your old refrigerator into the garage before they start demolition. Or consider renting or buying a small refrigerator and putting it in another room of the house, garage, or basement.

Include takeout food and restaurants in your budget. While the goal is to be able to store and cook food somewhere in your home, you'll probably end up spending more than usual on takeout food and restaurants during your kitchen remodel. Plan and include meals in your construction budget.

Plan for meals. The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in every house. It's the heart of the home, and cooking in the kitchen during a remodel is not possible. If you have an outdoor kitchen and the weather is warm, you can prepare and enjoy meals outside. If not, plan meals by setting up a makeshift kitchenette somewhere in another room. While you're packing up your kitchen, put aside equipment that might be handy. For example, your coffee machine, toaster, slow cooker, portable electric grill, and electric frying pan can all help you get through your remodel. Set aside items you might use in your kitchenette, for example, a cutting board, coffee, tea, a few mugs, knives, and grilling tools. Your kitchenette can go anywhere, but don't forget to consider cleaning up! Paper plates and cups can help, but you'll still want to wash pots and pans.

Packing before a remodel is the perfect time to pare down. Consider keeping a donation bin nearby when you're packing up. Ask yourself as you touch each item, is it worth keeping? Where will it fit into your new kitchen? When was the last time you used it? Answering these questions will let you know if you should pack it up, or pass it along.

Living at Home When Construction Begins

Preparation can help the process run smoothly, but you will also need to understand what adjustments you'll need to make when construction begins. While the final result of a kitchen remodel is worth the wait, getting there can be challenging. When construction starts, it's important to understand that your daily routine will change and will not return to normal until the project is complete.

This can be frustrating, especially for the kids, but following the tips above can help you to stay sane. If you work at home designate a workspace far from the construction zone. It's no secret that remodels include demolition, which means lots of noise and mess. Go into the project with the understanding there won't be any peace and quiet until the last truck pulls away.

If possible, scheduling a vacation during the early stage of the project can help. There's no reason you need to be there during the demolition. The extra cost can be worth the peace of mind.

Keep Your Home As Dust-Free As Possible

During the demolition phase, there will be a lot of dust in the air. Your design-build-remodeling firm should do its best to keep the dust to a minimum. You can also take steps, like taping off the return ducts in your office and bedrooms. While it's not a permanent solution, it can keep dust from traveling throughout the house.

Designate A Construction-Free Zone for the Duration of your Kitchen Remodel

The key to surviving your renovation is to designate one room of your house as your “free zone.” Make it clear to your contractor that this room is off-limits for passing through or storing tools, supplies, or anything from the kitchen. The best options are rooms that are not bedrooms and not directly connected to or adjacent to the construction zone. Workers will want to use the closest spaces to stash materials like cabinets or boxes of tile.

Stay Out of The Construction Zone

If you have kids or pets, you may wonder how safe your home will be during construction. In general, it's safe to stay at home during a kitchen remodel. There may be unforeseen issues that can come up, like uncovering asbestos, which may require you to leave while it is removed. However, most crews will clean up the site at the end of each day. Make sure you let your contractor know if it's ok to leave tools around, and if so, have them make sure that there are no nails or screws left behind to hurt little feet or paws.

Prepare For Living at Home During a Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen remodel will take time to complete and can be challenging. Expect a lot of noise, dust, and if you approve, power tools everywhere. Proper planning before construction begins and knowing what to expect when demolition starts and your project is underway can make the process run more smoothly. Having an open line of communication with your design-build contractor can help. This simple step can help make your remodel less of a challenge, and remember, in the end, you'll have a wonderful new kitchen to enjoy with your family and friends for many years to come!

Are you considering a kitchen remodel? Let us help you create your dream kitchen! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.