In most circumstances, moving out while your apartment is renovated is ideal, but of course, this isn’t always possible.
Some renovation work can be hugely inconvenient and even harmful for your health depending on the level of toxins used, while other, smaller projects, can cause less disruption, and if you work with your general contractor, their impact on your life can be lessened.
If you’re planning to renovate your apartment but aren’t sure whether you’ll be able to remain living there while work gets underway, here are some things to consider:
What is being renovated?
If you’ve chosen to completely gut your apartment and have it renovated from top to bottom, remaining there throughout the duration of the project will likely be impossible, and most contractors will suggest that you move out. Remember that staying in the apartment is not only inconvenient to you, but to the contractors as well, and without so many obstacles to work around, they can get the work finished far quicker.
If you’re only having one room or space renovated, however, living there until the work is completed is far more feasible. That said, renovators will usually recommend that you vacate the premises during the initial, dusty demolition phase.
Can you afford to move out?
Knowing whether you’ll remain in the apartment during the renovation work, or not, can help you to formulate your budget early on. Naturally, moving out or going on vacation during the renovation will add on to your budget, and you’ll need to think long and hard as to whether you can afford this on top of the cost of the renovation work.
Are there children or sensitive adults in the home?
Lead exposure has a much worse impact on children due to the fact that their brains are still developing, and if your apartment was built before 1978, it’s possible that lead paint was used on the walls. When the paint is disturbed, the toxins are released, and your general contractor will do a test for lead paint if you live in an older home.
Toxins can also have a range of effects on adults, especially if they’re immune-compromised from cancer or some other disorder that will make it harder for your body to expel toxins, and asthma sufferers also have a harder time since they are more sensitive to air quality.
Can you survive without a bathroom or kitchen?
Kitchen and bathroom renovations make it very hard for homeowners to remain in the apartment while these rooms are being renovated, and if you’re having either (or both) of these rooms worked on, you’ll need to consider your options. While it may be possible to set up a makeshift kitchen elsewhere in the home, it’s impossible to do the same with a bathroom, and if you have only one, this will almost certainly prove problematic.
What is the layout of your home?
If your apartment has only one point of entry (as most do), this can be tough when trying to separate your living space, from their working space, and the contractors will inevitably be tracking dust in and out. While there are certain things they can do to minimize the spread of this – such as by sectioning areas off with thick plastic and tape – you’ll need to give this careful consideration.
Talk to your general contractor in detail about the work that they will be carrying out, before determining whether staying in the apartment during the renovation is a possibility, or whether you’ll need to move out.