We get this question a lot: “Do I need to move out during the remodel?”
And while it’s not always a must, we’ll be honest—there are some serious benefits you might not have thought about to giving yourself and your family some space while your home is under construction.
We know moving out isn’t always convenient. It can feel like one more thing to juggle in an already busy season of life. But from our experience, the short-term inconvenience often pays off in major ways—both in how the project flows and how you feel during the process.
Let’s break it down.
The Benefits of Moving Out During a Remodel
1. Health Comes First—Especially for Families
Remodeling environments aren’t healthy to live in. Period.
Construction dust can linger long after the work is done—in fact, studies show that elevated dust levels can persist for up to a year after a major remodel.
This is especially concerning for children, older adults, and anyone with respiratory conditions.
Moving out helps you avoid breathing in construction debris, and allows us to do a more thorough cleanup before you return. In addition to the extra steps we take to control dust during the project.
2. Your Remodel Stays on Schedule
When your home is vacant, contractors can work longer hours, they can shut down the power or water as needed, and keep momentum going without interruption. There’s no need to pause for family routines or clear out of the kitchen each morning—just focused, efficient progress.
This can save days, even weeks, on the timeline and get you back into your finished space faster.
3. You Might Be More Comfortable Than You Think
Living through a remodel can feel like a full-time job—navigating noise, shifting schedules, blocked-off rooms, and temporary setups.
You’d be surprised how much calmer and more settled life can feel when you’re staying elsewhere. You can check in when you want, skip the daily disruptions, and avoid the constant reminders that your home is a construction site. And now with options like AirBnb or VRBO, it has gotten much easier to move out temporarily. Doing this also urges you to finally go through all the ‘stuff’ that’s just been sitting around. You now have the opportunity to toss or donate the items that you no longer need.
4. The Worksite Stays Cleaner and Safer
Construction zones aren’t just messy—they’re hazardous. With tools, cords, open walls, and temporary stairs in place, safety becomes a major concern, especially for families with young kids or pets.
When no one is living onsite, our crews can seal off work areas, keep tools in place, and focus on the job—not cleanup. It’s safer and more streamlined all around.
5. You Protect the Rest of Your Home
Even in the tidiest remodel, dust travels. And increased foot traffic through untouched areas can leave behind nicks, dents, or wear and tear on flooring and walls.
When the home is empty, we can better isolate the remodel zone, keeping the rest of your home clean, intact, and protected.
The Hidden Risks of Staying Put
So, what really happens if you choose to stay?
We’ve seen a few consistent patterns:
– Schedule Slowdowns
Even with the best intentions, living in a home while it’s being remodeled means crews are often limited to specific work hours, and they may have to shift their approach based on your needs.
It’s manageable—but it’s rarely fast.
– Increased Risk of Change Orders
Living onsite during construction can make it easier to notice small details or second-guess previous selections. This often results in mid-project changes, known as change orders, which can impact both the schedule and the budget.
– Disruption to Daily Routines
Construction brings noise, dust, and limited access to key areas like kitchens and bathrooms. For households staying put, this can create ongoing disruptions to everyday routines, making day-to-day living more challenging over the course of the project.
Tensions can run high, especially if you’re trying to cook meals in a makeshift kitchen or sharing one bathroom among five people.
Our Take?
If you can make it work—even just during the messiest phases like demolition and drywall—it’s worth considering a temporary move.
Some of our clients stay with family. Others rent a short-term apartment or take a well-timed vacation.
The good news: we help with that too.
We offer resources and support to help you find a comfortable, convenient place to stay, whether it’s for a few weeks or a few months.
We’ve seen firsthand how much smoother projects run—and how much happier our clients are—when they step away and let us manage the details.
Wondering what’s right for your remodel?
Let’s talk. We’ll walk you through a realistic timeline, explain what to expect if you stay, and help you explore your options for moving out—whether temporarily or for the full duration.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We’ve got resources, recommendations, and a plan that’s built around your family’s needs.
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