Getting your home renovated is an exciting time. However, whether you’re revamping an outdated system or simply sprucing up a room, you need to decide where you’ll stay while it happens.
Here’s a list of your options, ranked by how well they keep your life uninterrupted.
1. Stay at a Nearby Loved One’s Home
If you have a friend or family member living not too far from your home, this is likely the most straightforward option. You don’t have to go through the hassle of booking or spending money on a place to stay, and you’re close enough that it doesn’t disrupt your daily routine. Plus, you can easily get back to your property if someone working on it has questions or requires access to a specific area.
The downside here is that you’ll be a guest in someone else’s home, which can be tricky if you and the person you’re staying with have big personalities. However, solid communication, understanding and appreciation can make a big difference. Remember to use “I” statements and active listening to focus on the problem rather than the emotions.
2. Rent an Aparthotel or Airbnb
If you can’t stay with someone close to you, consider an aparthotel or Airbnb. If you’ve never heard of an aparthotel, it combines the space you get when renting a flat with the amenities of a hotel. It consists of smaller or larger layouts with a kitchen and rooms with their own bathrooms, so you get the same independence you would at home. However, staff will also come to change the linens and towels, provide breakfast or perform daily cleaning.
You could also rent an Airbnb, which would let you stay in a different house while yours is being renovated. Like the aparthotel, you get a large amount of space to yourself, but you’ll have to clean it. Additionally, the host has the final say on whether their property is suitable for children, so be sure to read the listings carefully.
If you can rent near your home, this option is less disruptive, but it can get expensive. You’ll also have to consider your family’s size to determine the space that will best accommodate all of you and factor in possible delays that cause you to stay longer. Those with pets must make sure their temporary housing allows them, as well.
3. Get a Hotel Room
Your third best option is to get yourself a hotel room — possibly two, depending on the size of your family. By doing so, you have a lot of flexibility in where you stay and can feel like you’re on vacation while your home is being renovated.
Hotels can get pricey, though. While there are definitely ways to make your stay cheaper, the nightly costs can quickly add up, along with any services you may add, such as dining or laundry. There also isn’t much room to spread out. You can keep your luggage light by only packing five shirts, four bottoms, three sets of shoes, two bags and one accessory, but the limitation can feel frustrating after a while.
4. Stay Where You Are
You can also stay on your property while it’s being renovated. There may be instances where you have no choice but to leave, such as when updates make the space unsafe or when multiple major rooms are out of commission. However, if renovations will only take a few days or if you can stand using a hot plate for all your cooking while the kitchen is touched up, you can make staying at home work.
This can be the toughest option — though it is the cheapest — because you’re staying in the middle of a construction site. You may be unable to access certain bathrooms, areas or entire floors of your home. Extensive work, like electrical or plumbing, can require opening walls, while flooring and other carpentry work may require chemicals and multiple tools.
However, old homes can create a domino effect of necessary repairs, and tasks might take twice as long as you think, leading to delays. If you’re staying home, you don’t have to worry about extending your stay or the expense of doing so. If you choose this option, just be sure to avoid the areas being worked on and make accommodations that maintain the continuity of your lifestyle.
The Right Choice for You During Home Renovations
Where you should stay while your property is undergoing renovations depends on the extent of the work and your comfort level. Some will find it easiest to pack up and stay elsewhere, while others prefer to live around the construction. The option that feels most straightforward to you, your family and how you live is the best one to go with.
