Should I Move Out During Home Renovations or Not?

Buying a home that needs renovation is often the way to get into an area or have the home of your dreams that you would not otherwise be able to afford.

But choosing to have major extension or renovation work done on your home can be stressful and expensive.

All of my last four homes have needed major renovations, and the last two were just shells. Including one where during delays and bad weather we had no roof, electricity, or kitchen, only a camping toilet, and it was mid-winter with temperatures of minus 20 and 40cm of snow.

Living in a basement, with a small wood burner, and sleeping on a settee for months was no fun but as always, the result was worth it.

No matter what level of renovations you need to do some things are almost inevitable: You will go over budget, it will take longer than planned, and the dust will get everywhere and linger for months afterward.

And I would also add that it will be emotional on every level. You should be prepared for the highs and lows, the frustrations and joys, and the stress and worry.

Having said that, knowing that in the end you will have a home you love, that suits your needs perfectly, and will give you a sense of joy and satisfaction every time you walk through the front door is priceless and worth every minute of what you went through.

So, in this week’s home moving blog, we look at why and how you should move out when your home is being renovated and the other options that you may also consider.

You may also like to read: Which is More Important: Location or Home? 31 Things to Consider. If you are still unsure whether to move to your ideal area with a less desirable home or to have your ideal home in a less desirable area, then this guide suggests 31 things to take into consideration when making your decision.

Should I Move Out or Live-In During Major Home Renovations?

There are pros and cons for moving out or living in during a home renovation which will to some extent depend upon the scale of the renovations you are having done.

Roof-off, wall demolition, and total remodeling projects will almost certainly mean that you will need to consider moving out of the home during the upheaval of the works being carried out.

However, the biggest advantage of staying in your home whilst a renovation is carried out is that you are on-site to answer any questions, monitor the progress of the work being carried out, and deal with problems as they arise, and they surely will.

I would always advise that at a minimum you visit the site daily.

I had a barn that was full of antiques left by the previous owner, worthless to some people but I wanted them as decorations and some for upcycling. The one day that I had to be off-site the builders decided to clear the barn and every item was trashed. Not the end of the world but annoying just the same.

Obviously, if you move off-site then you will incur the costs of temporary accommodation as well as removal and storage costs.

However, the costs of moving out during renovation can be dwarfed by the additional costs you may incur whilst living in your home during major repairs.

It can prolong your renovations if every day the builders need to clean up at the end of each day so that the home is habitable for you.

This could cut up to 2 hours of renovation time from every working day.

Additionally, the builders may have to work around your schedule, the times you leave the home every day, or when you get home again.

This again could prolong the time it takes to complete the renovations.

Often utilities have to be disconnected, and the builders would have to schedule their work around you needing access to water and electricity which can again cause delays.

The workers would have to be mindful of pets or children that are on-site which could also slow progress. Not to mention that it is dangerous for children and pets to be around a construction site.

All these small delays add up and can add significant delays not only to the completion date but consequently the cost of your renovations.

You should consider whether you can live with the dust, noise, inconvenience, and lack of privacy that you will have to endure.

During the renovations, you are unlikely to have the environment to spend quality time as a family unit that you normally would.

And the stress of living on a building site without access to everyday amenities should not be underestimated.

During most types of renovation, you will be without water or electricity at some stage.

Can you live without a shower or being able to use a real toilet or not having access to a kitchen?

You absolutely must take into consideration the safety of your children, pets, and yourself.

Most people, therefore, choose to move out of the home that is being renovated whilst all the upheaval is in progress.

Your accommodation options may include:

• Staying with friends or family
• A short-term rental
• An Airbnb
• Having a mobile home or caravan on-site
• Sectioning off part of the home whilst the other half is renovated

You may also like to read: Things to Know About Moving Into a Rental Property for the First Time. If you decide to rent a property during the renovations and have never rented before then you will find this guide invaluable. From checklists to understanding different types of leases, to questions to ask your landlord this guide tells you all you need to know about renting a home.

How Much Does it Cost to Move Out Whilst My Home is Being Renovated?

This will largely be dependent upon how much stuff you have to move, what type of storage facility you will need, and where you intend to stay during the renovations.

But to help you budget for the removal and storage costs here are some average prices to base your calculations upon:

• How much does it cost to move a 1 bedroom home? About £750 and £200 packing costs
• A 50 sq ft storage unit, enough for the average 1 bedroom home, costs between £7-£60 per week
• How much does it cost to move a 2 bedroom home: Roughly £900 plus £250 packing costs
• A 100 sq ft storage unit, enough for the average 2 bedroom home, costs between £14-£70 per week
• How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom home? On average £1200 plus £300 for packing
• A 125 sq ft storage unit, enough for the average 3 bedroom home, costs between £21-£105 per week
• How much does it cost to move a 4 bedroom home? Around £1700 and £400 for packing
• A 125 sq ft storage unit, enough for the average 4 bedroom home, costs between £28-£280 per week

You may also like to read: Moving Into a Multi-Generational Home: All You Need to Know. One of the reasons you may be considering remodeling your home is for it to become a multi-generational home which is becoming more and more common in the UK now. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living in a multi-generational home, practical tips for living with parents or older relatives, and practical things to consider when designing your new home.

How Much Does it Cost to Stay Onsite During Renovations?

You can rent or buy a shipping container if you decide to store your things onsite from companies such as www.portablespace.co.uk

Prices range from £18.00 incl. VAT per week for an 8ft x 8ft box to £62.40 incl. VAT per week for a 20ft x 8ft container.

If you decide to want to live onsite during the renovations you could hire a caravan or motorhome from a company such as www.hireanrv.co.uk who provide units specifically for rent during building works.

For long-term use, it may be more cost-effective to buy a static mobile home. www.ndoecaravans.co.uk sell static homes specifically for use during building works with prices ranging from £5,000 to £12,000.

How to Prepare for Moving Out During Home Renovations

• Declutter your home
• Choose a reputable removal company
• Select a good storage unit
• Prepare a Home Moving Timeline and Planner

During most major renovations the home will need to be emptied of all your household goods to prevent damage to them, so you will need storage as well as a removal company.

Some full-service removal companies will be able to offer you both services but it is more usual that you will have to source and book your own storage facility.

To keep costs to an absolute minimum you should consider exactly what you will be paying for to be packed, moved, and to be put in storage whilst the renovation is in progress.

Your first task, therefore, should be to declutter your home. That is, to get rid of all the things that you no longer need or want in your home.

The more ruthless you can be with the sorting out of your possessions the cheaper the packing, removal costs, and storage will be.

Additionally, you will not want to clutter up your beautiful new home with things that don’t give you pleasure or just use up space that can be put to better use.

You may also like to read: The Epic Guide to Decluttering Your Home which offers practical tips on how to declutter your home but also includes tips on how to emotionally let go of your possessions which can be the hardest part of decluttering.

How to Choose a Good Removal Company

Just as the hours you poured over reviews and estimates when deciding which builder to choose for your renovation works, so should you pay equal attention to choosing the right removal company to move your precious household items.

To be able to budget for the expense of the removal company you should look to get 3-4 removal cost estimates so that you can compare them.

Once you have those estimates check out the removal company reviews. It would be wise to discount any company that does not have consistently good reviews that are recent and are rated at least 3 stars out of 5.

Once you have narrowed your removal company options down, invite the removal company to see exactly what you intend to have moved so that they can give you a detailed quote and be able to formulate a moving day plan.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. In this guide, we take you step-by-step through the process of choosing a good removal company using a real example of a home move.

How to Choose a Storage Company

You will want to choose the storage facility with the same diligence that you have the removal company you have chosen.

Your choice of storage facility may be dependent upon the type of items you wish to store, for example, do you need a high level of security due to the value of the items being stored?

If you have fine antiques or artwork you may need temperature-controlled storage.

Will you need regular and easy access to your things whilst they are in storage?

If the renovations are over several months and span different seasons you will need to get access to your summer or winter wardrobe for example.

There are many things to consider when choosing a storage depot and your local removal company may be able to recommend some to you.

You may also like to read: How to Choose a Storage Unit. In this guide, we look at the various types of available storage units, how much on average they cost to rent, and what to look out for when choosing a storage unit.

Home Moving Checklists

Although this is a temporary move you will want to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

A week-by-week home moving checklist and planner will help you keep on top of all the things you need to do before moving out.

You will find this Week-By-Week Home Moving Checklist invaluable when planning your home move. Every home moving task is listed in chronological order so that you do not forget any important home moving task.

Whilst you are temporarily moved out of your home you should also consider whether it would be better to have your mail redirected to your temporary address or family member’s home.

This would prevent any important mail from going missing during all the upheaval of the renovations.

You can get your mail redirected for 3, 6, or 12 months:

• 3 months cost £99
• 6 months cost £99
• 12 months costs £99

To get more details about redirecting your mail and to download the application forms visit www.postoffice.co.uk

Having your home renovated can be stressful, and moving home can be stressful.

But with proper planning and thoroughly researching the firms you intend to hire, you will have done all you can to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Just keep in mind the beautiful new home you will eventually end up with and that all the upheaval and inconvenience is just a passing phase.

Soon you will be living in that perfect living space you have always dreamt of.