Embarking on a property renovation is a thrilling but challenging endeavour. One crucial decision to make is whether to live on-site throughout the process. I have renovated several properties whilst living in them and I’ve also renovated ones where I haven’t lived in them, and both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we’ll explore both options to help you make the right decision.

Let’s look at the Pros –

Pros:

• Cost Savings
  • Financial Efficiency – Living on-site can reduce your living expenses, as you won’t need temporary accommodation during the renovation or you won’t need to travel backwards and forwards to another property, which may not be close to your home.
• Quick Decision-Making
  • Quick Decision Making – Being on-site allows for quick decision-making and immediate oversight of the project, ensuring it aligns with your vision and keeps the project moving forward.
• Hands-On Involvement
  • Personal Touch – Living there means you can actively participate in the renovation, adding your personal touch and addressing any issues promptly.
• Security
  • Protecting Assets – Your presence enhances security, deterring theft or vandalism during the renovation process. If a property is empty, you may need extra security precautions, such as installing an alarm and CCTV.
• Connection with Contractors
  • Effective Communication – Living on-site allows easier communication with contractors, enabling you to address concerns promptly without work stopping.
• Oversee Work
  • Manage Contractors – Living on-site allows you to oversee work and manage the contractors effectively, ensuring the work is completed to the desired standard.

Now, let’s consider the Cons –

Cons:

• Disruption to Daily Life
  • Inconvenience – Living amidst ongoing renovations can be disruptive, affecting daily routines, sleep, and overall comfort. I have lived with bare floorboards, no bathroom or kitchen facilities, no heating in winter. It can be challenging especially if you have young children and pets.
• Dust and Noise
  • Environmental Impact – The construction process generates dust, noise, and disruptions that can be a daily challenge. My children have asthma and I have a dust allergy, neither are conducive for living in a property while renovating! Plus, no matter how well you protect your furniture and possessions from dust, it spreads everywhere, and you’ll find yourself weeks later, even after cleaning multiple times, with the dust appearing like magic.
• Limited Privacy
  • Reduced Privacy – Renovation teams and contractors may need access to various parts of your home, limiting your privacy during the project. You will also need to remove valuable and breakable possessions until the renovation work is complete.
• Emotional Stress
  • Stress and Fatigue – The constant presence of the renovation process can be emotionally draining, leading to stress and fatigue. Living in a building site can be stressful and it can be difficult to ‘switch off’ and some family members might be less tolerant of the disruption.
• Extended Project Duration
  • Potential Delays – Living on-site might lead to delays as contractors may need to work around your schedule, potentially prolonging the overall project duration.
• Personalisation
  • Don’t Make It All About You – The issue with living on-site is that you’re more likely to personalise the property to your taste, potentially leading to over-design and excessive accessorising, unlike with an empty property.

I hope these points provide some food for thought, because deciding whether to live on-site during a property renovation involves weighing the convenience of decision making and oversight against the inconveniences of daily disruptions and mess. 

Your circumstances might not allow you to live on-site.  However, if you do have a choice, carefully consider your lifestyle, preferences, family and tolerance for disruptions before making this important decision.