5 Tips for Living Comfortably During a Remodel

Most contractors will ask homeowners to completely clear the area they will be renovating. But stuffing everything from the basement into the living room can cause a huge disruption to your lifestyle. Devise a plan for packing and storing the contents of the room that’s getting renovated before the contractors begin work. If you don't have a garage, consider renting a storage unit during the renovation. The cost could be worth not having to trip over your wine glasses every day after work.

When selecting a contractor, be sure to ask references or check reviews about how clean they left the workspace at the end of the day. Most contractors will use plastic sheeting to seal the area under renovation and contain any dust and debris from the project. If you are doing the work yourself, be disciplined about cleaning up every night to maintain a safe environment and keep the entire house from becoming covered in sawdust.

A kitchen remodel can be particularly tricky since you won't have easy access to the appliances you use daily. See if you can set up a mini-kitchen in another area of the house that has running water. You might be surprised at how well you can adapt with a mini-fridge, hot plate, microwave and blender. Stock the area with paper plates and plastic utensils for easy clean up. Using your outdoor grill can also be a great alternative if the weather is nice.