Planning Temporary Housing During Your Whole-Home Remodel
Living through a whole-home remodel is one of the most stressful experiences homeowners face. Constant noise, dust, no kitchen, limited bathrooms, workers in your space at 7 AM—it takes a toll on relationships and mental health. Planning your temporary housing now prevents crisis decisions later.
Quick Summary
Time needed
2-4 weeks to arrange
Difficulty
Moderate (logistics-heavy)
Cost
$2,000-$5,000/month
Why Temporary Housing Is Essential
Many homeowners initially plan to "tough it out" during their remodel. Almost all of them regret this decision. A whole-home remodel isn't like updating a single room—your entire living environment becomes a construction zone.
Beyond the discomfort, living on-site can actually slow down construction. Workers have to work around you, and you may subconsciously delay decisions to maintain some normalcy. Leaving the site gives your team full access and often speeds completion.
What Living Through a Whole-Home Remodel Actually Means
- • No functional kitchen for 2-4 months (eating every meal out or on a hot plate)
- • Possibly one working bathroom for your entire family
- • Construction dust coating everything, including things you've cleaned
- • Workers arriving at 7 AM, noise until 4-6 PM
- • No privacy or quiet time to decompress
- • Potential periods without water or electricity
- • Constant decision-making while exhausted
- • Relationship strain from shared stress
- Protects your sanity: Having a calm, clean space to return to each evening preserves mental health during a stressful process.
- Preserves relationships: Remodel stress destroys relationships. A comfortable refuge prevents taking frustrations out on each other.
- Speeds construction: Contractors work faster without navigating around residents. Full site access = faster completion.
- Improves decision quality: Making hundreds of decisions while living in chaos leads to regret. Clear thinking produces better outcomes.
- Protects your health: Construction dust, VOCs, and lack of ventilation create real health risks, especially for children and elderly.
Step-by-Step: Planning Temporary Housing
1. Estimate Your Timeline Realistically
Whatever your contractor says, add 30-50%. Whole-home remodels almost always take longer than planned due to hidden issues, permit delays, material backorders, and weather.
Typical Whole-Home Remodel Timelines:
2. Evaluate Your Housing Options
You have several options, each with trade-offs. Consider your budget, family size, timeline, and tolerance for disruption.
1Nearby Rental Apartment or House
The most common and often best option. Provides normalcy, privacy, and proximity to your project.
Pros:
- • Full privacy and normal routine
- • Can visit project daily
- • No relationship strain
- • Professional housing standards
Cons:
- • Most expensive option ($2,000-$5,000/month)
- • May require lease commitment
- • Two places to maintain
- • Moving logistics
Budget: $24,000-$60,000 for 12-month remodel
2Extended Stay Hotel
Good for shorter remodels or as a bridge solution. Offers flexibility but can feel cramped for families.
Pros:
- • No lease commitment
- • Cleaning included
- • Kitchen amenities
- • Easy to extend or shorten stay
Cons:
- • Limited space (often just one room)
- • Expensive for long stays
- • Can feel institutional
- • Limited storage
Budget: $2,500-$4,500/month depending on location
3Staying with Family
Can work for short periods but strains relationships. Be realistic about everyone's tolerance.
Pros:
- • Free or low-cost
- • Family support
- • Childcare help possible
- • Saves significant money
Cons:
- • Strains relationships (seriously)
- • Loss of privacy and autonomy
- • May be far from your project
- • Different household rules
Budget: $0-$500/month (contribute to groceries/utilities)
4Creating a Livable Zone On-Site
Setting up one sealed-off portion of your home as a living space. Challenging and often regretted.
Pros:
- • No rent payments
- • Close to project oversight
- • Familiar neighborhood
- • No moving required
Cons:
- • Extremely disruptive daily
- • Dust infiltration inevitable
- • Noise from 7 AM on
- • Slows construction progress
- • Health concerns (dust, VOCs)
Budget: $500-$2,000 for sealing, temporary kitchen setup
5RV or Trailer on Property
An unconventional option that can work if your property and local codes allow it.
Pros:
- • On-site for project oversight
- • Self-contained living
- • Can sell RV after remodel
- • Some privacy from workers
Cons:
- • Check zoning laws first
- • Very cramped quarters
- • Needs hookups (power, water, sewer)
- • Weather-dependent comfort
- • HOA may prohibit
Budget: $15,000-$50,000 to buy (or $1,500-$3,000/month to rent)
3. Calculate Your Housing Budget
Temporary housing should be a line item in your overall remodel budget, not an afterthought. Here's how to calculate it:
Housing Budget Calculator:
4. Search and Secure Housing Early
Don't wait until construction starts. Secure your temporary housing 4-6 weeks before your move-out date.
What to Look For:
- ✓Proximity: 10-15 minute drive from your project. You'll visit daily.
- ✓Flexible lease: Month-to-month after initial term if possible.
- ✓Pet-friendly: If you have pets, this is non-negotiable.
- ✓Furnished options: Saves moving furniture twice.
- ✓Work-from-home space: If you remote work, ensure adequate setup.
- ✓School district: Consider if you have school-age children.
5. Plan the Logistics
Moving out and living elsewhere requires significant logistics planning. Handle these details before construction starts.
Moving Logistics:
- • Rent storage unit for belongings not moving to temporary housing
- • Forward mail to temporary address
- • Update address with important accounts (temporarily)
- • Set up utilities at temporary location
- • Transfer or duplicate prescriptions to nearby pharmacy
- • Identify new routes for commute, school, errands
What to Take to Temporary Housing:
- • Essential clothing (seasonal items can go to storage)
- • Important documents and valuables
- • Kids' favorite items, toys, school supplies
- • Work equipment (computer, monitors, etc.)
- • Pet supplies and vet records
- • Kitchen essentials if unfurnished
- • Linens and towels if unfurnished
If You Must Live On-Site
Sometimes staying on-site is the only financial option. If you must do it, here's how to make it (barely) survivable:
Create a True Seal
Use heavy plastic sheeting and tape to seal your living area completely. Include zipper doors for entry/exit. This isn't optional—construction dust is incredibly fine and travels everywhere.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
You'll need: microwave, hot plate or induction burner, mini fridge, basic dishes and utensils, and access to water for washing. Accept that you'll eat out more than usual.
Protect One Bathroom Completely
Make it clear that one bathroom is off-limits to workers. Keep it stocked with cleaning supplies—you'll be cleaning it constantly.
Establish Clear Boundaries
Put in writing: work hours, noise limits, which areas are off-limits, bathroom access for workers, and a process for entering your space.
Get Air Purifiers
Multiple HEPA air purifiers running continuously in your living space. Construction dust causes real health issues. Budget $500-$1,000 for good units.
Plan Regular Escapes
Schedule weekend getaways, even just to a hotel. Give yourself breaks from the chaos. This isn't luxury—it's survival.
Reality Check
Even with all these precautions, living through a whole-home remodel is miserable. If there's any way to budget for temporary housing, do it. The money saved isn't worth the relationship strain, health impacts, and reduced quality of life.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating the timeline
Why it's a problem: You sign a 6-month lease for a 12-month project and end up scrambling
What to do instead: Add 50% to your contractor's estimate. Get flexible lease terms.
Not budgeting for temporary housing
Why it's a problem: You're forced to live on-site because there's no money for alternatives
What to do instead: Include temporary housing as a line item in your remodel budget from day one.
Staying with family too long
Why it's a problem: Even the best relationships strain after 3+ months of cohabitation
What to do instead: If using family housing, have an exit plan and don't exceed 2-3 months.
Renting too far from your project
Why it's a problem: You need to visit daily. A long commute makes this exhausting.
What to do instead: Prioritize proximity. 10-15 minutes is ideal; 30+ minutes is too far.
Trying to 'tough it out'
Why it's a problem: Living in construction chaos takes a toll on health, relationships, and decision-making
What to do instead: Treat temporary housing as essential, not optional. It's self-care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I live in my house during a whole-home remodel?
It's extremely difficult and usually not recommended. A true whole-home remodel means no functioning kitchen, limited bathrooms, constant dust and noise, and potentially no running water or electricity at times. Most homeowners who try to live through it deeply regret the decision.
How much should I budget for temporary housing during a remodel?
Budget $2,000-$5,000 per month depending on your location and space needs. For a typical 8-12 month whole-home remodel, expect to spend $20,000-$60,000 on temporary housing. Include this in your overall remodel budget from the start.
How long will I need temporary housing for a whole-home remodel?
Plan for 10-14 months minimum. This includes 8-12 months of construction plus buffer time for delays (which almost always happen). Secure month-to-month or flexible leases when possible.
Should I rent or stay with family during a remodel?
It depends on your situation and duration. Staying with family can save money but strains relationships, especially beyond 2-3 months. Renting gives privacy and normalcy but costs $2,000-$5,000/month. Many start with family then move to a rental.
What should I look for in temporary housing during a remodel?
Prioritize: proximity to your home (you'll visit daily), flexible lease terms, pet-friendly if needed, adequate space, and furnished options. Also consider parking, work-from-home space, and school district.
Ready for the Next Step?
With your living situation planned, it's time to start building your professional team. The next step is hiring an architect who will translate your vision into buildable plans.