The Ultimate Dilemma for GTA Homeowners
Planning a major home renovation or a second-story addition is an exciting milestone. You are finally getting the dream kitchen, that spacious primary suite, or the extra living space your family desperately needs. However, before the drywall goes up and the paint dries, every homeowner faces one critical question: Should we stay in the house or move out during the renovation?
Living through a home renovation is no small feat. It involves dust, noise, and disrupted routines. At Partex Design Build, we’ve guided countless homeowners across Toronto, Mississauga, and the GTA through this exact dilemma.
To help you make the best choice for your family, budget, and sanity, here is our comprehensive guide to the pros, cons, and top survival tips if you decide to stay.
The Pros and Cons of Staying in Your Home
If your project involves a ground-floor extension, a basement remodel, or a main-floor interior renovation, it is often possible to section off a living area and stay in the home. (Note: If you are doing a second-story addition, staying is not an option during the structural phase—see below).
The Pros of Staying
- Cost Savings: The biggest advantage is financial. Short-term rentals, Airbnbs, or hotels in the GTA can easily cost thousands of dollars a month. Staying put keeps that money in your renovation budget.
- Daily Oversight: Living on-site allows you to see the progress daily, quickly answer contractor questions, and make rapid decisions on the fly.
- Fewer Transitions: You don’t have to deal with the hassle of packing up your entire family (and pets) to move twice within a few months.
The Cons of Staying
- Living in a Construction Zone: You will be living with loud noises (saws, hammers, heavy footsteps) starting early in the morning, which can be tough if you work from home.
- Dust and Dirt: Even with the best preparation, fine construction dust has a way of traveling.
- Lack of Privacy: Having a crew of builders, plumbers, and electricians in and around your home five to six days a week can feel intrusive over time.
The Pros and Cons of Moving Out
The Pros of Moving Out
- Peace and Quiet: You get to come home to a clean, quiet environment where you can relax at the end of the day.
- A Faster Build: When contractors don’t have to work around your family’s schedule, clean up meticulously every single afternoon, or maintain temporary plumbing/electrical for your use, they can often complete the project faster.
- Health and Safety: If anyone in your family has asthma, allergies, or if you have toddlers and curious pets, moving out completely removes them from hazardous materials and tools.
The Cons of Moving Out
- High Costs: Renting a temporary home adds a significant line item to your overall project costs.
- Logistical Hassles: Finding a short-term rental that allows pets, is in your kids’ school district, and fits your timeline can be incredibly stressful in the GTA market.
Top Tips for Surviving a Build if You Choose to Stay
If you decide that staying on the ground floor or in the basement is the best route for your family, preparation is everything. Here is how to maintain your sanity:
- Set Up a Temporary Kitchen: If your kitchen is out of commission, set up a micro-kitchen in another room. You will need a microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker, mini-fridge, and a dedicated space for washing dishes (even if it’s the laundry sink).
- Seal Off the Dust: Ensure your contractor uses heavy-duty plastic zip-walls to separate the construction zone from your living space.
- Establish “Safe Zones”: Designate specific areas of the house and yard as completely off-limits to the crew. This gives your kids and pets a safe place to play.
- Plan “Escape” Days: Plan weekend getaways, day trips, or days where you work from a local coffee shop just to get a break from the environment.
How Partex Design Build Minimizes Disruption
At Partex Design Build, we know that a major home addition in Toronto or Mississauga disrupts your daily flow. If you choose to stay, we prioritize your comfort. We implement strict site-management protocols, including heavy-duty dust barriers, daily site cleanups, and transparent communication. You will always know exactly when the water will be turned off or when a particularly noisy demolition day is happening, so you can plan accordingly.
The Exception: Second-Story Additions
While staying in your home is an option for many ground-level projects, second-story additions are the exception.
At Partex Design Build, client safety is our top priority. We do not allow clients to live in the home while the roof is off. Once the existing roof is removed, the entire first floor is totally exposed to the elements, and the house cannot be lived in safely.
If you are planning a second-story addition, expect to move out from the time of roof removal until the new upstairs is fully framed, sheathed, insulated, and watertight. This phase roughly takes 3 to 4 months. Once the home is watertight and safe, you may have the option to move back into the ground floor while our team finishes the interior work upstairs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it cheaper to move out during a home renovation?
Generally, staying in your home is cheaper because you save on rent. However, moving out can sometimes speed up the construction timeline slightly, which may save on labor costs. Overall, the out-of-pocket expense of a short-term rental usually outweighs the labor savings.
Can you stay in your house during a second-story addition?
No, for your safety, you cannot stay in the home during the primary construction phase. Once the existing roof is removed, the entire first floor is totally exposed, making it unsafe to live in. Most homeowners move out from the time of roof removal until the upstairs is fully insulated and watertight. You should budget to live elsewhere for roughly 3 to 4 months while the new second story is framed, sheathed, and secured from the weather.
How do you live without a kitchen during a remodel?
Preparation is key. Stock up on disposable/compostable plates to minimize dishwashing, prepare and freeze meals in advance, invest in a good slow cooker or Instant Pot, and set aside a budget for ordering takeout more often than usual.
What are the worst parts of living through a renovation?
Most homeowners agree that the fine dust, the early morning noise, and the feeling of your personal space being invaded are the hardest parts. Setting clear boundaries and maintaining a temporary, clean “sanctuary” room can help mitigate this.
Ready to Transform Your Home?
Whether you plan to move out or stay on the ground floor, choosing the right contractor makes all the difference. At Partex Design Build, we specialize in making major home renovations and second-story additions as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation for your GTA home addition!
