Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

Renovating your home can be an exhilarating adventure, but when those hammers start swinging and the walls come tumbling down, you may want to steer clear and hit the road. Homeworks Construction has been building and remodeling homes for 30 years now and they shared some reasons why staying in your home through a major renovation may not be the best option.

Zen Zero.
Sure, there may be someone who loves a symphony of drilling and hammering, but it’s probably not you, your cat, or your keiki. If you have a napping baby, or work from home, forget about working with the noise. Moving temporarily means waving goodbye to the symphony of saws, providing a sanctuary for your sanity.

It’s so dirty.
You may think because the construction is in the kitchen, that the mess will stay in the kitchen. Nope. No matter how many sheets or dust covers you place on your couch or bed, the dirt will be on everything. You do not want to eat, bathe, or sleep in that mess. Dodge the dirt, skip the extra cleaning, and move out during the renovation if you can.

Quality work happens with focus.
“Your contractors can get their work done better and faster without tip-toeing around your cat, chatting, or maneuvering around you and your things. Focus is critical and that means limiting distractions,” said Marshall Hickox, President of Homeworks Construction. If you want a well-constructed project, let the professionals work without distraction or obstacles.

Savor the moment.
Most homeowners have saved and planned for renovation, and it’s nice to embrace it. Consider your move-out a mini-vacation that provides the opportunity to build excitement and dodge stress. Explore a new neighborhood, have fun. It’s the ultimate staycation that’ll leave you feeling refreshed and ready to embrace your ‘renovated’ life!

Safer choice.
“Trust me, you don’t want to live in a construction zone. Professionals are trained and take precautions to work in these spaces and it can still be dangerous,” said Hickox. Sharp objects, toxic materials, and tripping hazards can make your home unsafe. You, your family and your pets can ingest, breathe and come into contact with danger in a construction area. Homeowners also run the risk of ruining new materials and serious injury.

Stick to your budget.
“Believe it or not, staying out of your home during a renovation can actually help you stay on budget,” stated Hickox. Staying means you’ll be tempted to make impromptu changes. Those changes impact the timeline, materials, and labor. Impulsive changes are expensive. Moving out eliminates this temptation.

Too much of a good thing.
Remodeling a kitchen means cooking is off-limits and it may mean eating microwaved food or take-out more often if you stay in place,” said Hickox. Eating this way can be expensive, unhealthy, and aggravating. This situation is easily avoided by moving to a location with a kitchen while your home is under construction. Even if the kitchen isn’t the room being remodeled, homeowners shouldn’t prepare food or eat with hazards nearby.

Moving out during a renovation isn’t just a practical choice; it’s a smart, safe, and sanity-saving move. Homeworks Construction has worked with homeowners who, for various reasons, could not move out during a renovation. “We understand that circumstances are different for everyone and we do our best to work with all clients to keep them safe and happy,” said Hickox. A renovation is hard work, but when you plan carefully it can be one of the most rewarding parts of being a homeowner.

For more information on remodeling, additions, or the home construction process, contact Homeworks Construction at (808) 955-2777 or via email at mrh@homeworkshawaii.com. Head to their website homeworkshawaii.com or visit Homeworks’ Honolulu office at 2111 S. Beretania St.

For more helpful insights from on navigating the renovation process, check out Homeworks Construction’s recent article, Guide to a Less Stressful Construction Experience for Couples.