· 3 min read · By White Buffalo Bespoke
Whether you are having a kitchen fitted, a bathroom refurbished or an extension built, the big question is often not the finished result but how you will live in the meantime. Most of our clients stay at home, and it works well when it is planned properly.
1. Agree the plan before work starts
Talk through the programme and the order of work with your builder. Knowing when the water will be off, when the kitchen goes out of action and when the noisiest work happens lets you plan around it.
2. Set up a temporary kitchen
If your kitchen is being replaced, create a small area elsewhere with a kettle, microwave, toaster and a small fridge. Wash-up in a bathroom or utility sink. Plan easy meals and a few takeaways, and the weeks pass quickly.
3. Separate the work area from the rest of the home
Dust sheets, floor protection, temporary doors and taped-off zones keep dust and dirt in one place. We plan our work to minimise disruption and keep your home clean and tidy throughout.
4. Protect what matters
Move valuables, breakables and anything you cannot replace out of the working area. Cover furniture you cannot move, and keep important documents somewhere safe.
5. Be realistic about noise
Strip-out, drilling and cutting are loud. If you work from home, plan calls and meetings for the quieter periods, or arrange somewhere else to work for a few days.
6. Agree working hours and access
Make sure everyone knows the start and finish times, who has keys, how the property is secured at the end of the day and what happens when you are not at home.
7. Plan for children and pets
Keep children and animals away from the work area, especially during demolition and when tools and materials are out. A gate or a closed door is often all it takes.
8. Keep communication simple
Having one point of contact who manages the project makes a big difference. You should always know who to ask about changes, and get regular updates rather than chasing.
9. Decide when to step away
For bigger projects, you may want a few days away during particularly disruptive phases, such as when a whole floor is being replaced or services are being disconnected. It does not need to be a long stay.
10. Keep the end in mind
It helps to expect dust, noise and a few surprises, and to remember that the disruptive stages are temporary. A clear programme and regular updates keep the project moving and your patience intact.
When living at home works best
Living in the house is realistic for most kitchens, bathrooms, decorating projects and extensions built on the outside of the home. For whole-house renovations, particularly ones involving structural work throughout, we will advise you honestly on whether you should move out for part of the project.
Ask us how we would plan it
We plan each project to keep disruption low. Read more in our FAQ on working while you live at home, see how we run a project from first call to handover, or get in touch to talk through yours.
