Should You Live in Your House During a Kitchen Remodel?

Can you go a month without a stove? Six weeks without a sink? This is something many have to ask when preparing for a kitchen remodel. Depending on the work to be done (and who’s doing it), the room can be out of commission for quite a stretch of time. 

Today, we’re helping you decide if you should continue to live in a house during a kitchen remodel, with temporary kitchen tips, timelines, and more.

How long can you live without a kitchen? Remodeling timelines

A full kitchen remodel takes one to three months to complete on average. Why so long?

Various contractors and subcontractors, from plumbers to tile setters to carpenters, cannot complete their work at once. Many of these pros take turns in a sequence that makes sense. 

Your amenities won’t be unusable for the whole stretch, but there will be downtimes. Keep this in mind when estimating how long you can realistically live without a kitchen. It varies, but here’s an example of how long certain project types can take, with estimates for how long amenities may be down: 

Full function is often restored in phases. You may have a sink for a few weeks, but no dishwasher. The cooktop can be accessible, but plumbing may be in limbo.

4 Reasons to live in your house during a kitchen remodel

If you can help it, you’d rather remain at home. Here are four signs that it is indeed possible to live in a house while the kitchen is being remodeled.

1. You have an outdoor kitchen or extra space for a temporary one.

A grill, a sink, and some cabinets are all people need. There’s no better time to use the outdoor kitchen. A semi or fully finished basement or garage work, too.

2. Cabinets and countertops are the main remodel highlights.

If the remodel focuses on cosmetic and cabinet fixes, the water won’t be off as long. There’ll be a lot less dust and foot traffic on site, too.

3. You’re not at home a lot and are pretty flexible.

Working outside of the home, errands galore, places to be, and people to meet. If that sounds like you, any disruptions won’t hit you as hard.

4. The contractor is phasing the work to accommodate your needs.

In some situations, you and a contractor may plan and schedule utility downtime so you’re in/out on certain days. There may also be a temporary sink, zip walls, or other solutions to keep the space relatively livable.

4 Reasons to reconsider staying in your home

Everyone wants you to love your new kitchen. No one wants you to tear your hair out. But you may want to book a vacation or visit some good friends if this describes you.

1. You work from home.

Need some peace to think? If a kitchen remodel is going on in the background, you may not get it. Zoom meetings with a saw blaring in the background are another possibility.

2. You have small children or are a caretaker. 

Your kitchen will be a construction site, which is notoriously unsafe for kids. It’s also much more difficult to tend to the needs of anyone who depends on you without a functioning kitchen.

3. There are major structural/layout changes.

Full guts and new layouts take the longest, are the loudest, and also the messiest. A comprehensive remodel by itself can mean you should leave for a few weeks at least.

4. You or someone in the house is asthmatic or immunocompromised.

Mitigating dust 100% during a kitchen remodel isn’t a strong likelihood. Removing old materials can kick up some very irritating particles. Infants, the elderly, and those with certain health conditions are better off elsewhere.

Should you stay or should you go? Decision checklist

Before we whip out the hot plate, it’s time to give firm answers to direct questions. If you answer “yes” to two or more of these questions, you likely need to leave for at least part of the remodel.

• Is the kitchen remodel more than four weeks long, with layout changes? Y/N

• Can you afford a short-term rental or hotel stay for a few weeks? Y/N

• Do you have to be home the majority of working daylight hours? Y/N

• Do you have children under 5 years of age, as well as pets? Y/N

• Is anyone in the household predisposed to breathing issues or air quality changes? Y/N

Surviving a kitchen remodel: Temporary kitchen tips

So, you’re determined to stay behind. Here are five ways to ensure a decent temporary kitchen to get you through.

1. Location. Garage, basement, outdoor kitchen, or dining room. Needs an outlet and water nearby. Shouldn’t impede traffic through the remodel zone.

2. Appliances. Choose from a mini-fridge, microwave, hot plate, kettle, and coffee maker. Your best bets may also include an air fryer and a slow cooker.

3. Dishwashing and cleaning. If there’s no sink, a large tub can work. Place a drying rack nearby. Include some disposable plates and utensils. 

4. Storage. Don’t bring the full contents of your former kitchen with you. A few large totes should be enough to contain your temporary pantry with the odd pan or pot.

5. Make a meal plan. Decide what you can prepare ahead of time and how you’ll do it. Budget for takeout a few times a week–you’ll need it. 

Reduce stress and know what to expect with a professional kitchen designer.

Ready for a kitchen remodel, and feel like too much is up in the air? The Designery can help. When you go into a project with a strong plan, you’re more prepared to go with the flow. From exceptional design to quality cabinets and trusted contractor relationships, we’ll help you get through this. No matter where you’re staying. 

“The 4th company we reached out to about a kitchen remodel, and the one and only to give us the perfect design. We are extremely satisfied and overjoyed with our brand new, fully functional kitchen. We will use the Designery again when we’re ready to upgrade bathrooms.”

Michelle, The Designery client

Schedule your free consultation to start.