Should I Stay or Should I Go? Pros and Cons of Living at Home During a Kitchen Remodel
February 21, 2025
From our experience—both personal and learned through working with our clients at The Insider Studio—we know that living at home during a kitchen remodel is no small feat. It’s a choice loaded with advantages and challenges, and we’re here to break it all down. Whether you’re contemplating staying put or packing up for a temporary escape, here’s an honest breakdown of the experience, plus tips and tricks to help make this turbulent time as smooth as possible.
The Insider Studio's Perspective on The Pros and Cons of Staying Home
Pros:
Design Decisions in Real Time Staying at home means you’re on-site to address inevitable unexpected questions, and make those “on-the-fly” design decisions that always seem to pop up.
Cost Savings Relocating—even temporarily—can strain your budget, especially if unforeseen delays arise. By staying put, you save on living expenses and can redirect those funds toward upgrades like high-end finishes or state-of-the-art appliances.
Family Routine Stays Intact (Well, Mostly) For households with kids, pets, or elderly family members, sticking to familiar surroundings can offer a sense of stability amidst the upheaval.
Cons:
Noise Pollution Construction noise is no joke—hammering, sawing, drilling—it can be relentless, especially if you work from home or have babies who nap during the day.
Dust, Dust, and More Dust Remodeling creates fine dust that manages to infiltrate even the most unlikely corners of your home. It’s an uphill battle to keep it contained.
Inconvenience No stove? No sink? Welcome to the world of makeshift meal prep. While the novelty of takeout might seem fun at first, it can quickly wear thin.
The Strain of Constant Company Having workers in your home daily can feel like a significant invasion of privacy, with little reprieve from the presence of others in your personal space.
Critical Factors We’ve Learned to Consider at The Insider Studio
Do You Work From Home? If your job requires focus, the noise and disruptions might make remote work challenging. Options like co-working spaces or working from a friend’s home could be lifesavers.
Do You Have Pets or Young Children? Pets might react poorly to the noise, dust, or unfamiliar workers. Young children may not understand boundaries or safety precautions. A safe play area or pet retreat is essential.
Your Neighbors Matter Too Construction impacts more than just you. Noise, dust, and contractor parking can cause friction. Be proactive—inform neighbors about the project and its timeline, and work with your crew to minimize inconvenience.
The Insider Studio’s Tried-and-True Tips for Staying Sane
Ask Your Contractor to Set Up a Dust Barrier A good contractor will typically set up a dust barrier with plastic sheets and painter’s tape to seal off construction zones from your living spaces, adding a zipper for ease of access. Pair this with an air purifier to keep dust and fumes at bay.
Set Up a Makeshift Kitchen Choose a location (garage, dining room, or patio) and equip it with:
A mini fridge
A microwave
A portable cooktop
A washing station with a large tub or access to a bathroom sink
Keep the Essentials Handy From what we’ve learned with our clients at The Insider Studio, having the basics within reach is invaluable. Stock up on essential pantry items, basic utensils, and disposable plates or cups to make meal prep in your temporary setup less stressful.
Plan Escape Routes Have go-to spots where you can retreat to avoid noise—like parks, libraries, coffee shops, or a friend’s house. A change of scenery can do wonders for your sanity during the project.
By planning ahead and leaning on these strategies, The Insider Studio believes you can stay sane and make it through with your vision—and your peace of mind—intact.
Thoughtful Tips from The Insider Studio for Working with Your Contractor
Bathroom Access Designate a bathroom for the crew and ensure it’s stocked with necessities like soap and paper towels. This small courtesy can go a long way.
Make Parking Accessible Ensure your contractors have convenient parking for unloading tools and materials. In many cases, permits or job cards for construction projects include parking allotments in front of the home, which can simplify the process. By planning ahead, you can keep the project running smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays.
Respect Boundaries Trust your contractors and their expertise. At The Insider Studio, we’ve learned that giving the crew space to work without hovering or frequent interruptions helps them stay focused and efficient. If you have questions, direct them to the contractor or project lead instead of the crew—this ensures clarity and avoids unnecessary stress on the workers.
Mind Your Neighbors Construction affects more than just your household. Ensure contractors keep noise levels within acceptable hours and don’t block neighbor driveways. These thoughtful gestures can help maintain good relations.
Set Expectations with the Lead It’s helpful to know how often the project lead will be on-site to oversee the work. At The Insider Studio, we’ve found that regular check-ins with the lead helps avoid miscommunication and keeps the project on track.
Offer Refreshments Providing the crew with coffee, water, or even cookies from time to time is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for their hard work. Considering the physical demands of construction, small gestures like these can make a big difference. This is especially meaningful during extreme weather when the home might be cold or hot due to construction conditions.
So, Should You Stay or Should You Go?
Ultimately, the decision to stay or move out during a kitchen remodel is deeply personal. At The Insider Studio, we understand it depends on your ability to manage noise, dust, and disruptions. If staying home feels too overwhelming, there’s no shame in choosing a temporary escape with family, friends, or booking a short-term rental.
If you do decide to stick it out, remember: the challenges are fleeting, and the reward of your stunning new kitchen will be well worth it.
From all of us at The Insider Studio, either way, we salute your resilience and resourcefulness through the process.
Have you faced a kitchen remodel before? What were your survival hacks? Share your experiences and ideas below!