Do I Need to Move Out During My Remodel? Here’s the Honest Answer for Spokane & North Idaho Homeowners
Let’s cut right to it: no one dreams of brushing their teeth in the utility sink or cooking dinner in a makeshift kitchen on the patio. But when you're remodeling your home—especially a kitchen, bathroom, or main floor—it’s a real possibility.
At The Building Company, we get this question all the time:
“Do we need to move out during our remodel?”
And like most remodeling questions, the answer is: It depends.
This article will walk you through the real factors that go into that decision—so you can weigh cost, comfort, and timeline before you pack a single box.
🏠 What Type of Remodel Are You Doing?
The scope and location of your remodel are the biggest factors.
✅ Projects Where Staying Home Usually Works:
- Hall bathroom remodels (when you have another bathroom)
- Basement finishing
- Bedroom additions
- Cosmetic upgrades (flooring, trim, lighting)
🚫 Projects That May Require Moving Out:
- Full kitchen remodels (especially in winter, when outdoor cooking is limited)
- Bathroom remodels when you only have one
- Major interior renovations that affect multiple rooms or utilities
- Whole-house or multi-room remodels
If we’re removing walls, replacing floors, and rerouting plumbing all at once—it’s usually easier, faster, and cheaper in the long run if you’re out of the house.
🔧 What About Noise, Dust, and Daily Life?
Even the best remodels are messy. We use dust control barriers, negative air machines, and floor protection systems—but construction is noisy, dusty, and disruptive by nature.
Ask yourself:
- Do you or your kids work or school from home?
- Do you have pets that might be stressed by noise and new people?
- Are you sensitive to smells (paint, adhesives, sealants)?
- Do you need access to clean bathrooms or a full kitchen daily?
Living through a remodel is absolutely possible—but it’s not always pleasant. We’ve had clients who were glad they stayed… and others who said, “Never again.”
⏱ Does Moving Out Speed Up the Remodel?
Yes—almost always.
When a house is empty, we don’t have to:
- Re-set work zones daily
- Wait for access around your schedule
- Work around active living spaces
- Install temporary protections or daily clean-up routines
That translates to fewer delays and faster completion. In some cases, we’ve seen projects wrap up 1–2 weeks sooner just because the home was unoccupied.
💰 What About Cost?
It might seem like staying put saves money—and sometimes it does. But here’s where it gets tricky:
Let’s say your kitchen remodel takes 10 weeks.
Now factor in:
- Takeout meals or outdoor cooking setup
- Extra time (and therefore labor cost) due to access restrictions or slowdowns
- Added dust containment and cleanup costs
- Emotional toll from daily disruptions
Now compare that to:
- A short-term rental or staying with family for 4–6 weeks
- Getting the project done faster and cleaner
In many cases, the hidden costs of staying home outweigh the rental cost.
🧠 Our Recommendation: Make the Decision Early
We work with you during pre-construction to help plan around your daily life. If staying is possible and safe, we’ll plan accordingly. If we see red flags that suggest a move-out is smarter, we’ll explain why—without pressure.
And if you do move out, we keep communication tight so you're still in the loop:
- Weekly progress updates
- Photos and milestone walk-throughs
- Easy access to ask questions or clarify decisions
Thinking About a Remodel in Spokane or North Idaho?
Whether you plan to stay put or escape the chaos for a few weeks, we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible.
We’ve helped families in South Hill, Post Falls, Hayden, and beyond remodel with confidence—because we don’t just build nice things, we build trust.
📱 Call or text: 509-625-6500
📧 Email: info@pnwbuild.com
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The Building Company is a proud member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), reflecting our commitment to education, excellence, and professional integrity.
