Do I Need to Move Out During My Remodel? What Spokane & North Idaho Homeowners Should Know
Remodeling your home is exciting—but it also raises one of the most practical and anxiety-inducing questions for homeowners:
“Can we stay in the house during the remodel… or do we need to move out?”
At The Building Company, we’ve worked with families from Spokane Valley to Sandpoint through everything from kitchen gut jobs to full-scale home renovations. The answer? It depends—on what you’re remodeling, how your home is laid out, and how much disruption you’re willing to live with.
Let’s walk through what you need to consider before you decide.
🛠️ What Are You Remodeling?
The scope of your project plays a major role in determining whether you can stay or need to temporarily relocate.
📋 Confirm Access
Make sure we know:
- How crews will get in and out each day.
- Where they should park.
- Any neighborhood rules or HOA requirements for trucks, dumpsters, or street parking?
We handle permits, but if your area has tight access or special conditions, let’s plan ahead.
🧘♀️ Mentally Prepare, Too
Demo Day feels exciting — and sometimes unsettling. Your familiar space is about to look worse before it looks better. That’s normal.
Remember:
- Dust and noise are part of the process.
- It will get messy before it gets pretty.
- Good communication is key — if something unexpected comes up behind the walls, we’ll walk you through next steps calmly and clearly.
🛠️ The Payoff
Once demo is done, the real transformation begins. Our crew and trusted trade partners work fast but carefully — staying clean, safe, and respectful of your home. And at every step, we keep you updated on what’s next.
Project Type
- Bathroom remodel
- Kitchen remodel
- Basement finish
- Whole-home renovation
- Large addition
- Reconfiguration of main floor
Can You Stay?
- Usually, if you have another
- Sometimes—with a temp kitchen
- Usually
- Rarely recommended
- Often, yes—depends on access
- Usually not ideal
The more your remodel affects plumbing, HVAC, or your only bathroom or kitchen, the more complicated (and stressful) staying becomes..
🔇 Noise, Dust & Disruption
Let’s be honest: remodeling is not quiet work. There are saws, compressors, hammers, music, and the occasional loud conversation about framing details. Add to that the dust, daily site traffic, and temporary loss of privacy, and staying put might not be your best move.
Even with dust protection, remodels produce noise and interruption. If you're working from home or have small kids, it’s worth weighing the mental load.
🧰 Safety & Logistics
On active job sites, there are cords, tools, open walls, exposed fasteners, and trip hazards. Pets and young children especially are at risk.
If we’re remodeling the area where you usually enter or exit your home—or if we’re touching electrical or plumbing systems that affect your whole house—it can mean partial or full shutdowns for hours (or even days).
We always coordinate carefully and keep things safe, but your comfort and daily flow matter.
🧠 Temporary Living Strategies
We’ve helped many clients live through remodels without losing their minds. Here are a few strategies that can help:
- Set up a temporary kitchen with a toaster oven, microwave, and coffee station
- Use alternate entrances if the main one is affected
- Establish “no-construction” zones in the home
- Adjust your work schedule or plan vacations around major demolition
- Stay nearby with family or in a rental for peak phases (like demo or floor refinishing)
The key is planning ahead. We help every client create a logistics plan before construction starts, so you’re not making decisions under stress.
🛏 When Moving Out Makes Sense
We often recommend temporary relocation when:
- You’re remodeling the only kitchen or bathroom in the home
- You have health issues or small children sensitive to dust/noise
- The remodel is on a tight timeline and interruptions will slow it down
- You’ll be without heating, cooling, or hot water for more than a day or two
A short Airbnb stay can help you avoid months of stress—and let us move faster without constantly working around daily life.
🧱 Real Stories from the Field
- Spokane Valley Kitchen Remodel: The homeowners lived on-site with a temp kitchen in the garage. It worked—but they admitted it wore on them by week 6.
- Hayden Lake Bathroom + Main Floor Reno: The family moved out for 3 weeks during demo and tile work. They said it was “100% the right call” and let them come home to a near-finished space.
Different families. Different decisions. We help you figure out what’s right for you.
Want to Know What Makes Sense for Your Remodel?
We don’t make assumptions—we walk your space, look at the scope, and help you build a plan that works for your family.
Whether you plan to stay in the home or step away for part of the process, we’ll make sure you’re informed, safe, and supported from start to finish.
📱 Call or text:509-890-0222
📧 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). These affiliations reflect our commitment to professional standards, client care, and continuing education.
