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I recommend making your temporary housing plan before you finalize the renovation schedule. That one decision can protect your routine, your budget, and your patience while the work is underway.
If you are planning a basement renovation, I suggest reading “Where to Stay During Home Renovation: Your Complete Guide” by Paul Demrovski from PD Renovations. It gives you a clear way to decide whether you should stay home, move out, or create a short-term setup that fits your project.
The right answer depends on the type of renovation, how much of your home will be affected, and what you need each day to live with comfort.
Start With the Basics
Before you compare hotels, rentals, or family options, look at what your home will still provide during construction.
Ask yourself:
- Will you have a working bathroom?
- Will you have a usable kitchen?
- Will you have a quiet place to sleep?
- Will your power, water, and heat stay on?
- Will dust, noise, or access issues affect your day?
If the answer is no to several of these, leaving the home may be the better plan.
I usually suggest thinking in terms of daily function, not only project size. A small bathroom project can cause major disruption if it removes your only bathroom. A larger basement project may be easier to live through if the rest of the home stays clean, safe, and usable.
Where to Stay During a Home Addition
A home addition can affect your whole property, even if the new space is being built on one side of the house.
Home additions often involve permits, structural work, framing, insulation, exterior openings, and changes to utilities. That can bring noise, dust, workers moving through the home, and periods where parts of the house feel unsettled.
For most home additions, I suggest planning to stay somewhere else during the heaviest parts of the work.
Good options include:
- A furnished short-term rental
- An extended-stay hotel
- A family member’s home for a limited period
- A temporary rental close to your school, work, or daily errands
A short-term rental often gives you the best balance if the project takes several weeks. You get bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry, and privacy. That can make life feel steady while the work continues.
You should also ask your contractor whether leaving the home will help the schedule. In many cases, an empty house gives the crew more access and fewer limits.
Where to Stay During a Basement Renovation
A basement renovation depends on how the space connects to the rest of your home.
If the basement has a separate entrance and the work stays contained, you may be able to remain in the house. That works best when dust control is strong, access paths stay clear, and your main living areas remain untouched.
If the basement renovation includes plumbing, egress work, moisture repair, major demolition, or electrical upgrades, you may want to leave during key phases.
I suggest asking these questions before you decide:
- Will workers need to pass through main living areas?
- Will the furnace, water heater, or electrical panel be affected?
- Will noise carry into bedrooms or work areas?
- Will storage items need to be moved out?
- Will the project create dust near shared air systems?
If your daily routine stays intact, staying can make sense.
If the project affects air quality, utilities, or access, book a short stay elsewhere during the messiest work.
Where to Stay During a Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom renovations create a simple decision point.
If you have another full bathroom, you may be able to stay.
If you only have one bathroom, I recommend moving out during the main construction phase.
A bathroom renovation can involve demolition, plumbing changes, waterproofing, tile work, inspections, and drying time. Even a well-managed project can make the space unusable for several days or longer.
Your best temporary stay options include:
- Staying with family if the project is short
- Booking a hotel for the main work period
- Renting a furnished unit if the timeline is longer
- Staying close to home to check progress with less travel
Do not base the choice only on the number of days. Think about how many mornings and evenings you can handle without a proper bathroom. For most people, that limit is short.
Where to Stay During a Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen renovations affect daily life because food, storage, cleanup, and family routines all depend on that space.
You can stay during a kitchen renovation if you create a temporary setup and the project timeline is manageable.
A basic temporary kitchen may include:
- Mini fridge
- Microwave
- Coffee maker
- Portable cooktop
- Disposable or easy-wash dishes
- Simple meal plan
- Table space away from the work zone
This can work for a short kitchen update.
For a larger kitchen renovation, I recommend considering a furnished rental or extended-stay hotel with a kitchenette. Takeout costs add up, and living without a proper kitchen can become tiring.
If you have children, pets, or a work-from-home schedule, moving out may protect your routine.
How to Choose the Right Temporary Stay
Do not choose based on price alone.
Look at the full cost and the full impact.
Compare:
- Rent or nightly rate
- Cleaning fees
- Parking
- Laundry access
- Pet fees
- Commute time
- Kitchen access
- Internet quality
- Space for work or school
A cheaper place can cost more if it creates long drives, poor sleep, or daily meal problems.
I recommend choosing the option that keeps your life stable while the renovation moves forward.
Why PD Renovations Is a Strong Choice
PD Renovations is a strong option for homeowners in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, St. Jacobs, New Hamburg, and nearby areas because they bring structure to complex work.
They have served Waterloo Region for more than 20 years and have completed more than 1,500 projects. Their services include home additions, basement renovations, bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, full home renovations, and custom design work.
What stands out is their process.
They start with planning, budgets, timelines, and design details before construction begins. That matters because your temporary housing plan depends on clear dates and a clear scope.
Their local experience also helps. Homes in the region can vary from older properties to modern builds, and each one comes with different layout, permit, and construction needs.
PD Renovations also offers a five-year warranty covering labour and materials. That gives homeowners added confidence after the project is complete.
I would recommend them over a less structured contractor because planning, communication, and project oversight matter as much as the finished space. A renovation can look good at the end, but the process still needs to be managed with care.
Final Thoughts
Your stay plan should match the disruption level.
For a home addition, leaving during major work often makes sense.
For a basement renovation, staying may work if the project is contained.
For a bathroom renovation, your decision depends on whether you have another bathroom.
For a kitchen renovation, a temporary setup can work for smaller jobs, while larger projects often call for a rental or hotel.
Plan early, ask direct questions, and choose a contractor with a clear process. That gives you more control, less stress, and a better renovation experience from start to finish.
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