Living During Your Home Renovation: A Wisconsin Homeowner's Survival Guide

Can You Really Live in Your Home During a Renovation?

The short answer is yes, and many Wisconsin homeowners do exactly that. At Platinum Renovations, we've worked with many families in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington, and Ozaukee Counties who chose to stay in their homes during kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, and basement finishing projects. While it's not always easy, with the right planning and a contractor who understands the challenges, living through a renovation is absolutely manageable.

We've been serving Southeastern Wisconsin for nearly 30 years, and one thing we've learned is this: homeowners who stay in their homes during renovations often end up happier with the final result. Why? Because they're present to make real-life decisions, see how spaces function at different times of day, and catch small details that might otherwise be missed. That said, living through a home renovation requires realistic expectations, solid planning, and a few survival strategies. Let's walk through everything you need to know.

Why Wisconsin Homeowners Choose to Stay During Renovations

Cost Savings: Moving to a hotel or temporary rental for weeks or months adds significant expense to your renovation budget. For a typical 8-12 week kitchen remodel, temporary housing costs can easily exceed $5,000-$10,000 in the Milwaukee metro area. That's money better spent on upgraded countertops or custom cabinetry.

Project Oversight: Being on-site allows you to monitor progress, answer contractor questions quickly, and make timely decisions. When you're present, small issues can be addressed immediately rather than waiting for scheduled check-ins.

Home Security: An empty home during renovation can be a security concern, especially in Wisconsin's winter months when pipes could freeze, or weather could cause unexpected issues. Staying in your home means someone's always there to respond to emergencies.

Understanding Your Space: Living in your home during renovation gives you invaluable insights into how the space works. You'll notice which areas get the best morning light, where your family naturally congregates, and what daily patterns emerge—all information that helps create a better final design.

What to Know Before You Start

The Reality of Construction Life

Even with the best contractor (like Platinum Renovations, where we pride ourselves on keeping job sites clean), construction is inherently messy. Dust will find its way into places you didn't know existed. Noise will start early. Your daily routine will be disrupted. This isn't meant to discourage you; it's about going in with eyes wide open. Homeowners who expect perfection during construction often end up frustrated. Those who accept that temporary inconvenience leads to long-term improvement fare much better.

Timeline Considerations

When you live on-site, certain work must be scheduled around your family's needs. Contractors can't access every area at once, which may slightly extend the project timeline compared to working in an empty home. However, at Platinum Renovations, we create detailed schedules that minimize disruption while keeping projects on track.

Wisconsin Weather Factors

Timing matters in Wisconsin. If your renovation involves exterior work, like replacing windows or working on additions, plan for warmer months. Living through a renovation is challenging enough without having your home exposed to January temperatures while contractors work on exterior walls.

Room-by-Room Renovation Strategies

Kitchen Renovation: Creating a Temporary Cooking Space

Set Up a Temporary Kitchen:

• Choose a location away from the construction zone (dining room, garage, or even a covered patio)

• Essential items: mini-fridge, microwave, slow cooker, toaster oven, coffee maker

• Use a shelving unit or folding table for organization

• Stock up on disposable plates, cups, and utensils (consider compostable options)

• Set up a beverage station with a water dispenser or water cooler

Wisconsin-Specific Tip: During warmer months, take advantage of outdoor grilling! Many of our clients discover they love cooking outside so much that they continue using their grill year-round, even after the kitchen is complete.

Simplify Your Meals: This isn't the time for elaborate cooking. Embrace simple meals, takeout, and meal prep services. Many Wisconsin families use their kitchen renovation as an excuse to finally try all those local restaurants they've been meaning to visit.

Plan Your Dishwashing Strategy: Without a kitchen sink, cleaning dishes becomes challenging. Some homeowners use a large plastic bin with soapy water in the bathroom. Others rely entirely on disposables during the renovation. There's no perfect solution—just choose what works for your family.

Bathroom Renovation: Managing Personal Space

If You Have Multiple Bathrooms:

• Renovate one bathroom at a time

• Create a bathroom schedule to prevent morning traffic jams

• Use only essential toiletries to maximize limited space

• Consider adding a shower caddy that can be carried between bathrooms

If You're Renovating Your Only Bathroom: This scenario is challenging and may require alternative arrangements:

• Ask friends or family if you can use their shower in the mornings

• Consider a gym membership for the duration (many Wisconsin gyms offer short-term memberships)

• Some clients choose to stay with relatives during the most disruptive phases

• Install a temporary sink in another room if possible

Minimize Personal Items: This is an excellent time to declutter your bathroom. Pack away everything except absolute necessities. You'll appreciate a fresh start when the new bathroom is complete, and moving back in will feel like checking into a spa.

Basement Renovation: Maximizing Your Remaining Space

Basement renovations are generally easier to live through since they don't affect your primary living spaces. However, there are still considerations:

Access and Noise: If your only access to the basement is through your main living area, expect contractors moving through your home daily. Good contractors (like us at Platinum Renovations) use protective coverings on floors and contain dust with plastic barriers.

Storage Solutions: If you've been using your basement for storage, you'll need to relocate items before work begins. This is an excellent opportunity to declutter—don't move things you don't actually need into your already-crowded living spaces.

Temperature Control: During a basement finish, some homeowners notice temperature changes in their home as insulation is added and HVAC systems are modified. This temporary adjustment is normal and resolves once the project is complete.

Managing Dust, Noise, and Disruption in Wisconsin Homes

Dust Control Strategies

Dust is inevitable during renovation, but quality contractors take steps to minimize it:

What Platinum Renovations Does:

• Set up plastic barrier walls with magnetic zipper doors

• Use HEPA air filters to capture airborne particles

• Apply protective coverings on floors, furniture, and doorways

• Clean up daily before leaving the job site

• Seal off HVAC vents in construction zones to prevent dust circulation

What Homeowners Can Do:

• Keep doors to non-construction areas closed at all times

• Change HVAC filters more frequently during renovation

• Use air purifiers in living spaces

• Wipe down surfaces daily in your living areas

• Consider temporarily removing delicate items or valuables

Health Considerations: If anyone in your home has respiratory issues, allergies, or is particularly vulnerable to dust (young children, elderly family members), discuss enhanced dust control measures with your contractor. Some families temporarily relocate vulnerable family members during the dustiest phases.

Noise Management

Construction is loud. Here's how to cope:

Schedule Around Your Needs: Work with your contractor to schedule the noisiest tasks when they'll cause the least disruption. If someone works night shifts, communicate this clearly. If you have young children who nap at specific times, let your contractor know.

Create Quiet Zones: Identify which rooms are farthest from construction and make them your retreat spaces. Set them up with comfortable seating, entertainment, and everything you need to escape the chaos.

Time Outside the Home: Plan activities outside the house during peak construction hours. Wisconsin offers plenty of options:

• Local coffee shops for remote work

• Libraries for quiet space

• Parks and nature trails when weather permits

• Museums and community centers

• Shopping or errands you've been putting off

Contractor Communication and Coordination

Daily Check-Ins: At Platinum Renovations, we believe in clear, consistent communication. We typically check in daily with homeowners living on-site to discuss progress, address concerns, and coordinate the next day's work.

Decision-Making: Being on-site means you'll need to make decisions more quickly. Contractors can't wait days for answers when they're standing in your home with work to do. This actually benefits you—decisions made while seeing the space in person tend to be better than those made from memory.

Professional Boundaries: While we appreciate homeowners being present, there's a balance. Trust your contractor to do their job without constant supervision. Watching every move won't speed up the process and can actually slow things down.

Protecting Your Belongings and Furniture

What to Move and Store

Must-Remove Items:

• Valuable artwork and collectibles

• Delicate electronics (especially near dusty areas)

• Important documents and paperwork

• Sentimental items you can't replace

• Expensive rugs and carpets in or near construction zones

What Can Stay:

• Large furniture that's difficult to move (cover it with contractor-grade plastic)

• Items in rooms far from construction

• Everyday furniture in your "safe zone" rooms

Wisconsin Storage Solutions: Many Wisconsin homeowners use their garages for temporary storage during renovation. If your garage isn't climate-controlled, avoid storing items that are sensitive to temperature changes during Wisconsin's extreme seasonal swings.

Wisconsin-Specific Considerations

Seasonal Timing

Wisconsin's dramatic seasonal changes affect renovation planning:

Winter Projects:

• Interior work like kitchens and bathrooms work well in winter

• Homes stay closed, containing dust and keeping heating costs manageable

• Schedule exterior work carefully to avoid leaving your home exposed to cold

• Snow and ice can delay material deliveries

Spring/Summer Projects:

• Ideal for projects involving exterior access

• Open windows help with ventilation and dust management

• Outdoor living spaces provide relief from indoor construction

• This is our busy season—book early!

Fall Projects:

• Pleasant weather for both indoor and outdoor work

• Good time to complete projects before holiday hosting season

• Schedule completion before winter weather arrives

The Platinum Renovations Approach to Living On-Site

How We Make It Easier

After nearly 30 years serving Wisconsin families, we've learned what makes living through renovation bearable:

Detailed Scheduling: We provide clear timelines so you know what to expect each day. No surprises about when water will be shut off or which rooms will be inaccessible.

Daily Clean-Up: We don't leave job sites messy. Every evening, we clean up, secure tools and materials, and leave your home as tidy as construction allows.

Protective Measures: We use professional-grade protective coverings, dust barriers, and HEPA filtration to minimize impact on your living spaces.

Respect for Your Home: Your home is your sanctuary, and we treat it accordingly. We remove shoes, keep noise reasonable, and work efficiently to minimize disruption.

Clear Communication: We check in regularly, answer questions promptly, and keep you informed about progress and any issues that arise.

Family-Owned Values: As a family business, we understand what it means to live in a home during construction because we've been there ourselves. We bring empathy and understanding to every project.

Final Thoughts: Is Living Through Renovation Worth It?

Here's what we tell every Wisconsin homeowner considering whether to stay during their renovation: yes, it's challenging. Yes, there will be moments when you question your sanity. But yes, it's absolutely worth it.

The families who stay in their homes during renovation save money, maintain better project oversight, and often end up with results they're happier with because they were present for key decisions. The temporary inconvenience leads to decades of enjoying a space that perfectly fits your needs.

At Platinum Renovations, we've guided many Wisconsin families through this process. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to make your renovation as smooth as possible while you continue living your life.

Ready to Start Your Renovation?

If you're in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington, or Ozaukee County and thinking about a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or basement finishing project, we're here to help. We'll walk you through every step of the process, including creating a realistic plan for living in your home during construction.

Contact Platinum Renovations:

• Phone: 262-326-0207

• Email: info@platinumrenovationswi.com

We offer free in-home consultations where we can discuss your project, timeline, budget, and strategies for living comfortably during construction. Let's turn your renovation dreams into reality—without turning your life completely upside down.