Should You Move Out During a Home Renovation or Extension?

If you’re planning a renovation or extension in London, there’s one question every homeowner eventually faces:
Should we move out while the work’s going on, or try to stay put?

It sounds like a simple choice, but once the dust, noise, and daily disruption begin, it can make all the difference. Over the years, we’ve worked with hundreds of families across London and the South East, and we’ve seen both sides of the story. There’s no right or wrong answer — just what’s right for you.

Living Through a Renovation: What It’s Really Like

Let’s be honest, living on a building site isn’t easy for anyone, and it's even more challenging if you have a family to look after. 

Even with the most organised team, construction creates dust, noise, and constant change. Rooms change from one stage to the next. Temporary walls go up. Flooring comes out. The kitchen might be out of commission for weeks, and mornings start early with deliveries and drills.

For smaller projects such as a single-storey extension or minor refurbishment, many families manage by sealing off part of the house and adjusting their routines. But for major structural work, whole-house refurbishments or anything involving new plumbing or electrics, living through it can quickly become overwhelming.

We’ve seen it happen: excitement in week one, frustration by week four, exhaustion by week eight.

When Staying Makes Sense

We believe that sometimes staying home is excellent. If your renovation only affects part of the house and you have access to essentials like a working kitchen and bathroom, staying can save you rent and keep family life familiar.

It’s also manageable if the project is short, say six to eight weeks, and your builders have clear boundaries in place.

At New Build Contractors, we often work in phases, allowing families to stay on site. We set up dust screens, use protective floor coverings and schedule noisy work around your day where possible. Clear communication makes a huge difference — knowing which rooms will be off limits and for how long helps you plan.

When It’s Better to Move Out

For larger or longer projects, moving out is almost always the better option.

If your renovation involves major structural changes, such as removing walls, replacing roofs, rewiring, or complete heating installations, the house may not be safe or practical to live in. Power and water may be off for days at a time. Floors may be open. Access routes change. Living there can also slow down the build. Every day spent cleaning, clearing or working around occupied rooms adds hours to the project timeline. Builders can’t start early or stay late, and deliveries have to be timed around family needs.

We had a client who moved out halfway through, and the difference was dramatic. The build sped up, trades could work uninterrupted, and the entire project was completed three weeks earlier than planned.

Cost

Yes, moving out means incurring extra expenses such as renting elsewhere or staying with family for a few months. But time is construction money.
If living off-site helps the project finish faster, you often recoup that cost through reduced labour hours and increased site efficiency.

It also helps your sanity. There’s real value in coming back to a clean, completed home rather than enduring the mess day after day.

Family, Pets and Daily Life

If you have young children or pets, moving out isn’t just convenient; it’s safer.
Renovations can expose sharp edges, tools, cables and open floors. Even in controlled environments, homes become unpredictable spaces.

For families, the noise and dust can feel endless. We’ve seen parents trying to work from home during major works — it’s stressful, and no amount of headphones can cancel out the sound of a hammer drill.

If staying is your only option, plan early. Set up a temporary kitchen and use portable storage to protect belongings. Keep at least one “clean zone” in the house for downtime.

How to Decide

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• Small project (one or two rooms)? You can probably stay — just expect dust and disruption.

• Whole house renovation or large extension? Moving out is safer, faster and less stressful.

• Do you have kids, pets, or work from home? Strongly consider temporary accommodation.

• Tight timeline? Moving out usually means the job gets done sooner.

If you’re not sure, ask your builder for an honest assessment. A good contractor will clearly communicate what to expect and help you make the right decision.

Final Thoughts

Renovating or extending your home is exciting; it’s the stage where you see your ideas come to life. But it’s also demanding. The best decision about whether to move out isn’t about money or convenience; it’s about what will help your project run smoothly and safely. At New Build Contractors, we’ve done every type of project from small kitchen extensions to full new builds — and we know how much planning makes a difference. We’ll provide you with honest advice based on your project’s size, schedule, and comfort.

Get in touch before you start renovating and we’ll help you weigh up the options, plan the timeline and make your home renovation as stress-free as possible whether you stay or move out during the build.