How to Live in Your Home During Renovation
You know what’s tougher than dealing with drilling noise? Trying to cook dinner while half your kitchen is sealed off with plastic sheets.
That’s the reality many Dubai homeowners face when they decide to live on-site during renovation. People often share how the excitement of upgrading quickly turns into frustration; dust everywhere, kids struggling with routines, even fights with neighbors over noise.
Living through renovation isn’t impossible, but without the right checklist and safety steps, it can feel like chaos. Take this guide as friendly advice from someone who’s seen homeowners in Dubai go through it all, the smart hacks, and the lessons learned. By the end, you’ll know not just how to survive a live-in renovation, but how to make it a little easier on your sanity.
Is It Possible To Live In A House During Renovation?
Here’s the truth: living in your home while it’s being torn apart sounds brave on paper, but in reality, it depends on how big your project really is.
I’ve seen Dubai families who managed just fine because only their kitchen was getting an upgrade. They set up a small camp kitchen with a microwave in the living room and carried on. With water cut off for days, constant drilling, and dust everywhere, it feels like camping in the desert but indoors.
So here’s the quick rule of thumb:
| Stay if the work is small and your contractor phases it out like one room at a time. |
| Move out if structural work, plumbing rewiring, or shutting down both your kitchen and bathrooms is involved. Comfort and health matter more than saving on rent. |
Rooms Affected
If critical areas like the kitchen or bathroom are closed off at the same time, staying in the house can be stressful. If the contractor works in phases, it’s easier to stay.
Family Size and Lifestyle
For small families or singles, adjusting is usually simpler. But if you have young children, elderly family members, or pets can make staying inconvenient or even unsafe.
Preparing Your Home Before Renovation Starts
The biggest mistake homeowners make? Jumping into renovation without preparing their home first. In Dubai, where contractors work fast and strict OA rules apply, preparation is not optional.
Declutter and Take “Before” Pictures
Start by clearing out extra stuff that could get in the way of the renovation. Donate or sell old items you don’t need. Also, take before pictures of your home, not just for memories, but as proof in case of any disputes with the contractor.
Protect Furniture and Valuables
Dust gets everywhere. Wrap sofas in plastic, bubble-wrap electronics, and move jewelry or documents to a locker. A lot of expats here use short-term storage lockers near Al Quoz or DIP for this reason.
Plan Storage Solutions
Renovation equals chaos. Use labeled boxes or portable shelves to organize. For bigger projects, off-site climate-controlled storage is common in Dubai that keeps your valuables safe from both dust and heat.
Setting Up a Temporary Living Space
No kitchen? No problem. Many Dubai families convert a balcony corner or spare room into a mini kitchen with an induction stove, electric kettle, and a portable fridge. Disposable plates save your energy from washing.
If you’re stuck with one bathroom, consider short-term fixes. Some homeowners buy gym memberships just for shower access during renovation weeks. Yes, really.
Renovation zones are unsafe playgrounds. Seal off a room with toys, bedding, and essentials. Families here often use play tents for kids and portable crates for pets.
Managing Noise, Dust, and Safety
This is where most families break. The dust, the noise. But there are smart ways:
- Dust Barriers & Purifiers: The biggest challenge during renovation is controlling dust. Contractors in Dubai often install plastic sheeting with zipper doors. Adding an air purifier or exhaust fan helps, especially if you’ve got elderly parents or kids.
- Noisy Work Hours: Most communities in Dubai, noisy tasks like drilling, tile cutting are only allowed 7 AM – 7 PM. Sync your meetings or kids’ naps around this.
Pro tip: OA inspectors in Dubai do check safety compliance, so this is also a legal necessity. Homeowners should:
- Seal exposed electrical points with tape.
- Discuss a schedule for closing water lines with the contractor.
- Keep tools and machinery locked or covered when work is paused. In Dubai, building management and municipalities strictly monitor safety compliance, so following these measures is also a legal requirement.
What Dubai Homeowners Say About Living Through Renovation
One homeowner shared on Reddit: “Understand the sequence of works, if the sequence is not followed, it gets messy and completed work gets damaged.”
The same person advised asking for daily site photos, as contractors might slowly compromise on quality if not monitored.
A user suggested: “Material of specific brand to be used … Make sure the material used is what you asked for.”
This tip is especially helpful for those living in the home during renovation to avoid surprises and maintain peace.
A 1 BHK apartment owner said: “It took a very long time because building management allows heavy drilling work only during working days from 10 AM to 2 PM.”
This shows renovations can take longer due to strict community rules in Dubai.
Cost Insights: “Total cost was 87k. Maybe 13k was additional furniture I bought.”
This suggests you can live in the home during renovation, but delays and extra costs for furniture or decor can add up.
Don’t Let Renovation Take Over Your Life
Renovating while living in your home can quickly turn from exciting to exhausting dust everywhere, delayed deadlines, and endless follow-ups with contractors. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
With Hausfit, you get more than just renovation support, you get a partner who monitors quality, and keeps your project on track, while you and your family stay stress-free.
Ready to make your renovation hassle-free? Book a free consultation with Hausfit today and let’s turn your vision into reality.
