You have purchased a new home and are looking forward to moving in. But there are certain things that you are not entirely happy with and want to make a few changes. It is not easy to decide whether to renovate before or after moving into your new home. There are several factors to take into account. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Before Making A Decision
Two important questions need to
answer before you decide whether to renovate before or after moving into your
new home:
1. Is The Home New?
If your home is new but needs a
few tweaks here and there, your best bet would be to renovate after moving in.
Get to know the place a bit better and figure out what
needs to be done. The more time you spend in your home, the more you will
realize what is missing or what needs fixing. Also, you may have had bigger plans than were actually necessary. After
moving into your new home, it may become evident that it is not vital to make
those changes. This decision can end up saving you money, time, and energy.
2. Is Your New Home A Fixer-Upper?
If the home you bought is in bad
shape, it might be worth postponing that move and renovating before moving into
your new home. The scope of the
construction might be too large for you to live in any corner of the house
while it is taking place.
Preparing For The Move
Whether you decide to move in
straight away or wait for the remodel, there are several tasks you
should handle before making that big move. Make lists of moving day tasks
ahead of time, organize a moving company, and rent a storage unit if needed. A rule of thumb is to start preparing at
least one month before moving—ideally two. This way, you will have
everything in place and not get overwhelmed on the week before the big day.
Pros and Cons of Renovating After Moving Into Your New Home
Suppose you are planning to
remodel your entire home. No one likes living in a construction zone, and the whole family might suffer due to
this stress. In that case, it is advisable to have the home
renovation done before moving in.
How Long Will The Renovation Take?
Renovating after moving in can be
a good idea as it gives you time to figure out exactly how to use all the
separate rooms. You will also come up with many ideas on how to modify what
needs to be changed.
However, it all depends on the
extent of the work you had in mind:
- If the renovation is going
to take a long time, you might regret staying in and suffering through the
noise or periods of missing walls or windows
- If the design promises a fast
turnaround, you may be able to go through the remodel without too much disruption
Most importantly, the time the
renovation process takes should not impact your quality of life. If it is a
period you can endure, move right in by all means. However, if you think it
will take far too long—it is best to wait it out.
Dealing with Finances
An advantage of renovating after
moving into your new home is that you will not have to rent temporary housing.
Taking care of both might drain your finances. You will not have that financial
stress and won't be torn on both ends. You will also not have the extra
expenses of renting a storage unit for your belongings.
Here are some additional disadvantages:
- Your
Comfort Levels May Be Low
- While the kitchen
remodeling is taking place, you may need to improvise a space to
prepare food
- Some areas of the house will be
inaccessible
- You might be missing a lot of
furniture, including doors and windows
- Redecorating
the bathroom may turn out to be quite an inconvenience for a bigger
family
- Living
in A Construction Zone
- If you have children or pets, staying
away from hazardous areas might be a challenge
- The noise may be highly disruptive to
your routine, especially if you are working from home or have small kids
- Construction vehicles will take over
your driveway, and you may be forced to park on the street
Pros and Cons of Renovating Before Moving Into Your New Home
If the renovation is on a larger scale, it may be better for
you to start the construction before moving into your new home. Doing so will
minimize the disruption to your everyday life. In that case, you may need to
put some of your belongings away during this period. Experts from Teddy Moving and Storage advise hiring a
moving crew to transport your items and make your life easier.
Big Layout Changes
If you know you’re going to be
replacing the roof or breaking down walls, it is better to postpone the move into your new home. A large portion of
your home won't be liable for the first few months, anyway. There will be too
much debris from demoing and rebuilding, rewiring electrical, and installing
new floors. Also, contractors and workers will occupy your space for several
weeks, even months. All this will make it difficult to settle into your new
home and enjoy it properly.
Financial Issues
Your living situation will be
temporary, and you may need to invest in
maintaining your rental for an indefinite time. Renovations typically last longer
than anticipated as various issues may come up in the process. This open-ended
situation may be uncomfortable and financially draining.
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