Renovating a House with Three Kids Under Six
We knew that major renovations to our family home would not be easy. We had three kids under six years old, a limited budget, and a desire to live in a larger, more comfortable home. We did what any optimistic and slightly naive parent would do: we pushed through, determined to make it work.
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We even laughed off the worried looks and shocked gasps from friends and family. Even our family and friends laughed at the worried looks and gasps. We said, “It will be an adventure!”
Spoiler alert! It wasn’t a fun adventure.
We’re almost (almost!) out of the chaos. I want to tell you exactly what happened and what I wish we had known before embarking on this rollercoaster of living in a building zone with three energetic boys. Read on if you’re thinking about doing the same. Our dusty, ear-splitting experience will help you to keep your sanity.
1. Dust Will Rule Your Life
Let’s begin with the obvious. Dust. It’s not just a little dusting. I’m talking about relentless and fine construction dust, which is everywhere.
You can also try packing things in sealed boxes: close doors and tape cupboards. You can clean surfaces and vacuum every night. It won’t matter. Dust will settle on your cereal bowls, your baby’s crib, and your pantry. It’s in the hair of your children, on your books, and, worst of all, in your food. Our family has adopted a new recipe: spaghetti bolognese with plaster dust.
If I could turn back time, I would buy industrial-grade plastic sheets, air purifiers in every room, and perhaps just accept that we would all need to do a thorough cleaning of everything.
2. The Noise is at a Whole New Level
We knew builders made noise. They have to make noise. How else can you remove walls, install beams, and tile roofs without making noise?
The audio experience was not what I expected. The builders shout. They throw things. They drill, hammer, and saw. Classic rock is played on the radio at 7 am. Some people whistle whole symphonies. Some people just talk loudly from opposite sides of the room.
Every nap was a gamble. Our baby still took two naps per day. Will he sleep with the jackhammer noise? Most likely not. A five-year-old would start to cry out of frustration if he could not hear the television. Absolutely.
If you were hoping for quiet during construction, be prepared to be disappointed.
3. This is a Dangerous Zone For Kids
Construction sites are not for curious toddlers. They’re only for adults wearing hard hats, steel-capped booties, and other protective gear.
It’s like trying to keep cats out of a fireworks factory when you live on a construction site. Each day was a high-stakes game of What Will the Baby Eat Today?. (Spoiler – nails, screws, random pieces of wire) The older boys believed they were honorary tradesmen, climbing scaffolding and poking power tools. They also took advantage of leftover materials to create “projects.”
We had near-misses almost daily. My baby dropped the drill on his foot. My five-year-old fell into a foundation hole. My six-year-old tried to sneak up on the roof. I was torn constantly between letting them be and interfering with the tradespeople.
We should have used more solid barriers to separate “safe zones” from work areas. Not enough baby gates or warning tape were used. You need real boundaries, not just visual ones.
4. What is Privacy?
Privacy was a big part of my daily life, but I didn’t realize how important it was until the renovation.
The schedule of the tradesmen is not convenient for your morning routine. They arrive early, and sometimes even earlier than you expect. If you are not dressed in full by 6:45 a.m., mm then be prepared to meet the tiler wearing your pajamas. You could even get caught in the act of brushing your teeth while leaving the bathroom door wide open.
With so many different tradesmen coming and going – electricians, plumbers, builders, plasterers – you quickly lose track of who is supposed to be where. Now, my youngest child thinks that a half dozen men wandering randomly around his home is just normal. I’m sure that once they leave, he will start to ask where “his builders went”.
5. It is a Misery to Live Amongst Packed Boxes
We had to move quite a bit to make space for the renovations and protect our possessions. We still needed to have the daily necessities, such as clothes for our children, schoolbags, kitchen essentials, and laundry products, since we lived there.
What is the result? Scavenger hunts are ongoing.
We would dig through boxes every day looking for lost items such as a school hat, coffee mugs, TV remotes, or that matching sock. I wore two outfits every day for a week at one point because I could not access my wardrobe, and the washing machine had been disconnected.
You can’t count on your dishwasher, microwave, or Internet to work all the time. We were trying to use mobile data, make sandwiches with a flashlight, and wash dishes in the bath while dealing with grumpy children.
It was like camping–indoors–with children. I wouldn’t recommend it.
6. Temporary Moves Add Another Layer of Chaos
We had to leave our house for several weeks when the demolition began and the walls were removed. My mum kindly opened her home for us. She lives 45 minutes from us.
The daily shuffle is upon us: pack up the children, their lunches, and school equipment, drive to and fro, handle naps, commutes, and still get back in time for builders.
We still didn’t know where half of our possessions were. We were also constantly concerned that our cat might have escaped from home or become stuck on the ceiling.
Plan if you believe you may need to temporarily relocate. Do not make the same mistake we made.
7. No Backyard = Cabin Fever
One of our biggest challenges was losing access to the backyard.
When they are confined to the house, little kids require outdoor playtime. Our yard was off limits because of scaffolding, cement mixers, and mounds. This meant that the kids didn’t have anywhere to play, run, climb, or dig for several months.
They became grumpy. They got grumpy. We had more tantrums and more screen time. There was also a lot of indoor energy.
If we ever do it again (wait… did I mean that? I would rent a park shelter nearby for weekends, or arrange regular playdates with friends in their backyards.
How to Survive and Maybe Even Stay Sane
We survived despite the chaos, stress, and dust that was in our nostrils almost constantly. You can do it too, if you are prepared. These are some tips that I wish someone had given me before starting:
1. Invest in Noise Machines
They were a lifesaver for naptimes and early bedtimes. Anything to drown out loud radios and power tools.
2. Choose Your Builders Carefully
Not everyone is as lucky as we are. You need tradespeople who are not just skilled, but also professional and respectful. Don’t go for the lowest price. Read reviews, talk to friends, and ask around.
3. Get out Whenever You Can
Do not stay in the chaos. Take the kids on walks, to the library, or a café. Spend weekends at the seaside, have dinner with Grandma, etc.
4. Let Go of Perfection
You will lose stuff. Your home will look like an accident scene. Your favorite shoes might get plastered. It’s temporary. Focus on the goal: a beautiful and functional home.
Conclusion
The house looks amazing now that we’re almost finished with the renovations. What’s the truth? I’m still recovering.
Would I do it again if I had the chance? Maybe. But with much planning, a backup escape plan, noise control, and a possible nanny.
Be realistic if you are a parent who is considering renovating your home while still living there. This is not only a financial choice, but also an emotional one. Be prepared for chaos, stress, and madness. You can do it, but you must also believe that you can. One day, after the dust settles and the paint has dried, you will be living in your dream home.
If you are anything like us, the next thing to do is stop your children from destroying your home again.
