Renovation and living in a caravan

[Berries2]

Anyone done a huge renovation project? We are just about to move our 3 kids into a (large) static caravan while we completely refurb a house that's been empty for years.
Been totally cool with it up until now.. we move next week.. and I'm having a serious wobble! Any tips/ advice would be much appreciated!
There's so much to do it feels overwhelming tonight (wine helping)
My DH works in construction (loosely) but it's our first major project.
I'm such a control freak I'm really struggling with all the uncertainty

Eeek good luck! Not done anything on quite that scale but am currently living in a building site, my top tip is to book in with friends/family for food, warmth and a decent shower.

Yes. Thankfully I have some great friends who have already offered help. Found out today we won't have electricity for our first 4 days on site so moving in with some friends until we get it sorted. I'm sure it will be the first of many hiccups to come!

Nothing like that, but lived in the house whilst we had a large extension. All lived in one bedroom (3 kids too) and had one room downstairs. I would just say try to break it up with weekends away / stay with friends / go on holiday. I think its an adventure to start with - how cool are we type thing, all good fun being in the same bedroom etc. But then when you're all cramped / living in chaos / can't find anything, its just tedious and everyone gets fed up and stressed living on top of each other. Plan breaks - you will need it. And keep repeating like a mantra - it will be worth it.

Good luck

We did this decades ago with children. They loved it!

Surprising warmer than expected, good gas fire, easy hot water and it takes about 30 mins to clean through.

Biggest tip is to lag all pipes indoors and out. Use pool noodles or proper lagging. It's miserable without running water.

If you have toddlers consider fencing off a small area so you can hang out washing without them climbing scaffolding.

A year is ok. 13 months was not. That was the end of my endurance. Looking back I would have done 14 months and decorated without moving in. It's so much easier.

Good luck with your venture.

Wow thanks all. DH connecting all utilities today and has tons of pipe lagging so hopefully those pipes won't freeze.
Ninja weirdly I went and bought loads of new mattress toppers yesterday. And black out curtains.
Loads to do, need to get this house packed up this weekend.. will let you know how we get on x

My top tip iis to declutter seriously and only bring things you really need to the van.

Is your remaining stuff going to be accessible or not?

We are putting the majority of our stuff into storage. Nearby so fairly accessible, not taking that much stuff with us at all. I am finding packing difficult though, what to take, what to leave

We have looked into doing it, sold the house this week but all the land or renovations are already sold ... so yeah I would who for it, I have 4 kids lol. Good luck! X

Herschellmum we sold a year ago. Have been holding out for the right project. Fortunately our buyers love our house so were willing to wait till we found something but it's slim pickings round here!
This is our dream plot. Had our eye on it over 7 years and can't believe it came on the market when we could actually buy it. x

we lived in our 13ft trailer for over 30 days until our new home was finished and we had an occupancy permit. parked in front of our home....
good times, thankfully it was September-October so temperatures were reasonable.

We did it over a winter with 2 kids. Surprisingly cosy! Easy to clean too 👍 Take much less stuff than you think you'll need. Would totally do it again.