Extension - stay in the house or move out?

[MattyGroves]

We are planning a side return extension. The builders we have had quote all recommend moving out for the building work but I can't decide if it's a good idea or not.

We have a large reception room which would be largely unaffected by the work so could have a temporary kitchen. Main downsides would be that we couldn't work from home due to noise, we both work 4 days a week so would need to occupy the toddler outside the house or deal with noise a fair bit, obviously more cramped than normal, dust etc

I am nervous of leaving the house entirely as worry the builders will make more of a mess than needed, not turn up or work as hard etc. It's also expensive to rent elsewhere and my older one is at school so we wouldn't be able to go very far.

What would you do?

Is it sensible to do a bit of both? Stay put but do a week or two away to get some space?

Move out. The noise and dust is awful. We left for 5 weeks, ended up being 8 in total. There's no way we could have lived through the upheaval and we were supposed to have untouched rooms too!

We're in a similar situation. We found a place nearby to rent and so have moved out, but one of us (DH) pops by the site every day to catch up on the works, answer any questions etc. It means quite a bit of back-and-forth driving but is necessary because in our experience you can't really leave builders alone all day every day and expect things to be done properly unless you have a very reliable project manager/general contractor.

Staying at the property, for me, would be a last resort. House will be full of dust, constant noise, doors opening and closing all day, and it might hinder the works from progressing efficiently if they have to work around you etc.

@Catnuzzle and @bassackwards - did you leave your stuff at the house or put in storage? We haven't lived here that long and the idea of packing up completely makes my heart sink!

Move out and take everything with you, the mess and dust will be 10000 times what you expect.
We had to bin carpets etc from our “ untouched sealed up rooms”

We stayed put when we had a 2 storey rear extension built. The builders did it all without breaking through until the end. Continued to work from home and had a crawling baby at home too. Really not that difficult...yes dust gets everywhere but I would rather deal with dust and save myself thousands.

@wineymummy

We stayed put when we had a 2 storey rear extension built. The builders did it all without breaking through until the end. Continued to work from home and had a crawling baby at home too. Really not that difficult...yes dust gets everywhere but I would rather deal with dust and save myself thousands.

Same here. Moving out never even crossed our minds, it was absolutely fine.

Move out.

Just finished an extension where we (should have) had 4 (inc bathroom) untouched rooms.

We were meant to be out for 6 weeks. After 14, we moved back in when it was still unfinished. The dust is fucking awful and the builders WILL make a mess of every room whether you are there or not. You just need to accept that, they don't give a shit. They also won't do things on the order which benefits you and your ability to live more easily, it's what's easiest for them.

Move out, and take any possessions and furniture you care about out with you.

Your point on mess is interesting - they will make more of a mess because they won't need to tidy up every evening, they can leave tools out (to a certain extent) etc. which means more of the working day can be used for...work. We went on holiday when we had out kitchen replaced and it was the best decision ever.

If you do move out then pop by regularly ask for a schedule of works, key milestones etc. Being out of the house for X weeks gives a very tangible target period for the work to be completed in.

We had a double storey extension, only front bedrooms and lounge at front unaffected. Everything else was compromised - kitchen, bathroom, and the whole rear of the house. We put quite alot of stuff in storage but stayed put. It would have cost about £2k a month (plus bills) to move out & rent, for at least 6 months, so we'd easily have been looking at £15k+ to move out. Yes, it would have been easier, yes its tough living through it, but it is do-able. You just have to be prepared for the dust.

I do think it makes a difference if you have good builders - ours were incredibly tidy, were brilliant in making sure we always had a temporary kitchen and accommodating - and it really makes a difference being on site / being on hand to make decisions there and then, see things asap that are not quite right etc.

We didn’t move out and the builders put a temporary sink in the hall and then sealed off the kitchen and though dust did come through I don’t remember it being that bad, certainly didn’t throw anything out. I had a toddler and baby at the time. Quite a large house though.

@Livingintheclouds

We didn’t move out and the builders put a temporary sink in the hall and then sealed off the kitchen and though dust did come through I don’t remember it being that bad, certainly didn’t throw anything out. I had a toddler and baby at the time. Quite a large house though.

This is a similar situation to what we have - it would be possible to put up a temporary wall and have that between us and the work. There is side access so nothing would need to come through the house otherwise. The builders could leave tools out on site etc without affecting us

I would move out if possible so you dont have to put up with whinging neighbours.

Whinging neighbours?
So you move out, but they have to put up with the full force of the noise and disruption.
I would never speak to you again.
( Might be biased as I am currently in the "neighbour"position and am most unhappy)

If you have side access and builders will be completely sealed off from you, it will be fine for you to stay. Get them to plumb in a temporary kitchen in your hallway and front room. The dust won’t affect you at all.