Preparing for a successful major remodel goes well beyond the blueprints. To keep your home, routines, family, and sanity running smoothly, you need a checklist that covers what you may not have even thought about.
This guide covers the essential logistics homeowners need to prepare for a major remodel, including living arrangements, storage solutions, strategic packing, temporary kitchens, protecting the home, managing daily routines, and emotionally preparing for the disruption.
Here are the steps you should take before remodeling construction is underway:
Step 1: Decide if You'll Stay or Go
One of the most important logistical decisions you’ll make is where and how your household will live during construction. This choice affects everything that follows: storage, packing, daily routines, safety, and overall stress level.
Below are the three most common options homeowners consider, along with the factors that typically influence the right decision.
Many homeowners choose to remain in their home throughout the remodel, especially if the project is phased or limited to certain areas.
Partial remodels (one kitchen, one bathroom, or a defined area)
Smaller households with flexible routines
Homeowners are comfortable with noise, dust, and daily disruption
Construction zones will be off-limits during work hours
Noise, dust, and foot traffic are part of daily life
You’ll likely need temporary solutions for kitchens or bathrooms
Pets and work-from-home schedules require extra planning
Some families choose a hybrid approach: staying in the home part of the time and relocating during the most disruptive phases.
Primary suite or kitchen remodels
Families with children or pets
Homeowners who want breaks from peak construction periods
You may still need storage and packing solutions
Coordinating move-in/move-out timing matters
Short-term rentals, family stays, or hotel options may be needed intermittently
Budgeting for temporary housing and duplicate living expenses is often overlooked
For major renovations or whole-home remodels, temporarily moving out is often the least stressful option overall.
Whole-home remodels or structural changes
Homes with multiple pets or small children
Homeowners working full-time from home
Projects with long timelines or significant demolition
You’ll need off-site storage for most belongings
Utilities may be shut off intermittently during construction
Daily construction progress can move faster without occupants
Once you know how you’ll live during construction, the next critical step is deciding where your belongings will go. Major remodels require clearing large portions of the home, and having a smart storage plan prevents damage, delays, and daily frustration.
Most homeowners choose between onsite storage pods and offsite storage units—and sometimes a combination of both.
Portable storage containers placed on your driveway or property offer convenient access throughout the remodel.
Homeowners staying in the house
Phased remodels where access to items is needed
Short- to mid-length projects
Easy access to belongings during construction
No repeated trips to a storage facility
Faster packing and unpacking
HOA rules or city restrictions may apply
Driveway space and access need to be planned
Offsite storage facilities provide secure, climate-controlled space away from the construction zone.
Full temporary move-outs
Long-term or whole-home remodels
Storing furniture, art, or climate-sensitive items
Climate control for valuables and furniture
Keeps the jobsite clear and efficient
Ideal for extended timelines
Limited access once items are stored
Requires transportation planning
Labeling and inventory become especially important
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make before a major remodel is rushing through packing. Strategic packing makes daily life easier, protects your belongings, and saves time when it’s finally time to move back in.
The goal isn’t to pack everything. It’s to pack intentionally.
Approaching packing one room at a time helps prevent chaos and keeps essentials accessible.
Begin with the rooms least used day-to-day
Finish with spaces you rely on most
Keep packed rooms fully cleared once completed
Not everything should be packed the same way or stored in the same place.
Artwork and mirrors
Electronics
Family heirlooms or keepsakes
Important documents
Set aside items you’ll need daily, so you’re not constantly opening boxes.
Clothing and toiletries
Temporary kitchen or bathroom supplies
Work-from-home equipment
Pet and child necessities
If your remodel includes a kitchen or affects plumbing, appliances, or countertops, setting up a temporary kitchen is one of the most important steps to maintain daily routines. A well-planned temporary setup won’t replace a full kitchen, but it will keep meals, routines, and sanity intact during construction.
You don’t need to recreate your full kitchen, just cover the basics.
Daily cooking looks very different during a remodel, and that’s okay.
Lean into easy-prep or one-appliance meals
Use disposable plates and utensils when needed
Plan for takeout or meal delivery on heavy construction days
Stock shelf-stable snacks and drinks
Without a full sink or dishwasher, cleanup needs to be intentional.
Use a utility sink or bathroom sink for washing
Wash dishes once per day instead of constantly
Keep trash and recycling clearly separated
Use liners or disposable items to reduce washing
Even when construction is limited to certain areas, the effects of a major remodel can travel throughout the house. Taking time to protect adjacent spaces helps preserve finishes, reduce cleanup, and keep the rest of your home livable during construction.
Experienced remodelers put safeguards in place before demolition begins.
Floor coverings along work paths and high-traffic areas
Temporary wall barriers or zip walls to contain dust
Protection for staircases and entryways
Covered air returns or sealed vents in affected zones
Homeowners can add an extra layer of protection, especially for high-value or sentimental items.
Move artwork, mirrors, and décor off the walls near work areas
Relocate furniture away from construction zones
Store electronics, instruments, and valuables in protected spaces
Remove rugs, runners, and floor décor from walkways
Cover remaining furniture with breathable drop cloths to protect from dust
Construction brings activity, and planning for it makes daily life easier.
Establishing clearly marked walk paths for crews
Closing doors to non-construction areas when possible
Using door sweeps or draft blockers to reduce dust migration
Planning quiet times around meetings, naps, or school schedules
Air quality is often overlooked but plays a big role in comfort.
Replace HVAC filters with high-quality, dust-rated filters
Confirm which vents will remain open or temporarily sealed
Consider portable air purifiers in living areas
Major remodeling affects more than just walls and floors; it impacts the daily rhythms of everyone in the household. Planning ahead for pets, children, and work-from-home needs helps maintain safety, focus, and peace of mind throughout construction.
Pets can be stressed by noise, unfamiliar people, and open doors, so clear boundaries are essential.
Designating a quiet, closed-off room away from construction
Using baby gates or crates to limit access to work zones
Scheduling daycare, boarding, or walks during heavy construction days
Working from home during a remodel often requires flexibility.
Shifting meetings to quieter times of day
Temporarily relocating to a spare room or coworking space
Using noise-canceling headphones or white-noise machines
Planning remote days away from the house during demolition phases
Sometimes short-term changes make long-term comfort possible.
Pet daycare or dog walkers
Temporary childcare or after-school programs
Short-term office rentals or hotel days
Occasional meals out during peak construction
Clear expectations around access, parking, and daily schedules help prevent misunderstandings and keep your remodel running smoothly. These details may seem minor, but they play a big role in minimizing disruption and maintaining a respectful, efficient work environment.
Parking logistics should be discussed before construction starts.
Which driveway or street areas the crew will use
Whether HOA or city parking rules apply
Where deliveries or dumpsters will be placed
Knowing where daily entry points will be helps you protect your home and plan routines.
Designated doors for crew access
Protection for entryways and walk paths
Times when doors may be opened frequently
Security considerations if you’re away during the day
Establishing boundaries up front prevents confusion later.
Daily start and end times
Which rooms remain off-limits at all times
Areas that may temporarily change during phases
Major remodels involve more than just daily construction activity.
Material deliveries
Inspections by local officials
On-site check-ins or walkthroughs
Even with excellent planning, living through a major remodel can feel emotionally taxing at times. Understanding what’s normal and knowing that temporary discomfort doesn’t mean something is wrong helps homeowners stay grounded and confident throughout the process.
Noise, dust, and routine changes are part of construction, even on well-run projects.
Louder days during demolition or framing
Temporary mess at the end of a workday
Changes in access to certain rooms
A feeling that progress is slow at times
Not every phase of construction looks productive, even when important work is happening.
Behind-the-scenes mechanical or structural work
Inspection-related pauses
Prep stages before finishes go in
Large projects are best measured in phases rather than day-to-day changes.
Celebrate completed stages, not just final results
Keep the end goal in mind during challenging weeks
Remember that inconvenience is temporary, but results are long-term
Questions and concerns are a normal part of remodeling.
Asking for clarification when something feels unclear
Sharing concerns early rather than waiting
Keeping communication factual and solution-focused
Sometimes the best way to manage disruption is to step away from it.
Scheduling time out of the house during heavy construction days
Keeping weekend routines intact when possible
Creating one calm, construction-free space in the home
A well-prepared home leads to a smoother remodeling experience and far fewer surprises along the way. Taking the time to plan logistics before construction begins helps protect your home, your routines, and your peace of mind.
If you’re preparing for a major remodel, Elite Remodeling is here to guide you through every step. Schedule a consultation, and let’s make the process as seamless as possible.