Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

Just wondering. I think I am going to rule out Capes that don't have either a front or rear dormer, but I don't want to rule one out of its a great deal.

Is it posssible to live in the house while one is being added, or is it way too messy?

Thanks,
Christine

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

my friend is having her cape dormered right now. they're living in it during construction.

but IMO, I wouldn't unless I had no choice.

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

on the shows on tv, people live in their basement during the dormer. it is very stressful time for all involved.

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

i think it depends though on how much dormer you put on. my neighbors lived through their dormer. but they only put a side dormer on.

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

Dormers can be big money. You might want to just spend the extra money on a house that doesn't need a dormer and not live through the construction.

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

Thanks!!

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

We're adding a small rear dormer right now (extending our bedroom, master bath and walk-in closet) and we are living through it (so far, it's only day #3).

My DH's cousin lived in her house TWICE while doing a dormer, front first while she was pregnant with baby #1, back dormer the second time while pregnant with baby #3

For us it was worth it because we got our house for a great price and plan on it being our only home until retirement.

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

We did. Stressful...yes, but what choice did we have Here's some pics.

living through construction

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

When I was young, my parents dormered the whole upstairs. We lived there the entire time. No basement either, it was a Levit ranch.
I don't remember it being that bad, but I'm sure my parents would beg to differ.

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

We are not just adding a dormer, but adding an entire floor. We are planning to stay here throughout and live in the rest of the house (my son and I will move out for the couple weeks the roof is ripped off, but once it's watertight again we will move back - DH will stay here the entire time).

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

We are waiting on our variances to go through, and we plan on living here during the construction. We have a finished basement, and plan on sleeping down there. We are doing a 1st and 2nd floor extension 12 feet, plus a full dormer upstairs and over the extension.
the first floor will consist of a half bath, Huge EIK with island, Family room, formal living room with cathedral ceiling to the 2nd floor, and formal dining room. Plus we are doing an inground pool, jacuzzi, and built in BBQ grill. on the deck.

the 2nd floor will have 3 bedrooms that will share a bath. and then a master suite with his and her closets, and full master bath with double sinks, corner jacuzzi tub and 7 foot wide stall shower!!! so 4 beds total.

When we met with the architect he said if its just the 2 of us its a lil easier to live there. I am not looking forward to it, and if it becomes unbearable im hoping we might stay in a short term rental or something near by. I am very nervous about this!!!

Re: Can you live in a house while you add a dormer?

My parents did with 2 kids--we were 10 & 12.

Before the dormer, we had bedrooms in the finished attic, so durinng the construction, our stuff was all in the basement & we slept in den.

My parents were gettign rid fo the couch anyway, so we move dout beds in there & didn't get a new couch untill after the dormer was done.

My parents room was downstairs & uneffected until the end, when a wall was knocked down to make it a dining room.