Domers: Life during construction

I'm looking forward to a doing a full dormer in the next few years but I'm curious about living under construction during the process.

Do most people live in their house (or part of their house, like a remodeled basement) or do they rent a separate home to live?

Just curious how all this stuff works! Thanks!

Re: Domers: Life during construction

We had a dormer put on my parent's house. It lasted a total of 3 months. People told us we'd have to leave the house for weeks, but I think it was really maybe the first 5 days. The worst part is when they rip the roof off and yoiu have nothing on top. Not adviseable to stay then. I guess it also depends on the time of year. During the day we managed to be out, but we still slept in the house at night after about 5 days. It's not easy, but worth it in the end.

Re: Domers: Life during construction

We stayed in our house during construction and I would not recommend it. The first couple weeks are the toughest, but living in such chaos all the time takes it's toll. There is always mess and dust and dirt. It's definitely possible to do it but I think I would have been less stressed if we moved out for the entire project.

Re: Domers: Life during construction

I am in the middle of this right now.

I actually managed to stay while they cut the roof off. Was 60 degrees in my house for a week and a total mess. The house literally had no roof, just a tarp over it.

But it was inevitable that I had to get out, solely because I am doing a complete demo on it (basement, first floor, second floor). There is no way I could have stayed.

I found a rental in Merrick and I plan to be there for 2-3 months while they finish the majority of the work. Once sheetrock is up and I at least have one working bathroom, i'll come back.

If you have a basement to stay in that will remain untouched, you can try to stay. But it will be rough. There will be dust literally everywhere. I can do it... but many people can't.

Re: Domers: Life during construction

ours was completed 2 months ago..
we lived in our house with our twins babies.
our kitchen and bathroom downstairs were not affected by the dormer.

but we basically were living in our living room .. not fun!! but we managed..

i was staying at home while all the work was being done, it was lound and annoying especially with our dog too.. but i did what i had to..

Re: Domers: Life during construction

My parents put a dormer on their house when I was about 10 & we stayed in the house. It was done in the summer & my brother & I stayed with relatives for 2 weeks, but my parents stayed there and the was some work done downstairs ( windows changed, a wall opened)

My parents bedroom was on the 1st floor before the remodel, so they stayed there & our rooms were upstairs (cape), so we stayed in the den. We put our stuff in the unfinished basement.

Re: Domers: Life during construction

We stayed. Lived on the first floor. The hardest nights are the first few when the roof is pulled off. They boarded up some of the windows and the tarp covered the rest. So dark because you couldn't see outside at all. The tarp blows in the wind and makes a funny sound. However once the shell is up, it is no biggy to be down stairs.
PS- in was early fall so not that cold out.

Re: Domers: Life during construction

Our house was un liveable. We lived with Danielles mom for the whole time. We were out of the house for 8 months. We did A full dormer, raised the ridge, new kitchen, full gut downstairs and knocked all the walls down downstairs too. It was extremely stressful....

Re: Domers: Life during construction