Can I live in my home during our Renovation?
A very valid and common question.
There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to the question, but there is one question that will help us derive an answer…. Confused?
“Is the site safe to live in/under?”
As with all of Rossmark’s home renovation and extension projects, the safety of our clients and our team is our Number 1 priority. Our team prides itself in maintaining a safe and tidy workplace to the best of our ability, even so, some dust, noise and congestion are inevitable, though minimal.
Let’s consider a second storey addition or upper level extension. During the initial phase, the Rossmark team removes the roof frame and covering and then proceeds to establish the structural floor platform, which involves lifting and installing heavy structural components.
Now, how do we get up there? External access to the upper level is created via our walkway ramp which connects to the scaffolding surrounding your home. You may ask “Since Rossmark will not be stepping through my house anyway, it should be fine, surely?”
Whilst it seems that the impact and risk are beyond your walls, and above you, keep in mind that it is only your ceiling lining separating your family and the work we do above.
Each case is different and unique and we assess accordingly. First and foremost, we manage this risk by ensuring our clients are not directly below our work zone. In some cases, this can mean utilisation of other rooms outside the work zone and in other cases, it may mean that our clients vacate their homes during our site working hours.
The major impact and main concerns in terms of risk is heavily reduced once the structural floor platform of your second storey extension is established. A typical platform can take from 7 up to 12 working days to complete, subject to project scope (size and complexity) and … it’ll be weather dependent as well. Whilst the risk decreases, the project progresses to other phases where movement around the building site is still restrictive with scaffold heavily in use until external framework is completed and access is longer required. In addition, plant equipment, tools and bulky building material are still in place and will require caution.
At the time the ‘works zone’ of your home ground floor renovation or first floor addition moves into the living areas and/or bedrooms/kitchens/bathrooms, that is normally the point that our clients will vacate their homes for the rest of the duration of the renovation, as we cannot separate our work zone from your day-to-day living and sleeping areas.
So, in summary…
If your second storey extension or first floor addition involves the removal of a couple of walls on the ground floor level, chances are that you can live in your home throughout the renovation but you’ll will need to consider your family’s needs in terms of coping with building dust and/or allergies, etc. Additionally, you must comply and follow Rossmark safety inductions and adhere to site rules. But if the project scope involves larger alterations and additions to your home then you will need to consider arrangements for moving out for the duration of the renovation, for this will be best for your family’s safety and well-being.