7 Essential Tips to Survive a Home Renovation

Renovating your home? Discover 7 real-world strategies to help your family navigate the chaos with less stress and more sanity.

Home renovations can be exciting, but they can also test your patience and daily routine. Whether you’re upgrading before selling or transforming a newly purchased property, it’s important to be prepared for the mess, noise, and disruption.

We’ve supported countless clients through major renovations, and have also completed many ourselves through which we’ve learned a few valuable tips along the way. Here are our top seven ways to survive your renovation with your sanity (mostly) intact…

1. Avoid Working from Home (if you can)

As tempting as it is to stay close and keep an eye on the progress, working from a construction site is rarely productive. Between power tools, conversations, and the temptation to micromanage, it’s best to find a quiet, distraction-free workspace elsewhere. Trust your tradies — and give them room to work.

2. Declutter and Store What You Can

Even the tidiest builder can’t stop dust from spreading. Before work begins, pack away non-essential furniture, clothing, and household items. Consider hiring a temporary storage unit to keep your belongings clean, protected, and out of the way.

3. Use Drop Sheets Daily

A simple but effective habit: cover your furniture, kitchen benchtops, electronics, and other key surfaces each morning before the workday begins. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not constantly vacuuming or wiping everything down.

4. Invest in an Air Purifier

Air quality often takes a hit during renovations. A good air purifier can make a noticeable difference in keeping your home breathable, especially when you return at the end of the day.

5. Plan for Kitchen Chaos

Dust and renovations don’t mix well with meal prep. If your kitchen is out of action, don’t stress. Line up a list of local cafes, stock the freezer with ready meals, or enjoy the excuse to try out new takeaways. Think of it as a temporary lifestyle shift — and a chance to explore new food spots.

6. Keep Pets Calm and Comfortable

Pets often struggle with changes to their environment. Loud noises, unfamiliar people, and blocked-off spaces can leave them anxious or confused. Make sure they have a quiet, safe area in the house — or consider a pet sitter or a short stay with a family member while the work is underway.

7. Have a Backup Plan for Breaks

Renovation fatigue is real. Whether it’s the water being turned off or you just need a breather from the dust and noise, it helps to have a local refuge. Chat with family or friends ahead of time, having a spare shower, washing machine or chill-out zone available can be a lifesaver.

Renovating can be a rollercoaster, but with a little preparation, you’ll come through it stronger (and maybe even closer to your dream home). If you’re renovating to sell, or thinking about adding value before going to market, we’d love to chat about how to maximise your results.