One day, you’re sipping coffee in your kitchen. The next, that kitchen is a pile of drywall dust and exposed wiring. Remodeling can feel like controlled chaos, but when done right, it’s also one of the most rewarding investments you’ll make in your home. The trick is learning how to live through a renovation without losing your mind (or your coffee maker). With a little planning, a lot of patience, and the right team, you’ll not only survive your remodel, you’ll love the results.
Sardone | McLain has spent over a decade helping Dallas homeowners remodel with confidence. We know that a renovation requires balancing design, budget, and real-life logistics for families who are living through the process. Our meticulous planning ensures fewer surprises, faster build times, and minimal stress so you can focus on the excitement of creating a home you love. Here’s our best advice to prepare for your home remodel confidently.
Set Realistic Expectations
Without the right plan, remodeling can feel like inviting a tornado into your home, except you’re paying for it, and the tornado crew promises a beautiful kitchen at the end. There will be dust in places you didn’t even know existed, noise levels that make you question your life choices, and at some point, you’ll find yourself making coffee in the bathroom because the kitchen is a war zone. This is normal.
The Remodeling Phases
The best way to keep your sanity intact? Know what’s coming. Every remodel happens in these basic stages.
- Demolition – Goodbye, old cabinets. Hello, temporary chaos.
- Structural & Mechanical Work – Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC pros take over.
- Drywall & Finishes – It starts looking like a home again.
- Final Touches – The “worth it” moment.
Embrace the Chaos
The key is to embrace the chaos and set expectations accordingly. If your contractor gives you an estimated timeline, assume it’ll take a bit longer (not because they’re bad at their job, but because homes love throwing curveballs). If you have a completion date in mind for a big event (like Thanksgiving dinner), schedule it for the following year. And most importantly, give yourself grace. It’s going to get messy, but with the right planning, you’ll be so glad you took the plunge.
Communicate and Plan with Your Family
A home remodel affects everyone in your orbit. Kids, pets, spouses, in-laws who stop by unannounced. If they’re part of your daily life, they need to know what’s coming.
Talk to Your Kids
For younger kids, remodeling can be confusing (and loud). One day, their kitchen is there. The next, it’s a pile of rubble. Help them feel involved by showing them drawings or samples so they can visualize the end result, and let them “help” by picking a paint color or cabinet hardware. Teenagers? They’ll mostly just be annoyed if the WiFi goes out.
How to Create Safe Zones for Kids During Construction
- Set clear boundaries – Little ones love exploring, but power tools and construction debris aren’t great playgrounds.
- Keep routines as normal as possible – Predictability helps, even if bedtime stories happen in a different room.
- Find creative ways to get out of the house – Museums, parks, or even a weekend at grandma’s can be a lifesaver.
Discuss the Details with Your Partner
Even the strongest relationships are tested by months of dust, decision-making, and displaced furniture.
Ensure you’re on the same page about all the important details.
- Budget – No surprises. No secret splurges.
- Timeline – It’ll probably take longer than you think.
- Who’s in charge of decisions – Not every detail needs to be a group debate.
Planning a Remodel With Pets
Construction zones aren’t pet-friendly. The noise alone can be stressful, and open doors or loose nails can be dangerous.
Create a plan for pets ahead of time.
- A pet sitter or daycare for the noisiest days.
- A safe, separate space in the house.
- Extra belly rubs to make up for the chaos.
Give Frequent Visitors a Heads-Up
Grandparents? Neighbors? The friend who stops by just to “borrow sugar”? If they visit often, let them know what to expect—especially if their usual entrance is blocked by a giant dumpster.
Create a Temporary Living Plan
Remodeling means parts of your home will be off-limits for weeks (or months). You'll need a backup plan if your kitchen, bathroom, or bedrooms are under construction. Living, and dare we say thriving, through a renovation is possible, but only if you prepare.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
No stove? No problem (kind of). Plan ahead so you’re not eating takeout for months.
- Relocate small appliances – Microwave, toaster oven, air fryer? These are your new best friends.
- Stock up on easy meals – Think slow cooker recipes, meal kits, and anything that doesn’t require a full kitchen.
- Find a dishwashing solution – If your sink is out of commission, a utility sink or even the bathtub (yes, really) can work in a pinch.
Plan for Sleeping and Bathroom Access
If bedrooms or bathrooms are under construction, things get trickier.
- Figure out alternative sleeping arrangements – Can kids share a room temporarily? Is a guest room an option?
- Have a bathroom game plan – One bathroom for the whole family? Set a schedule now to avoid morning chaos.
- Consider staying elsewhere – If you’re remodeling multiple key spaces at once, a short-term rental or staying with family might be worth it.
Protect Your Belongings
Remodeling is messy. Dust creeps into every corner, splatters happen, and there’s always a risk of something getting bumped, scratched, or broken. Preparing for home remodeling means protecting your space from the outset.
Cover & Contain
- Seal off construction areas – Plastic sheeting and zippered door barriers keep dust from spreading.
- Use furniture covers – Sheets, tarps, or plastic protect against dust buildup.
- Close off vents – Otherwise, your HVAC system will helpfully spread dust to every room in the house.
Move & Store
- Relocate fragile and valuable items – If it’s sentimental, expensive, or breakable, move it far from the action.
- Create a storage strategy – Designate a clean, safe space for displaced furniture, décor, and everyday essentials.
Manage Stress and Stay Flexible
Even with the best planning, living through a renovation will test your patience. Delays happen. Unexpected issues pop up. At some point, you’ll wonder why you ever thought this was a good idea.
Expect the Unexpected
- Something will take longer than planned – Weather, supply chain issues, or that mystery plumbing problem behind the wall.
- You’ll make at least one last-minute update – Paint color, tile pattern, or which cabinet pull sparks joy.
- There will be noise, dust, and minor inconveniences – Deep breaths. It’s temporary.
Find Ways to Stay Sane
- Keep routines as normal as possible – Family dinners, game nights, whatever keeps you grounded.
- Plan mini-escapes – A weekend away, a massage, dinner at a favorite restaurant, or even a quiet coffee shop break.
- Focus on the big picture – One day soon, you’ll be sipping coffee in your brand-new kitchen, wondering why you stressed so much.
Work with the Right Remodeling Team
A home remodel is a major investment, and the team you hire makes or breaks the experience and your results. Before signing a contract, take the time to ask the hard questions. A good contractor will be transparent about their process, potential challenges, and how they handle unexpected situations.
Here’s what to ask.
What’s your experience with families staying in the home during remodeling?
Not every contractor is equipped to work around a household’s daily life. Look for someone who has experience keeping disruptions to a minimum.
How do you handle scheduling and delays?
Ask how they plan for weather delays, material shortages, or unexpected structural surprises.
What’s your communication process?
Will you get weekly updates? A daily recap? A designated point of contact? You don’t want to be left wondering what’s happening in your own home.
What steps do you take to protect my home?
Construction dust spreads fast. Find out how they contain mess, cover furniture, and keep non-construction areas livable.
How do you manage changes to the project?
Sometimes, mid-project changes are necessary. Ask about their process for handling additional costs, updated timelines, and decision-making.
Can you provide references from past clients?
The best way to know what to expect is to hear from homeowners who have been through the process. A good contractor should have a list of happy clients willing to share their experience.
Dallas Home Remodeling: Plan Smart, Stress Less, Love the Results
Sardone | McLain excels at family-friendly remodeling that minimizes disruption while delivering stunning results. If you’re ready to remodel with confidence, let’s talk. Schedule a consultation today, and let’s create a home you love together.
