More Tips: Surviving Construction

*Living in a space directly connected to the renovation can seem unbearable. After first trying to stay in the guest bedroom, the homeowners on this project ultimately set up a living space in the basement, away from the noise and mess.

*Make plans to have a back-up place to live during construction. The homeowners had to leave for a few days to avoid chemical fumes when their floors were being finished.

*Nothing disrupts routines quite like a renovation, and that disruption can be stressful, especially for kids. If you can't afford to move out during the remodel, plan some day trips or weekends away to give the kids a chance to decompress.