January 20

The Ultimate Guide To Home Remodeling With Kids

Remodeling your home to accommodate your growing family is often a far more practical solution than moving. You can leverage the equity in your home, make design changes to suit your needs, and stay in the area you love. If you’re considering remodeling but aren’t sure how to approach your project with kids in the house, here is our ultimate guide to home remodeling with kids.

Include Kid-Friendly Elements

A mudroom with wooden cabinets, hooks holding two jackets, and a bench with shoe storage underneath. A cat is lying on the middle shelf. The background shows a kitchen area.

Depending on the age of your kids, it helps to involve them in the planning process with input on things like color and storage for their items. You can often gather useful insights while getting them excited about what can feel like a scary process.

Some thoughts on kid-friendly designs include:

  • Improved flow and storage in your entryway
  • Considering an alternate family entry, such as a mudroom off the side of the home or from the garage
  • A more functional laundry room to accommodate endless sorting, folding, etc.
  • Kid-friendly bathrooms with things like pull-out stools under the vanity
  • Open-concept designs and larger windows overlooking the backyard to make it easier to watch the kids
  • More bedrooms to allow for private spaces as the kids get older 
  • Refinished basement 
  • An addition

This will create a home that improves functionality with space for your family to grow into. Once the project is underway, involve the kids in the design process by asking for their input on paint colors or having them help pick out their own bedroom furniture.

What To Ask A Contractor When Home Remodeling With Kids

When hiring a contractor be sure to research companies with experience in creating kid-friendly spaces. In hand with the tips on finding a contractor we list here, you should also ask the following questions:

Do you do background checks on your subcontractors and workers?

During the construction process workers can learn your habits, access private areas, and even become familiar faces to your kids. This can put your family at risk if workers aren’t carefully vetted.

Can I see your license, certifications, and insurance?

You want proof the contractor is licensed and insured to ensure a) the work is done properly and b) the contractor’s liability insurance will cover accidental damage and injuries.

Do you handle all permits? 

As a parent, you have a busy life and don’t have time to stand in line waiting for permits. A contractor like ReCraft who is part of the FIR (Field Issuance Remodel) program has a dedicated inspector for all of their jobs, making it easy to get all the paperwork completed.

What safety precautions do you take to protect my kids?

Your renovation team needs to help minimize risks during the remodeling process. Your contractor should be able to list what they do to keep your kids safe. If they can’t, they’re not the right choice for your project.

What To Consider When Scheduling The Project

If your children are in school, you might be tempted to schedule the project in the summer, to avoid disrupting their school regime. However, it makes far more sense to do it during the school year when they aren’t home during the day. For preschoolers, the summer is best as you can get out of the house more often while the weather is good.

If you’re expecting a baby soon or have a newborn, it’s best to wait until the baby is older. Babies should not be exposed to the mess, noise, and smells of the construction process, so if renovations are necessary, plan to move out until the work is complete.

Create Safe And Hazardous Zones

A person in a red beanie and earmuffs expertly guides a miter saw in the workshop, mastering the art of home remodeling.

You want the kids to feel safe once construction is underway. Create a safety zone during construction where the family can relax, do homework, watch TV, play, etc., with as little disruption as possible. You should also ask your contractor to section off a “hazardous” area where they store their tools, sharp objects, and dangerous materials. Using safety gates to block off the construction zone so kids can’t get in and storing dangerous items and materials in a locked cabinet will provide peace of mind.

Try To Maintain Routines

A curly-haired child sleeps peacefully in bed, cuddling a stuffed rabbit. The vibrant striped bedding creates a cheerful kids' sanctuary, with a globe night light gently glowing on the bedside table, expertly guiding dreams to far-off adventures.

Kids are creatures of habit and feel better when their routines are maintained. Getting up at the same time every day, following the same process to get ready in the morning, trying to eat meals at the same time, following the same routine when getting ready for bed, etc., helps maintain that sense of normalcy to balance the chaos in the home. Also, avoid getting so caught up in design decisions or trying to do things yourself, like painting, that you forget to spend quality time with the kids during your remodel. You need them to feel loved and secure when things around them are so unfamiliar.

Get Out Of The House

Ultimate guide to home remodeling with kids - get out of the house... Two kids hang upside down from metal rings on a playground, smiling brightly, with a colorful play structure in the background.

Make sure you take time away from the house during construction. This will give everyone a break from the mess and allow you to spend quality time together. If this is something you tend to do often anyway, it also helps maintain that sense of normalcy.

Create A Room-By-Room Remodel Schedule

A cozy nursery with a crib, armchair, and plush chair. A rug covers part of the floor. There are two windows with curtains on the left wall.

This is not always possible, but it tends to work best with kids. You can reduce stress by working room-by-room so you can live in the home with minimal disruption to your lives. If you go through a remodel with only one or two rooms to live in, it makes it far harder on you and the kids. Instead, prioritize essential rooms such as the kitchen or main bathroom to make life easier as each room is complete. This also allows your kids to see the results that come out of all the mess and noise, so they feel less stressed and can look forward to what comes next.

Choose Kid-Friendly Finishes

Ask your contractor/designer about kid-friendly finishes like smudge-free kitchen cabinets, harder-wearing quartz for bathroom and kitchen counters, wipeable paints, slip-free bathroom tiles, low-maintenance floors, etc., to make family life easier for you once the work is done.

Design For The Future

Although it might be tempting to request things like lower bathroom and kitchen counters for your little ones, or built-in bunkbeds, remember your kids will outgrow these customized features quickly. Instead, think of upgrades that add value and introduce furnishings that accommodate the needs of small children.

Although a remodel with kids is a challenge, with an experienced contractor, proper planning and the right timing, you’ll survive the process and have a beautiful, family-friendly home to grow into. Considering a remodel for your family home? Call us today at 503-939-9782 or click here to submit your remodeling project details.


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common portland home remodeling questions, home remodeling in portland oregon, home remodeling with kids


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