How much should I budget for temporary housing during a major addition in Ottawa?

If a major addition will leave your home without a kitchen, a working bathroom, heat or a weather-tight roof for a while, temporary housing becomes a real budget line. As broad perspective only, temporary accommodation during a large addition can range from roughly $5,000 to $20,000, depending on how long you are out and what kind of housing you choose. Treat that as perspective, not a quote. It is a cost that is often left out of early budgets, and it grows quickly if the schedule slips.

How long you may need depends on scope:

• A kitchen extension that takes the existing kitchen out of service may mean weeks without cooking facilities.
• A second-storey addition that removes the roof can leave the house exposed until the new structure is closed in.
• A whole-house renovation combined with an addition may make the home uninhabitable for months.

Ask each contractor for a written schedule that shows exactly which phases make the house unlivable, and for how long. Winter weather can stretch exterior phases, so ask how the schedule changes if work runs into the cold months.

Your housing options:

• Furnished short-term rentals suit stays of a month or two and avoid moving furniture, but often require a minimum term.
• Extended-stay hotels are flexible but add up quickly for a family.
• A standard lease can be more economical for longer stays, but you then face moving costs, storage or furniture rental, and a fixed lease term.
• Staying with family is the lowest-cost option where it works.

Staying in the house is sometimes possible when the addition doesn't touch the main living areas. But living in an active site means dust, noise, possible interruptions to heat and water, and safety hazards. It is generally a poor fit during heavy structural work, especially with young children or elderly family members at home.

Phased construction is a middle ground: the contractor sequences work so part of the house, such as one bathroom and a sleeping area, stays usable. It can cost more in construction because crews work less efficiently, but it may reduce or remove housing costs. Ask contractors to price a phased option.

On insurance, check with your insurer whether any part of your policy applies during a voluntary renovation, and whether you need to tell them about the project at all. Many policies treat construction differently, so confirm in writing. You can browse addition contractors in the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com and compare schedules and itemized quotes.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Prism Services
• Demontigny Carpentry
• Vanguard Environmental

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