This is one of the most common questions that gets asked when someone is starting a major remodel. The answer depends on quite a number of variables including your agreement with your contractor and the areas of the home that are going to be affected. Starting at the top, your contractor will need to know your intentions before finalizing your contract. There might be safety concerns that preclude any discussion at all of your continued presence during the work. In most cases, your presence will increase your cost due to the additional work involved.
Consider the Type of Renovation and the Costs that Can Accrue
Here are a couple of examples: if you have 2 bathrooms and are remodeling both of them, there are significant cost savings when they are done at the same time rather than one after the other. If you do one after the other, you are essentially doing two projects rather than one. The demolition will have to be done twice, the plumber, electrician, cabinet contractor etc. will have to make additional visits to the job-site and the supervisory people will have a longer timeline on the job. Your kitchen is another good example of major inconvenience to both you and your contractor. If you try to continue in your home while your kitchen is being remodeled you will need a temporary area set up to deal with your meals and that usually ends up in the garage or laundry area. Unfortunately the garage is where you need room to store the furniture and fixtures that have been displaced from the areas of the home that are being remodeled as well as some of the material and fixtures for the remodel and the laundry room is still needed for its primary purpose.
Several other elements need to be considered as part of your decision including the type of work being undertaken. When walls or ceilings are changed or tile is being removed, dust and debris can make it very difficult to remain in your home while the work is completed.
As you can see, this is not a quick decision and should be discussed with your contractor during the design and estimation phase of your project. It might be possible for you to remain for part of the job or to return before it is 100% complete. Your contractor will be your best source of information to finalize your decision in your own best interest.