Moving in before complete...good idea or bad?

[Beavers]

Looking for advice from those of you who have moved in before you were 100% done with the house.



I would want at least the bedroom and bathroom done, and would hold off moving in other stuff until the room it went in was done.  I guess my biggest concern would be not actually finishing everything.  "I'd put the baseboard in, but the couch and all the other stuff is in the way...oh well I'll get it done someday" ...ect.

I don't really have any huge need to move in early, other than to quit paying rent.  Don't need a certificate of occupancy, so can move in any time.

Just curious to hear from people who have moved in early, and how well it worked out.   

Thanks,
Beavers

[MikeT]

I think this really is a matter of personal preference.  If you can handle moving furniture and stuff around and dealing with the fact that there is more dust, etc during this phase, then go for it.  But if you are the kind of person who hates to "do things twice" (ie. my wife), the you might consider holding off until it is "done."  I know I have to move in before it is done---because I rarely ever get to the finished stage.  Our main house still has only a primed ceiling in our bedroom, for instance (and we have lived there since  1997).

mt

[RainDog]

I lived in an earthquake damaged house, required a pretty much bottom up renovation, but I lived with minimal furnishings and personal items during that period.

Had I had a lot of stuff in there... that would have been a major hassle. Not only the constant covering and moving things around, but as you mention, the "I can live with it for now" factor would have kicked in.

I'd suggest putting the move off for as long as is reasonably possible if you can.

[MountainDon]

My preference was to finish the build down to the last finishing nail in the trim or whatever BEFORE moving anything into our cabin. I lost that battle. However, I must concede that doing so allowed us to actually be warm and comfy in the cabin rather than cold/cool in the RV thru the first fall and winter. I guess it would have been better to have started the cabin in May rather than July.

I'm still not done with the bathroom but that's another story... got sidelined by a few things last summer. Maybe come spring or early summer it'll be done?   

[MikeT]

Depends on your definition of "done."   

[SardonicSmile]

I'm moving in before ANY bedrooms are done. I'll live in one room, and work on the other. Then I'll move into the finished room and work on the previous room I was in. Only thing I need is a toilet, shower, sink. I'll have one of those portable tabletop stoves and things of that nature until i'm done.

[considerations]

"Only thing I need is a toilet, shower, sink" 

I moved in with less.  No plumbing for water or propane, so of course no drywall.  The electrical outlets function, but the switch circuits are not complete.

So, I go across the yard to the 5th wheel for showers, haul water (barring showers, one doesn't need that much).  The sanitary set up is still a portajohn and a chamber pot.

I don't recommend moving in this early, but I was sick to death of the 5th wheel.  I've tried to keep the accumulation of stuff at a minimum.  I know I'm facing moving things around as new building stages progress. 

Although I don't see the need to not move in until the last finishing touch is complete, I am confident in saying that moving in at the stage I did is pretty premature, but could be justified if based on uttermost need, like having nowhere else to be, or not being able to pay for construction progress because of the cost of maintaining a separate place to live.

Guess one needs to strike a balance based on multiple factors that are affecting one's life.

[Beavers]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I think I will still try to put off the move in as long as possible, I'm still convinced that the more I have done the more likely I will be to actually finish everything. 

It's good to hear though that there has been success with living and building in the same area.

[Jens]

If its just you, I'd say go ahead.  If there are more people involved, I would not suggest it unless there were no other choice.  Having lived in two houses while we were remodeling them, I say that it is about one of the worst things a family could go through.  Remember though, that we also have 4 kids, 4 cats, and 4 dogs.

[Beavers]

Thanks for the words of warning Jens.

Currently it's just me and the wife.
Come September though we will be adding a baby to the mix...I'm just a little excited! 

I guess it really gives me some motivation to get the house done!

The house we renting is pretty cheap, so I'm not in a huge hurry to get out.  Just getting the itch to get moved into the new place I guess.

[Freeholdfarm]

I wouldn't move into the new house until it was COMPLETELY done unless you are very good at sticking to a project until it's finished, no matter what the obstacles.  Been there, done that (with a hubby who WASN'T good at sticking to a project!).  Never again.  But what you could do is camp on the property, if it's allowed where you are, until you get done.  It will be easier to work in spare minutes if you are right there, and you wouldn't be paying rent so would have a little extra money to work with, too.  Would your wife be up for that, do you think?

Congratulations on the new little one coming!

Kathleen

[Beavers]

Thanks Kathleen

I'm usually pretty good with sticking with a project until it's done, I do get antsy occasionally and jump around though. 

The house we are renting is only a block away so I don't have any excuse not to be over working on the house every day.