Kitchen Renovation Before or After Baby Comes?

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about doing a kitchen renovation (I am 28 weeks) but are not sure if it makes sense to do it before or after our 2nd is born. We have a tiny kitchen that is almost impossible to have two people be in at the same time. The renovation would involve breaking the wall between the kitchen and dining room and creating one big kitchen/eat-in kitchen. We're told the job would take 2-3 weeks. We're worried that this is too much to take on before having our 2nd but I'm also worried about dust/debris and a possible effect on the 2nd. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'd say before or wait until well after the baby is born.

[Anonymous]

We just re-did our kitchen (I'm due in May) and am very glad we got it done before #2.

My husband and FIL did it so it was a little easier to track the progress, ask questions (like "are you going to be using the nail gun now or not until later?"), and even help out when DD was napping.

There was a ton of dust/debris - even through the vents so I had to cover them up. We left the house (playground, errands, grandma's house, library, etc.) during the really loud parts (installing the hardwood floor).

It was also a little bit tricky keeping DD out of the way because she was so curious (and she loved going in/out through the plastic dividers) so I can't imagine trying to soothe/nurse a newborn and chase after DD.

Plus, nap time was a little tricky because of the noise, people talking, moving things in/out, etc. Like I said, we were fortunate that it was my DH and FIL so it was easy for me to sorta gauge when the next noisy part would be.

[Anonymous]

We did a big kitchen reno shortly before our first and a bathroom reno before our second. I cannot imagine going through the noise/dust/etc. with a new baby. I would definitely just get it done now -- you'll be so much more relaxed that you did!

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely do it before, because I can't imagine going through the chaos of home renovation with a new baby. HOWEVER - if your house is older, you need to think about the risk of stirring up lead dust. We redid a bathroom while I was pregnant and I learned after the fact that construction on kitchens and bathrooms is more likely to expose lead dust than anywhere else in the house. I got my lead levels tested and all was thankfully fine, but it gave me a good scare at the time.

[Anonymous]

Definitely before!

[Anonymous]

Absolutely before! I would want the counter, sink, and dishwasher available for cleaning pump accessories and bottles.

We did a smaller scale kitchen renovation when I was pregnant with my first, and I couldn't imagine not having the sink and dishwasher available with a newborn.

[Anonymous]

Definitely before, as most have said. We moved into our house 5 months before first was due. We gutted the entire second floor to create a nursery and renovate the bathroom. At the same time we gutted the entire kitchen. I was 2 weeks overdue and the refrigerator got installed 2 days before I delivered. Phew! But it was great to come home to a fresh clean renovated home.

There is so much dust involved with a kitchen renovation that you won't want to expose newborn to.

[Anonymous]

Before, before!!

[Anonymous]

I did a full and extremely extensive remodel that had me without a kitchen for 6 weeks when my son was just over a year old. It was not too bad, but we're really flexible people.

We also did a massive basement remodel when I was pregnant that carried on for a few months. That one was REALLY annoying because there was a TON of drywall dust that got everywhere.

I suggest if you can, doing it before, just so you can focus on the new baby and not construction debris.

[Anonymous]

Before if the renovation process will not release any toxins - our house still has leaded paint, so I would avoid renovations that would involve messing with the paint while pregnant. If nothing like that, then definitely before, or much after. Initial 6-12 months you'll be knocked out and will definitely need your kitchen.

[Anonymous]

Before! For the love of god, before!

[Anonymous]

We just finished (well practically) a kitchen renovation (and I'm now 22 weeks pg). Definately do it before having baby.

We didn't expand our kitchen - just completely gutted it. There was a lot of dust but not as bad as I thought. We were given a 2-3 week completion time and it took a little more than 3 weeks. (Although its still not 100% done but it is a funcational kitchen - just some final cosmetic work to be done.) So my advice is to count on 4 weeks for the project to be done - just to be safe and prepare yourself. Not having a sink was the worst part. And, I suggest you take the time and effort to make a nice temporary kitchen space, if you can. Set up a table for eating, shelves for food and paper plates, convenient place for microwave.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how big the renovation is. We started a major kitchen expansion/renovation 2 weeks before I became pregnant. Due to mutiple problems with contractor (ended up firing him and hiring someone else) the project wasn't finished until after our daughter was born. With no kitchen to cook in (we did have a sink, microwave and hot plate in the basement), I didn't eat as healthfully as I would have wanted to during the majority of my pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Do it now.
Taking out the wall sounds great!
Good luck.