By the MJC design team, Orlando. Updated November 2026.
Short answer: Yes, you can live at home during a kitchen remodel if you plan for the days without a working kitchen. Set up a temporary kitchen in another room, close off the work area against dust, know when the water will be off, and keep kids and pets away from the work zone on noisy days.
Which parts of a remodel affect daily life?
Not every phase disrupts the house. With custom cabinets built in a shop, your kitchen keeps working during design and production. The disruption starts the day the old cabinets come out and ends when the countertop, sink and appliances are connected again.
| Phase | Your kitchen | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Design and production | In normal use | Decisions, packing plan, temporary kitchen spot |
| Demolition and cabinet installation | No sink, noise and dust | Temporary kitchen, closed doors, pets away |
| Countertop templating and installation | Cabinets in, no countertop yet | Keep the temporary kitchen running |
| Plumbing, appliances, backsplash and paint | Coming back in steps | Move back once the sink works |
How do you set up a temporary kitchen?
Pick a room close to a sink you can use, such as the laundry room or a bathroom, and set it up before demolition day.
- Refrigerator. Move it to another room or the garage if it fits. A Florida garage gets hot, so a refrigerator there works harder. Check that it holds a cold temperature before you load it.
- Small appliances. Microwave, toaster oven, slow cooker, electric kettle and coffee maker cover most meals.
- Power. Spread cooking appliances across different circuits, because a microwave and a toaster oven on the same circuit can trip the breaker.
- One box of everyday items. A few plates, cups, utensils, a cutting board, one pan, dish soap and a dish bin.
- Easy meals. Cook and freeze a few dinners ahead, and use the grill on the lanai.
- Labeled boxes. Pack the rest of the kitchen by category so unpacking goes fast.
How do you keep dust out of the house?
Cabinet removal and installation create fine dust that travels. Close off the kitchen with plastic sheeting and a zipper door, and protect the floor along the path from the entry to the kitchen.
In many Florida homes the air conditioner runs most of the year, and its return can pull dust from the kitchen into other rooms. Ask whether a nearby return should be covered on dusty days, and change the air filter once demolition and installation are done.
What about water and the sink?
The kitchen sink is out of service from the day the old sink base comes out until the new countertop is in and the plumbing is reconnected. Usually the kitchen lines are capped and the rest of the house keeps water, but ask when any whole-house shutoff will happen so it does not land on a morning when everyone needs to shower.
How do you plan around kids, pets and school?
- Kids. Make the work zone off limits and move homework and snack spots to another room. Tools, screws and open boxes stay in the kitchen.
- School. Schedule the loudest days, demolition and installation, for school days instead of school breaks, when the house is full.
- Pets. Doors open often on work days. Keep dogs and cats in a closed room, a crate or daycare, and tell the crew which doors to keep shut.
- Remote work. Set up the home office as far from the kitchen as possible and plan calls around the noisy days.
What should you do the week before demolition?
- Empty every cabinet and drawer, including the one under the sink.
- Set up and test the temporary kitchen.
- Stock easy meals and drinks.
- Decide where pets will stay on work days.
- Clear a path and parking space for the crew and deliveries.
- Confirm the dates of demolition, installation and any water shutoff.
How MJC handles this
MJC builds cabinets to measure in its own shop in Orlando, so the production work happens there and your kitchen stays in use until installation. Planning and scheduling are part of MJC project management, so ask for the key dates early and plan the temporary kitchen, school days and work calls around them.
Project management covers planning, scheduling and coordination with everyone involved, and MJC remodels kitchens with its own team and trusted partners, with one point of contact. See what a kitchen remodel in Orlando includes, read how long custom cabinets take and see when to remodel a kitchen in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
How long will I be without a kitchen during a remodel?
It depends on the scope. Replacing cabinets and countertops in the same layout keeps you out for a shorter stretch than a remodel that moves walls or plumbing. Your written schedule should show the day the old cabinets come out and the day the sink works again.
Should we move out during a kitchen remodel?
Moving out makes sense when someone in the house has a respiratory condition, when there is a newborn, or when the remodel also takes over the only bathroom or several rooms. For a cabinet and countertop project, a good temporary kitchen is usually enough.
Can I use my dishwasher during the remodel?
Usually not. In a cabinet replacement, the dishwasher is disconnected with the old cabinets and goes back in after the countertop is installed. Plan on washing dishes in a laundry or bathroom sink, or use disposable plates for the busiest days.
Is it safe to keep my dog or cat at home?
Yes, with a plan. Keep pets in a closed room or crate away from the noise, check the floor for screws before letting them back in, and tell the crew about your pets on the first day.
Plan your project with MJC
Get a free 3D design and see door, finish and granite samples at your home. Cabinets are built to measure in our Orlando shop at 5014 Forsyth Commerce Rd. Complete custom kitchens start at $15,000.