Renovation timing with a newborn/pregnancy (Need tips/sanity check!)
Hi everyone,
My husband (33M) and I (29F) purchased a condo built in 2008 back in January 2025. The place is fully functional but definitely outdated and has never been renovated. We plan to stay here for about 5–7 years.
We want to do a pretty significant remodel: a full kitchen gut (keeping current appliances but changing everything else), updating one bathroom (replacing vanity, tile, floors, keeping the tub), and a full gut on the second bathroom (converting a tub into a walk-in shower). We want to do this ASAP for our own personal enjoyment, but also because local realtors and neighbors have confirmed a remodel here will significantly boost our equity when we sell in a few years.
The Dilemma & The Family Pressure: I am currently 19 weeks pregnant (due in October). Both of us come from pretty traditional Asian families, and our parents and in-laws are vehemently opposed to us renovating anytime soon. They are terrified of the health risks to the baby.
Honestly, I am having a relatively rough pregnancy with bad morning sickness, and after doing our own research on the risks of fetal exposure to construction dust and heavy VOCs, we decided not to do it while I'm pregnant.
Our Current Plan (The "6-Month Window"): Instead, we are planning to pull the trigger when the baby is about 6 months old (around next April). A major piece of context for us is that we have the permanent luxury and flexibility to move away for a period of time whenever we need to. Because we have this open-ended option, our safety plan looks like this:
- As soon as demo starts, the baby and I will move out completely. We will either stay with family or take an extended trip to Asia for 1 to 2 months while the heavy construction happens.
- My husband will manage the contractors. To be completely safe from the dust and initial chemical smells, he will also move out and stay with family or join us for a few weeks during the worst of it.
- Because our alternative housing option is so flexible, if the contractor faces delays, we don't have to rush back. We can easily extend our time away for as long as it takes. We plan to return only after construction is 100% done, a professional post-construction deep clean is finished, and the new materials have had a few weeks to air out with heavy-duty air purifiers running.
We know moving out for two months with a half-year-old sounds like a lot of friction, but our absolute biggest concern is the health and safety of our newborn. We want to eliminate any risk of them breathing in dust or curing chemicals.
My questions for the Reddit community:
- For those who have renovated with a 6-month-old, how was the logistics/mental load? Is 6 months the "sweet spot" since they aren't fully crawling/walking yet?
- What specific boundaries or questions should we ask contractors regarding pregnancy/baby-safe materials (like NAF wood, Zero-VOC paint, Greenguard certifications)?
- If the apartment sits empty and ventilating for 2-3 weeks post-construction with HEPA/Carbon filters, is that legally/scientifically enough time to clear out the "new house" outgassing for an infant?
- Any tips on how to handle the execution smoothly so we don't lose our minds?
Thanks in advance!