I'd get pods and move EVERYTHING out of the house. I have had many workmen over the years with "sticky fingers", plus an unoccupied home clearly under major renovation, is an invitation to thieves. You may be able to use your garage for things that are not easily stolen (large pieces of furniture) or breakable, but be sure it has a good lock or it could all disappear. Breakables should be packed as for a long distance move and taken with you to your temporary quarters of put in a POD.

Thanks for the input. I'll have to review with my homeowner's insurance about coverage for theft. That was actually lower on my list of worries (terrified that it will rain inside my house while the roof is off) but certainly something to think about. I just wonder if the cost of a pod will be equivalent or more than our deductible. Obviously I won't leave anything irreplaceable in the house, but I wonder if it's really worth moving everything into a pod rather than utilizing the empty rooms we have to work with.

Aprilneverends, I never even thought about the workers using the garage! I guess I should clarify with the contractor before we fill that with stuff, as we were planning to use it for storage space. Definitely planning to cover stuff with plastic, and boxing everything we can.

We turned down major renos/rebuilding when the owners insisted they could reside in the house while we were working. As one homeowner explained to us how it would be fine, he interrupted himself to scold a furnace repairman who had strayed from the newspapers he had set out for him to walk on.

Garage storage could work if there is absolutely no reason for the crew to access the garage.

Worthy, I'm definitely not staying in the house! We have two small children and it's hard enough to live through a reno as adults. We want to make it as easy as possible for the guys to do their work, so will move everything necessary, just trying to figure out the best approach.

pods work well in this situation, assuming you have a place to put them. Life is easier for everyone without a lot of "stuff" in the way.

We recently completed a large remodel that touched nearly every room. Our roof wasn't touched though. Nearly everything was moved to the basement or garage except the essentials that went to our rental house. The entire house was dusty and dirty. Everything had to be cleaned. They used the garage as the main access to the house, stored supplies and used saws. We didn't plan any work in the basement but they were down there often to access the electrical panel, water shut off, and toilet. There was some damage to the basement drywall along the way. If we were to do it over we'd move everything out to a storage unit or pod. There could be a water leak, rodents, theft, accidents, or other things that could easily damage your stuff.

Either PODS/equivalent or off site storage. Period. Do NOT use the garage for storage. Reason? Where will remodeling material be stored to prevent weather damage/theft?

What you are having done is messier/dirtier than building a new house. And what happens if there is rain/snow during the roof off time. Tarps/basement will not protect furniture/etc. from the resulting moisture/water.

If you think you have an idea of how much dust/debris will be generated, make a visit after the demo, then one during sheet rock installation/mudding. And, if the work is done with furnace/AC operating, that dust will be EVERYWHERE. And at least the sheetrock work and painting needs to be done above 60° , so some closed temperature regulation is necessary in cold weather.

I know it seems to be too much work, but think about having to replace the furniture/etc. if it is damaged. Some extra care/cost now will prevent that possibility.