How to Plan a Care Home Refurbishment in an Occupied Building

Start with the operation

Before dates are agreed, establish how residents, staff, visitors, deliveries and emergency routes use the building. Identify sensitive areas, busy periods and any residents who may be particularly affected by noise or changes to familiar surroundings.

Divide the work into controlled phases

A phased programme keeps work areas separate from occupied areas and gives the care team a clear plan for temporary moves. Each phase should have defined access, protection, cleaning and handover arrangements before the next area begins.

Control noise, dust and access

Temporary screening, suitable extraction, protected routes and planned noisy periods help reduce disruption. Tools and materials must be secured, and work areas should never create an uncontrolled route for residents or visitors.

Keep one clear line of communication

The contractor and care home should each nominate a responsible contact. Short daily updates help the home understand what is happening, what will change next and whether any resident or operational issue requires the programme to be adjusted.

Complete and hand over each area properly

Every phase should be inspected, cleaned, tested where required and agreed before residents or staff return. A clear snagging process is safer and less disruptive than repeatedly returning to supposedly completed rooms.

Connect the guidance with a real project

Our care home fit out programme shows work across several operational homes, including room finishes, serveries and fitted furniture. A repeat programme still needs a separate access and handover plan for each home.

These examples reflect Michael Wilson and the team's experience, including work completed before Wilo Commercial Projects Ltd was established.

Key points

Yes, a care home can often remain operational during refurbishment, provided the work is carefully phased and access, dust, noise, safeguarding and communication are controlled around residents and staff.