Bind builder's risk + line up where the family lives

Builder's Risk insurance

A Course of Construction / Builder's Risk policy covers the structure during construction (fire, theft, vandalism, weather damage, sometimes more). Lender-required if you're financing.

Two structures:

• Owner-purchased policy. You bind the policy, you're the named insured, the GC is added as additional insured. More common, more control.
• GC-provided policy under their portfolio. Cheaper sometimes, but you have less visibility into coverage and claim handling.

Owner-purchased is usually worth the extra premium. Limits should match the project value; policy term should run from GC mobilization through substantial completion plus a buffer.

Tell your homeowner's insurer

Your existing homeowner's policy needs to know about the project. Most insurers continue coverage on the existing structure during construction with a notification; some impose a vacancy or major-construction surcharge. Don't skip this notification — an undisclosed major construction project can void coverage if you have a claim.

Move-out vs. shelter in place

For a second-story addition, the math usually favors moving out:

• Lift-and-replace foundation projects (Option B or C): no question. The house is unusable.
• Retrofit-in-place foundation + full second story: the first floor is technically usable, but the noise, dust, and contractor traffic make life with kids or pets miserable. Most families move out for the framing and MEP rough phases (3–5 months) and move back for finish work.
• Pure addition with minimal first-floor work: shelter-in-place is possible but unpleasant. Plan for 4–8 weeks of "we cooked on a hot plate in the basement" stories.

Where to find temporary housing

• Furnished month-to-month rentals. Search 60–90 days out; supply tightens as you get close. Inner-east Portland in a 2-bed runs $3,000–$5,000/month typical.
• Family or friend's ADU. Check local rules on length-of-stay if you're paying rent.
• Short-term rental for the noisy phase. Some families do 4–8 weeks at a higher per-night rate, then a furnished month-to-month for the longer stretch.

Budget $20K–$60K for a 6–12 month stretch in a furnished rental, depending on neighborhood and unit size.

Storage

Most of the house contents are coming with you to temporary housing. Some won't fit. Budget $200–$400/month for a 10x20 storage unit during the build — and remember to move out anything sensitive to humidity or temperature swings.

Before the GC mobilizes

A one-page move-out checklist:

• Builder's risk bound.
• Homeowner's insurer notified.
• Temporary housing keys in hand.
• Mail forwarded.
• Utilities at the construction address: water + electric stay on (the GC needs them); gas may be temporarily disconnected if it's part of the rough scope.
• Contents either moved or staged for moving day.