Can a one-bathroom household survive a bathroom renovation without moving out?

We are planning to renovate the only bathroom in our small house. On paper, the job is twelve working days. In my imagination, it is twelve days of brushing my teeth over the kitchen sink while every person we know suddenly stops answering texts.

The bathroom needs more than new tile. The tub is coming out, some damaged wall material will be replaced, and the room will not be usable for part of the work. The contractor says the toilet can often be reconnected at the end of the day, but he will not promise that for every day. I appreciate the honesty. My partner hears flexibility. I hear “buy a gym membership and memorize the gas-station map.”

We have three options. We can stay home and arrange showers with nearby friends, using a portable toilet service only if needed. We can book a hotel for the most disruptive stretch, although we do not know exactly which nights those will be. Or we can stay with my sister twenty minutes away, bringing our dog and enough belongings to make a two-week visit feel like a small invasion.

Money matters, but not as much as I expected. A hotel is expensive, yet eating takeout and improvising sanitation at home also costs money. Staying with family is cheapest in dollars and potentially most expensive in goodwill. My partner works remotely, so construction noise and access will affect his workday. I commute and will be the person hunting for a shower at 6:30 a.m.

I proposed a hybrid: reserve a refundable room for the demolition and plumbing-heavy days, confirm the daily plan each afternoon, and stay home when a working toilet and sink are genuinely available. We would pack one portable bag rather than relocating the whole household.

My partner thinks switching locations will be more exhausting than simply committing to one plan. He may be right. I think a rigid plan built around an optimistic schedule is asking to be disappointed.

What would you clarify with the contractor before deciding? For anyone who stayed through a one-bath renovation, which inconvenience did you underestimate: sanitation, dust, noise, pets, work calls or the constant need to ask whether the room was usable?