Step-By-Step Home Renovation Checklist

It’s one thing to buy a new end table spur of the moment. It’s another to jump headfirst into a $15,000 home renovation project plan.

Think long and carefully about the space you want to update. If you’re changing out your carpet, ask yourself why. If you want a new coat of paint, consider taking a few photos and altering them in Photoshop to review what the new color would look like.

To find inspiration, check out online magazines, create a Pinterest board, or visit displays in stores. You want to be 100% invested in your decision before starting!

It sounds nice to have a project finished in a week. But, depending on how complex and expensive your renovation is, it could take several months. In fact, a whole house renovation takes on average 3 to 6 months to complete.

To create an estimated timeline, review similar home renovations online or ask your contractor (if you’re using one — more on that in step 2) for a timetable. The more realistic you are about your timeline, the happier you’ll be with the process.

Depending on the scale of your home renovation, you may need professional help. Of course, a lot of tasks, like painting and tiling, can be DIY jobs. However, you may still need professional help for some projects, like electrical work.

If you opt to use professionals, research and get bids from potential contractors and subcontractors to help with specific projects.

If you’re hiring a contractor or subcontractors for part of the work, make sure their construction team can access the space they’re renovating. Think about where their large machinery can enter the property and where construction tools can be stored. If you’re not sure, speak to them directly about your house renovation plans.

You should also set up a key lockbox. Contractors often need to work very early, which can conflict with your schedule. Instead of constantly getting up at the crack of dawn to let them in the home, a key lockbox will meet everyone halfway.

This is such an important step in your home renovation planning: Always get a site plan and floor plan before starting your remodeling project.

These plans provide dimensions, diagrams, and site details for your property and can help you visualize future plans to ensure they’re achievable.

You may also need a site plan for your permit application, which should be submitted as quickly as possible. The city is often slow, so apply early and get the necessary plans or contracts to help expedite the permit process.

Need help during the planning phase?Contact usfor help with site plans for your new renovation project.

If you’re taking on a full house renovation, you likely won’t be able to live in the building while the work is ongoing. So, consider renting somewhere nearby or staying with relatives. If you only need to move out for a week or so while a bathroom or kitchen is renovated, a hotel will probably work fine, too.

If you’re only doing parts of the house or are taking the project room-by-room, then you can still live in the house. However, you may want to put your non-essential belongings in storage to minimize clutter. 

In the planning phase, you’ll have already decided whether to gut your home or make any structural changes, like knocking through walls, removing old cabinetry, or adding additional doors and windows. You may even how decided to demolish it altogether. Either way, now is the time to execute.

Be warned, this is one of the messiest, dustiest, and noisiest processes. You’ll also need to dispose of the waste yourself unless you use a contractor here. 

The next step to renovating your house is installing all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

Unless this is your business, we recommend outsourcing these systems to professionals for safety and peace of mind. You’ll need remodeling plans to show the plumber and electrician where you want access to these systems. Once these systems are in place, you’ll need to have inspectors validate the work and approve its safety.

Are you thinking about renovating your home and need a site plan? Learn more about how we can help you.

Framing and drywall involve designating walls and hanging sheets of drywall to create the walls of your home. During this step, you might move or construct new walls or add supporting beams, windows, or door openings. You’ll need a plan to ensure the walls are placed where you intended. Once the drywall is secure, it will need to be sanded into a seamless surface.

Some people do this step themselves, while others outsource to get the project done faster. Both options have pros and cons.

When planning a home renovation, make sure the painting step comes before doing your flooring. This way, if the paint splatters, nothing is ruined. And there’s something very satisfying about the smell of new paint, like a new beginning or fresh start.

Either way, you’re ready to paint your renovated house. Don’t forget to sample your colors, testing them in multiple lights to see how they look, and apply primer first.

Many people opt to paint themselves. But if you prefer a more professional, flawless paint job, you’ll want to hire professionals.

You’re now ready for cabinets and fixtures. During this phase of the renovation project, you need to install:

• Cabinetry

• Bathtubs

• Lighting

• Showers

• Toilets

• Sinks

During this step of renovating a house, you really get to show your personal style, so have fun and choose wisely.

Once your fixtures are in, you’re ready to add doors and windows. We recommend using professionals for this phase to ensure everything follows codes and standards. It’s important to install doors before your flooring to ensure the doors can open freely.

You’re almost there. Next, you’ll need your dumpster again to clear out and clean any remaining debris. Renovation can spread dust everywhere, so clean your air vents, ducts, furnace, and floor. You can do this yourself, and renting a shop vac will be a lifesaver.

Finally, it’s time to install the flooring. You should save the flooring until the end to ensure it doesn’t get scraped, stained, nicked, or damaged before you have a chance to live on it. This is another one of those steps to renovate a house where you showcase your personality, tastes, and practicality.