Planning a Remodeling Project? Here’s Where to Start

When you’re dreaming of remodeling your home, it’s only a dream until you start the actual work. We understand that it’s easier to imagine the plan than to take the first—potentially scary—step. However, being informed will help you stop dreaming and start doing. Learn about the key starting points to follow when you’re planning a home remodel.

Common Starting Points When Planning a Remodeling Project

There are a few different initial steps you can take to jump start a renovation project. They include:

• Budget: Figure out how much you are able to spend on the project. By setting a budget, you’ll know what you can afford, which helps with prioritization.

• Goals: Decide on the project's purpose. Setting goals from the start can help you create a remodeling project that will actually benefit you upon completion.

• Prioritize: Think about all the things you could add to the project and prioritize them. Make a list of which aspects you must have and which items are less important if you don’t have the budget or time to do them.

• Research: Read related home remodeling articles to understand the exact scope of the project you want to undertake. 

• Timeline: Decide how long you’d like the project to take. Your family may have to make some sacrifices over the duration of the project, so you might want to take on a project that has a limited timeline.

What Is the Most Important First Step to Take When Planning a Remodeling Project?

The most important step when planning a home remodeling project is to understand exactly what you want to do. By creating focused goals for the plan, you will have an easier time staying on track.

If you want to remodel a basement, focus on adding the right rooms. If you are remodeling the kitchen, figure out what appliances and features you want. 

What you want to avoid is starting a kitchen remodeling project and having it unexpectedly expand into remodeling the dining and laundry rooms, too. The first step is to focus on what you want to accomplish with this project so you can feel confident in taking a first step forward.

Who Should I Call First to Plan a Remodeling Project?

If you need some help with planning your home remodeling project, you should reach out to a local home remodeler. This professional can discuss your goals with you and put together a plan.

When you aren’t sure where to start with any aspect of the project, the home remodeler can provide advice. Some of the steps a home remodeler can help you with include:

• The remodeler can explain how to renovate a house to gain the biggest benefit while also enhancing your home’s value. 

• How much does it cost to renovate a house? A remodeling professional can help you set a realistic budget for the goals you have.

• If you need permits from local authorities for the work, the remodeler can explain this process. 

• The remodeler can estimate the time required to complete the project.

Some home remodelers can help you with every aspect of planning a remodeling project. They can draw plans based on your desires, pull permits, oversee the demolition and construction, and hire subcontractors to do certain aspects of the work. 

If you decide to hire this person, you may have to pay an upfront fee or deposit that can be quite high. How much of a deposit can a contractor ask for? A down payment ranging from 10% to 50% of the total cost of the project is possible, depending on the remodeler and the type of work you’re doing.

If you must put down a deposit, you will want to have a contract with this person that describes the work in detail. The contract should protect both you and the remodeler from any unfair tactics. You should have your personal lawyer look over the contract to be certain you are protecting yourself legally.