Keep calm and carry on with your renovation
Planning a successful home remodeling project starts with hiring experienced professionals early, so you can build a clear timeline and realistic budget together.
Before starting your renovation, set aside an extra 10% to 20% beyond your estimated budget to cover unexpected expenses without derailing your project.
Keep your renovation on track by creating detailed daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists with built-in flexibility for adjustments along the way.
Hiring a local home remodeling professional provides reliable guidance on permits, timelines, and project coordination, helping you complete renovations with less stress and better results.
Renovating a home is no small undertaking. Without the right preparation, home improvement projects can wreak havoc on your stress levels. But planning for the chaos will make it that much easier to handle. From planning a budget to issues you might not think of until they arrive—like knowing where to go to the bathroom—these home renovation tips leave no stone unturned.
Plumbers, electricians, and contractors are just a few of the must-have people that should be on your list. Even if you’re planning to DIY certain projects, odds are you don’t have the tools and technical know-how to complete the more hazardous work on your own, so take some work off your plate and hire a home remodeling pro near you who will.
Once you’ve picked your pros, get to know them—after all, you’re going to be working together for quite a while. Meet with them to establish a plan. With all their experience, no one is better to offer organizational guidance. What’s more, they’ll be able to give you an idea of what you can expect to spend, how long work will take, and when and how to get the right permits and approval so everything is done on time. Plus, you don’t have to figure out how to do a home renovation all by yourself.
Do your research before diving into a remodeling project. Reach out to as many different types of people as you can, from contractors to remodeling companies, to be as informed as possible on all the modern remodeling options available to you.
Try to pick a season for your home renovation when the weather will be temperate and relatively easy to work in—that means little to no rain or snow, moderate temperatures, and long working days. Your best bet is fall or spring, but keep in mind that these are busy seasons for contractors and the like, so book them well in advance to secure a spot on their calendar.
Before demolishing a room, you’re going to have to clear out all of your belongings. Instead of transferring several items to other areas of your house—inevitably causing clutter and confusion—look into booking a storage unit for the length of your build. That’ll ensure you’re not tripping over furniture that shouldn’t be there, or, worse, accidentally damaging precious heirlooms.
Certain permits are required whenever you work with electricity or gas lines or when you change exterior home elements like roofing and siding. Consult a pro to find out what permits you’ll need to accomplish certain tasks, as well as who to contact and when. In most cases, though, your contractor will handle this part for you as part of their service.
Setting milestones and an end date for your project will give you a finish line to strive for—and a light at the end of the tunnel when the goings get tough. Let’s say your project as a whole will take six months—make a goal to complete one, two, or three objectives each month. You’ll also want to schedule payments with your pro ahead of time so you can budget for them as needed. Finally, build in some wiggle room because odds are, some things will take longer than planned. That way, if you do end up wrapping up everything on time, you’ll actually finish earlier than foreseen.
Having a detailed home renovation checklist is the best way to ensure your deadline is met and stay on track from day to day. You’ll want to make daily, weekly, and monthly to-dos, with flexibility for last-minute changes just in case, as well as a list of the necessary tools and materials.
Additional expenses are a definite possibility with a project as wide-spanning as a home renovation, which is why you should plan to set your budget a little bit higher than the number you might have originally had in mind. Planning to spend an extra 10% to 20% on home renovation costs is a good way to ensure you always stay in the green. And remember that there are plenty of ways to remodel a house on a budget, so that setting aside a little more doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be breaking the bank.
Just because your home is in a state of upheaval doesn’t mean that you should be. Sure, it’s not as straightforward to stick to your usual self-care routine if, say, the water in the bathroom isn’t working. However, it’s important to maintain a sense of normalcy to keep your cool and complete the home renovation successfully.
When it comes to home renovations, there are obviously things you won’t be able to clean up right away. However, it’s still a good idea to downsize and declutter as much as possible at the end of each workday. This will give you a view of what work remains, and help you start the next day off on a better, more calm foot.
In many home renovations, there may come a point where you have to cut the water, electricity, gas, or all of the above. Luckily, there are a few ways to prepare for this eventuality. For starters, fill a bathtub with water if or when the water line gets cut, then use a bucket to fill and flush your toilet as needed. Similarly, stock up on pre-made food for when the gas or electricity line is off but you still need to eat. Or consider booking alternate lodgings if the power is going to be out for more than a day.
Living is hard to do in a house that’s in the middle of renovations, but you can make it easier with a little planning. Odds are not everything will be under construction at the same time, and you should plan for it to be that way. Maybe your bedroom is next up on the list, but your living room is already done—prepare to bunk down there for a little while. Bathroom renovation on deck? See if a nearby friend or family member will let you shower at their home in the meantime.
An active construction site isn’t exactly a safe place for your furry friends or little ones—so see if a babysitter or pet hotel can take them off your hands until the workday is done. When it is, set up a safe zone for them in the house, where they won’t be harmed by stray nails, loose wires, hazardous fumes, or debris from demolition.
Even if your project isn’t completely done, don’t wait to recognize the achievements you’ve already made. For instance, when the kitchen remodel is finished, use the opportunity to make a celebratory meal for you and all who worked on it.
When all is said and done, the last thing you want to do is more work, but odds are there’s quite a mess that needs to be cleaned up. If you didn’t tap into your extra emergency budget, use a little bit of it now to hire a cleaning service to do that last little bit of work so you can enjoy what you’ve already done.
If you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing1st Choice Renew is simply the best! We hired them for a complete home renovation, and they transformed our space into something truly amazing. The team attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident throughout the project. They were easy to work with, very responsive, and always...
Save A DimeCustom Paint Jobs LLC turned our outdated bathroom into a modern masterpiece.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWhen we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLCIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsI hired this company to do a local move with a standard amount of things needing moved for a single person (couch, bed, tv, dresser, kitchen table being the biggest), moving from one apartment to another with a very small commute from old to new apartment. I was quoted for this move to be...
MVM Moving & Storage - ColumbusThey work that 360 did on my kitchen cabinets is nothing short of amazing. I still cannot believe the difference from before and after. Jon and Jeff were both so incredibly professional throughout the whole process and their communications with me were constant and consistent. These guys...
360 Painting ColumbusThis was our second experience with The Waterworks and both times have been Exceptional! This time, Michael P. was our technician. He arrived on time, was super professional and respectful of our home and he even wore booties, a face mask, gloves and protected out kitchen floors with drop...
The WaterworksChaz, the owner, was very responsive and he communicated with us throughout the entire process. The overall cost was in the middle compared to the three estimates we received. The installation crew was very professional. Chaz was considerate enough to send a crew back to our home to repair...
Unique Hardwood Floor LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Small kitchen remodels cost $12,750 on average, depending on the materials, size, labor, and more. Read this to calculate your kitchen remodel costs.
Get a breakdown of home remodeling costs by project, from a minor bathroom update to a full kitchen remodel. Learn what factors affect the cost of a home remodel.
Home exterior remodel costs depend primarily on what you choose to upgrade. While a significant investment, exterior work can have a high ROI.
Winter storms and blizzards are no joke, even if you are relatively snug at home. Follow these tips to survive and thrive during brutal weather events.
Whether you want to spruce up your space with a few upgrades or totally transform your bathroom, you want to be smart about how you spend your money. We curated a list of seven affordable bathroom remodel tips to help you budget.
Ready to remodel your kitchen? Check out the advice in our kitchen remodel checklist to help you make sure you’re planning for everything.
