Taking on a whole home remodel seems like a massive undertaking. With so many moving parts and financial considerations to balance, it can be a stressful experience, to say the least – especially if it’s your first time attempting a remodel.
But the foundation of any project of this scale is a solid plan. Mapping out your home remodel can be a great way to assure a smooth process from start to finish.
The term ‘whole house remodel’ (aka full home remodel) can actually encompass a renovation project for the entire house or multiple rooms. So if you choose to remodel your kitchen, master bedroom, and basement but leave the rest of the home as-is, this is still considered a whole house remodel.
In this phase of the process, it’s important to make decisions around what rooms you’ll be renovating as soon as possible to make the rest of your planning easy. Now is also a good time to determine if you’ll continue to live in the space through the renovation process or if you’ll need to plan for other accommodations.
Now that you’ve determined which rooms you’ll be remodeling, evaluate if you’ll need the assistance of a professional contractor. Some especially intrepid individuals may opt to flip their home without the help of a professional. While this can save you some money along the way, it requires ample time, patience, and skills to execute smoothly. Be honest with yourself if you decide to go the DIY route. Be sure you can move forward confidently with the proper skills and tools necessary for the job.
Some decide to partially or fully hand their remodel over to a professional contractor. If you fall into this category, you’ll need to thoroughly vet your options before moving forward with a company. You’ll be working with these people for the duration of your remodel project so it’s important to make sure it’s a good fit. Once you solidify your choice, you can collaborate with your contractor to plan the finer details of your project.
Your budget will determine what you can and cannot pull off when it comes to a home remodel. What you plot out on your Pinterest board and the reality of what that will cost may not be what you anticipate. As harsh as it can be, you have to crunch the numbers early on to see if what you have in mind is plausible.
There are typically three methods to finance a whole house remodel: saving up, using credit, or taking out a loan. Hopefully, if you choose to go the “save up” route you already have a nice nest egg stashed away. Credit and loans can be a little bit more flexible but be sure to move forward wisely. Even though you can technically spend more, it’s still important to set a realistic budget you can pay off easily.
If you choose to hire a contractor, they can also assist with this step. They will work with your budget and walk you through what costs you’ll need to consider.
This step is primarily for those moving forward with a large construction project. If you have to tear down walls and leave the inside of your home exposed to the elements for extended periods of time, you may be at risk of property loss due to weather, theft, or vandalism. Insurance can protect you from these possibilities.
You may be able to get coverage through your existing homeowner insurance policy. Get in touch to see what they will cover or if they offer this type of protection at all. If they don’t, you’ll need to seek out builder’s risk insurance from another source.
Those planning a smaller project can still secure insurance but it’s not typically necessary.
With your budget set, you can officially breathe life into the style and design aspect of your home renovation project. Ask yourself, what feel do you want your home to exude? Are you a fan of modern design or do you crave more of a traditional cottage style? Now’s the time to let your creativity run wild!
If you hire a contractor, they will be with you every step of the way as you select the style and elements of your home remodel. From carpeting to cabinet choices, they can help you plan every detail of the renovation.
In some cases, you’ll need to secure a permit to legally move forward with a home remodel. A few common examples of projects that require a permit are structural changes, electrical modifications, new windows, and plumbing. Most smaller-scale projects such as changing out the flooring don’t require a permit. You can get in touch with your city and state officials to confirm what you’ll need permits for.
With all the details laid out in front of you, it’s time to plot out a timeline. This will greatly reduce your stress during the remodeling process. Although you may not always hit your imagined deadline, it will give you a reference point so you can plan for possible disruptions to your everyday life during the renovation.
It can also be a tool to stay on the same page with your contractor. If you’re planning on remaining hands-off during the process, your timeline will give you a frame for when you can expect certain elements of your home remodel to fall into place.
As you encounter inevitable setbacks along the way, you and your contractor can recalibrate and create a new framework to move forward with. Continually evaluating your timeline can help you gain a better idea of when your project will be done.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully mapped out your whole house remodeling project. If you follow these steps, you’ll set yourself up for a successful renovation and hopefully move a little bit closer to your dream home. Once you have all these elements in place, you can begin the renovation process.
If you’re in the Northern Colorado area, H3 Construction & Design is happy to assist you through your whole house remodel. We specialize in creating innovative, unique design concepts to create a useful living space for you and your family. And, we can do it all upfront with 3D modeling so you can truly envision your future home!
Enjoy this complimentary whole home remodel checklist! Follow along to plot out your renovation project and keep track of your progress. Download it here:
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the next big evolution in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, allowing for effective building management and vastly improved planning of the construction process among its many benefits. This new technology is truly changing the game for collaboration and everyone in the AEC space should be in the know. […]
The dining room has always been and always will be the convening area of family, friends, and new guests. Its ability to bring a group together around the holidays for a shared meal and games or even for a casual gathering of laughter and storytelling should never be underestimated. Whether you’re looking for ways to […]
Remodeling a garage requires planning as it entails changing the entire property. Like all renovation endeavors, the price tag on your garage remodeling project depends on the project's scope. According to HomeAdvisor's True Cost Guide, the national average cost is between $14,000 and $ 25,000. Several factors affect garage remodeling costs. When you decide on […]
