The home remodeling process can be challenging. The intensity of work can easily overwhelm you at times. Now, are you planning a minor or major remodeling? Whatever your goal is, having a clear idea of what to expect can make the process smoother.
This blog post explains the home remodeling process. It will give you clear steps, ideas, and useful tips for planning, budgeting, and employing contractors. If you have accurate knowledge, you can deal with the risks better, and utilize your space and money properly. Let’s get going!
Step-by-Step Home Remodeling Process Checklist
If you are thinking about home remodeling, here’s a breakdown of the process step-by-step, that can help you understand better. This checklist will give you an overview of how you should approach the job. Each step includes tasks that will help you stay on track throughout your renovation. Let’s take a look:
1. Planning and Design
Planning and designing is the first and one of the most important steps. It will help you identify your remodeling goals and design according to the budget.
You need to identify the scope of your home remodeling project. Find out what changes you want to make and what you want to keep the same. Think about your needs and wants, and try to balance them out.
Write down your remodeling goals. For example, do you want to improve energy efficiency, increase home value, or create a more functional space for your family? Do you want to change the flooring, ceiling height, and walls or replace the furniture and appliances and add more storage? Do you want the whole house remodeled?
If you are confused, you can consult a contractor or a designer to guide you. You can discuss your vision with them and ask for suggestions. They can also tell you if your plan, design, and budget are aligned.
Here’s a good tip: create vision boards using apps or online platforms like Pinterest to gather inspiration. Stay sorted and organized throughout the process!
2. Budgeting
Budgeting is the key to the home remodeling project. You have to determine the scope and intensity of remodeling based on your budget. Or, make considerable changes to the budget according to your plan. Whatever it is, find out the accurate costs of labor and materials to budget properly.
Unexpected permits, plumbing, or electrical issues can lead you out of budget. You may keep aside 10%-20% of your budget, to cover unexpected expenses. This will help you avoid overspending.
You can reach out to multiple contractors for budget estimates. Also, you must compare prices and services before choosing the right one. If you don’t have enough savings, you can look for home equity loans or refinancing your mortgage. You can also go for personal loans and save in advance.
You can create a budget worksheet or use budgeting apps to track your expenses. Look for opportunities to save money, like reusing materials from your existing home.
3. Demolition
Once the plan, design, and budget are ready, you need to start the real change. You can’t build something new without demolishing the old. And, before demolition begins, you need to clear out the home.
Demolition can be a full range of intensity. This can start from simply moving out old furniture and tearing out everything but the main structure and exterior walls. You need to consult local authorities if you need any permits for demolition.
If you have skills, you can do some of the demolition work yourself. It will save you some money. Or, you can consult a construction company that will do the work for you. They will deal with the permits and waste disposal, too.
Demolition is noisy, messy and dangerous. So, if planning a DIY, you have to wear protective gear during this phase. Safety glasses, gloves, and masks will keep you safe from dust and debris.
4. Hire the Right Subcontractors
Hiring the right subcontractors is very important as the remodeling depends on them. Their focused skill sets will bring a high level of expertise and efficiency to your project.
Consult multiple subcontractors like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Discuss your vision and goals with them. You can collect reviews, and ask for portfolios to examine their skills. Then you need to find out who is the most suitable for your home remodeling.
You must set clear expectations and timelines to avoid misunderstandings. Make sure to read and understand contracts before you sign.
5. Rebuilding/Framing
The extent of the rebuilding depends on your plan. You may need to rebuild extensively or maybe only involve framing in a few new walls.
This phase is where new walls of your home begin to take shape, giving form to the design you’ve envisioned. You need to ensure quality framing to define the physical boundary and stability. If you’re adding new spaces, think about how they will function. For example, if you add a bedroom, consider closet space and natural light.
Ask questions to your contractor if you have any queries. Frequently check the work as it progresses and if it matches your vision.
6. Mechanicals/Plumbing/HVAC/Electrical
This is the backbone of your remodel. This step includes all the elements that typically run with rebuilding and framing. Anything that needs to go inside floors, walls, or ceilings will be completed in this step.
You need to ensure it’s done properly to avoid future issues. Think about installing or upgrading electrical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC. Do you need some minor adjustments or a full rewiring or replumbing of your home?
You can consider energy-efficient systems that can save you money on utility bills. For example, energy-efficient HVAC systems and LED lighting.
You can look into smart home technologies that enhance convenience and energy management. Do not forget to stay updated with the contractor.
7. Walls
After you reframe, rebuild, and deal with the mechanicals, then it’s time for the walls. Follow these steps for installing a wall:
- Install the drywall. It needs to be taped and mudded.
- Once it’s dry, the wall will be sanded till smooth.
- Then it’s time for primer and paint.
This needs to be done carefully to avoid any future issues. At this stage, the rooms start to take their final shape. And, your place begins to look more like a home again.
Proper insulation is needed for energy efficiency and comfort. When choosing insulation materials, consider the climate.
To pick the paint colors, you need to do your research and choose shades that fit your aesthetic. You can consider using washable paints for easy maintenance in high-traffic areas of your home.
8. Flooring
Choosing the right flooring can enhance your home’s aesthetics and functionality. The floor can pull the entire look together. Your contractor will discuss this step with you and determine the best time to do the floor.
You can consult with the designer to pick the right flooring options. There are various floor types you can choose from. Options like hardwood, laminate, tile, and vinyl are among popular choices.
If you are remodeling a bathroom you can go for water-resistant materials. For living rooms, you can pick hardwood as it can add warmth and beauty. Don’t forget about underlay, it can reduce noise and give you extra comfort.
9. Cabinets
After flooring is done, this is the right time to repair or install cabinetry in your home. They offer plenty of storage space in your kitchen and bathroom. You can also install built-in cabinets if you want.
Adding custom cabinets is a great idea to fit your needs and space. You can pick materials like wood, laminate, or metal for your cabinet. Carefully choose the right knobs and handles to enhance the design of your cabinet.
At this stage, you’ll start to see your space coming together. The cabinets will define the layout of your kitchen, bathrooms, and storage areas. Carefully placing the cabinets will bring a sense of order and completion. They can make your home feel both practical and personalized.
10. Appliances
Regular home appliances needed to be installed include air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, drying cabinets, freezers, refrigerators, kitchen stoves, water heaters, washing machines, trash compactors, microwave ovens, induction cookers, etc. These are the key components to make your home almost fully functional.
You need to look for appliances that best fulfill the demands and also complement your decor. Smart appliances are smart choices as you can control them with your phone; they will make your life easier and more efficient.
This step can give you a sense of completion as your remodel transforms from construction to a livable space.
11. Final Touches/Furniture/Accessories
The final stage is all about bringing your vision to life. Here, all the hard work starts to pay off visually.
You need to choose furniture that utilizes your space and keeps it functional. You can pick multifunctional modern furniture, too. Remember to choose the backsplashes that speak your mind.
You can choose layered lighting with stylish fixtures along. However, there’s no alternative to the aura of natural lighting, so don’t forget about that. Add your favorite painting, plants, or decorative pieces for a personalized touch.
When the final touches are added, the whole home remodel transforms your house into the personalized sanctuary you’ve dreamed of from the start.
How Long Does It Take to Fully Remodel a House?
How much time you would need to fully remodel your home depends on the scope and intensity of your renovation project. You might need from a few weeks to a few months to complete your house remodeling project. Here is a rough outline for the timeframe:
- Minor Renovations: 1-4 weeks
- Moderate Renovations (kitchen or bathroom remodels): 4-12 weeks
- Major Renovations (whole-house remodels): 3-6 months or longer
There are some factors that may cause delays and extend your timelines. They are the following:
- Legal permits may take more time than you thought.
- A new scope of work might show up.
- You may have to deal with unexpected damage you didn’t know existed.
- Rain or bad weather conditions can delay the exterior work.
- If you change the order, you may need more time.
You cannot control everything. So, you need to have an open and realistic expectation. You can order your materials and apply for permits in advance. If anything goes out of your plan, try to fix it. If it’s not fixable, try to adapt it to your schedule.
Conclusion
The home remodeling process is complicated and can be challenging for homeowners because many things can go wrong. However, learning about the right approach is the key. Planning and budgeting is the most important stage of your remodeling. Balancing out your scope of remodeling, wants, and needs with what you can afford is important for you. It can make the whole home remodeling process easier.
With a flawless renovation, your dreams of your own special home becomes reality. So, follow the checklist, and navigate each stage with confidence. Remember to take your time, and consult professionals when necessary.
Do you live near Halifax? Are you planning on remodeling your home? Then you can reach out to Case Design/Remodeling Halifax. With experienced and skilled professionals, we will remodel your dream home with ease and perfection. Visit our website and contact us.
