Planning a home renovation can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done one before. We’ve constructed as well as renovated many homes, so we know first-hand the best approach for getting started. Here are several useful home renovation tips and tricks.

How to Start a Home Renovation? Follow These 6 Tips

1. Assess the Need for Home Renovation

First things first: to ensure you are not wasting your time, effort, and money, it’s important to evaluate the need for home renovation.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How long are you planning to stay in your home?
• Does the roof need repair?
• Are there any missing tiles that need to be fixed?
• Are there any broken windows that need to be replaced?
• Does the house require extensive remodeling?
• Do you need to upgrade existing home appliances or buy new ones?

2. Build a Comprehensive Home Renovation Plan

The second critical step is creating a detailed home renovation strategy that clearly indicates:

• The goal of the renovation
• An outline of the work that needs to be completed
• A list of do-it-yourself activities
• A list of the activities that would require professional assistance

Simultaneously, perform thorough research on local zoning permits and standards. Ensure your zone allows remodeling (some renovations, such as garage remodeling, are not allowed everywhere in Chicago) and find out if you need a permit. If you are planning to extend your home or change its structure, you likely need a permit. The best time to apply for a permit is 6-12 months before you plan to begin the home renovation.

3. Define a Budget

Another significant step in the home renovation process is planning your budget. It should include the costs for:

• Permits
• Building materials
• Labor
• Home decor and furnishings

To plan your budget:

• Determine how much you can spend. Reserve at least 15% of the budget for unforeseen needs
• Meet with multiple home renovation professionals and ask for project cost estimates to pick the one that best suits your requirements

If your cost estimate is going beyond your budget, reevaluate your home renovation plan and eliminate elements that are low priority. Finalize your budget at least 3-6 months before starting a home renovation.

4. Hire the Right Home Renovation Professionals

Once you have a step-by-step home renovation plan and finalized budget, choose your home renovation professionals. Ensure you consider the following factors before making your decision:

• Certificate of insurance: Home renovation professionals should have workers’ compensation and liability insurance coverage.
• Contracting license: Ensure the professionals you are hiring have the necessary certificates for their work area. 
• Payment schedule: A reputable professional will never ask for full upfront payment. Set the payment terms in advance to avoid issues during project execution.
• Prior experience: A professional who has been in business for a long time is safer to work with than someone who’s new to the business.
• Reviews and ratings: Check the company’s reviews and ratings on Google, Yelp, and other third-party review and rating platforms.

If you are planning to employ more than one company for your home renovation job, decide who will lead the project and delegate the responsibilities accordingly.

5. Finalize a Project Timeline

Once you have decided your budget and hired a professional for your home renovation project, build a timeline that clearly states the completion date. Ensure you involve the professional(s) in the timeline discussion so that everyone is in agreement.

The project timeline should be comprised of:

• Shipment and delivery timelines of the materials
• Professionals’ holidays and breaks
• Final cleaning of the project area

6. Prepare For the Home Renovation Project

Once the planning is complete, move to the next phase of your home renovation project. Pack your stuff and clear the areas that need to be renovated. For larger renovations, avoid staying at home during renovation and move to a temporary place, if possible.