Home Renovation Checklist: Everything You Need To Know

If you’ve decided to renovate your home, the project can be an overwhelming process as there’s plenty to do from planning to selecting materials and finishes and budgeting. Timing and foresight are also vital in renovation projects, so you wouldn’t want to lose track of what’s required and when. 

To ensure that you’re on top of everything, having a renovation checklist is vital. It’s a simple way to keep you on track and avoid any time overruns or bursting your budget. While every renovation project is different, there are some key stages from planning to design and construction that most renovations will encounter. 

Do your research

Before you even begin your renovation, you’re going to need to do the proper research. The last thing you’d want is to be halfway through the renovation process before realizing that it doesn’t adhere to local laws – especially if you’re looking to do extensive renovation works such as adding a second story.

Collect ideas

After you’ve done the research, it’s time to brainstorm and get creative. To gather ideas, you can create a Pinterest board and even create a magazine clippings folder. You can also create a mood board with your favorite colors and finishes.

Gather quotes 

Now that you’ve got a better idea of what you’d like everything to look like, you can start getting some quotations. These quotations will give you a better idea of what’s within your budget and allow you to make more informed decisions on which materials are more budget-friendly. 

Set your budget

Here’s where you start to calculate your maximum spend. If you’re unsure of where to start, you can seek an average price per sq foot for renovation work from architects or companies around your area. Renovations also tend to go over budget sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, so you may want to set aside some additional money for any extras that you may forget.  

Figure out who you need

Depending on your renovation project and current situation, you may need an architect or a draftsperson for your project’s initial phases. If you’re looking for an architect or draftsperson, you’d want to interview a few of them, run them through your plans and get a few quotes and start dates. 

After you’ve nailed that down, you’ll also need to find a builder. Personal recommendations from friends and family are usually the best starting point, and you should be able to shortlist a few builders. Remember to also properly review contracts and all fine print before signing them. Sometimes contractors will have architects on staff as well making the process even easier.

Hiring the right painter is key 

Just like your builder, you’d also want to hire the right painter for the job. If you’re already pumping in a hefty amount of money for your renovation, a poor paint job can jeopardize the entire project. You can look at some of the painting company’s existing reviews, check their pricing structures, and verify references and past jobs.

Check in frequently

When your renovation is in progress, you should closely communicate and check-in with the builder so you’ve got a good idea of how everything is tracking. If there are any issues, you can also act on them quickly instead of waiting until the end. 

Summing up

After you’ve followed through this entire checklist, your renovation is officially complete. Well, after the post-renovation cleaning that is. To be sure, you can always go through the renovated area to make sure that everything has been delivered as per the agreement. 

You’ll also want to keep all your documents and agreements in a safe place just in case something happens down the line. Then, it’s time to unwind, enjoy your new space, and celebrate the fruits of your labor – you deserve it.  

About The Author: Luke Fitzpatrick is a freelance journalist and has been published in a variety of publications such as Forbes, Tech In Asia and The Next Web. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, lecturing in Cross-Cultural Management and the Pre-MBA Program.

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash