What steps should follow in my home renovation project?

Planning Your Home Renovation Project

Tackling a whole home renovation is not for the faint of heart. This is a project that, for most people, will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This typically means that most homeowners are in a position of “you don’t know what you don’t know.” In other words, you will have a general idea that there are a lot of details involved, but you won’t have any idea just how many until you start your project.

Fortunately, we’ve worked with many New York homeowners on their whole-home renovation projects and know just how many details go into getting them right. We love planning, designing, and building out our clients’ dream renovations. Over the years, we have developed a general whole-home renovation checklist to help our clients better understand the process.

So, what are the general steps you should follow? And what sorts of things should be on your home remodel checklist? Here are our best tips to help you plan and organize your renovation.

Home Remodeling Steps

While this is not an exhaustive checklist, the following is the general order for a whole-home remodel. Some of these steps may happen simultaneously, but for the most part, the next step on the list cannot be completed until the previous one is. As you prepare for your home renovation, here’s the general order of operations.

1. Planning and Design

This step includes laying out your budget, working with your designer and builder to communicate your vision, securing permits for the build, and any other pre-planning steps. It’s essential to establish a clear financial plan to ensure that your remodel stays on track and within your means. During this phase, collaboration with your designer is crucial for translating your ideas into actionable plans, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.

Additionally, securing the necessary permits early on will help prevent any delays in the construction process. Your builder will also assist in assessing the impact of the remodel on your daily life and advise you, if needed, when you may need to relocate to ensure your comfort and safety during construction temporarily. Proper preparation at this stage sets the foundation for a smooth, successful remodel, allowing the project to proceed with confidence.

2. Demolition

You can’t build in the new without tearing out the old! Demolition can range from simply moving out old furniture and tearing down a few walls to a complete gut, which includes tearing out everything except key structural elements and your exterior walls.

This phase can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, as the old makes way for the new, revealing the raw canvas that will soon become your dream space. It’s the first significant step in transforming your home, setting the stage for the construction to follow.

3. Rebuilding and Framing

The extent of this step is primarily due to your plan. You may need to rebuild extensively, or this might only involve framing in a few new walls.

This phase is where your home’s new structure begins to take shape, giving form to the layout changes you’ve envisioned. Whether it’s adding new rooms, expanding existing spaces, or simply reconfiguring the flow, the framing process is crucial in defining the physical boundaries and bringing your design to life.

4. Mechanical Systems—Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical

This step includes all the “behind the scenes” elements and typically runs concurrently with rebuilding and framing. Basically, anything that needs to go inside floors, walls, or ceilings will be completed in this step. It could include minor adjustments to plumbing and electrical systems, or it could be a complete rewiring or replumbing of your home.

This phase is critical for ensuring that your home functions efficiently and safely, with modern systems that meet current codes and your specific needs. Whether it’s updating electrical wiring or reworking plumbing, these hidden components lay the groundwork for a comfortable and reliable living environment.

5. Walls and Ceilings

Once everything has been reframed and rebuilt, all mechanicals and insulation are in place, drywall or plaster can be installed. Once the walls are smooth, they’ll be ready for primer, paint, or other finishes. At this stage, your space starts to feel more like a home again as the rooms take on their final shape.

Many contractors prefer to paint at this point to avoid drips or overspray on the final finishes, leaving a clean, polished look as the project progresses to the finishing touches.

6. Flooring

Not all contractors prefer to do this step in the same order. Some may opt to wait until all painting is complete and dust has settled before installing the final flooring, to ensure a pristine finish. Your builder will discuss this step with you and determine the best timing to align with the progress of your whole-home remodel.

Whether it’s laying down hardwood, tile, or carpet, this step is crucial in pulling the entire look of your home together, adding both comfort and style to your newly remodeled spaces.

7. Cabinets

Anything that needs to be “fixed” in your space will be installed now. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, along with other built-in fixtures, will start to go in, giving your rooms their functional structure.

This is an exciting stage because you’ll really start to see your space coming together as cabinets define the layout of your kitchen, bathrooms, and storage areas. The careful placement of these elements brings a sense of order and completion, making your home feel both practical and personalized.

8. Appliances

Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and any other appliances and mechanicals are installed at this stage. With these key components in place, your home is likely fully functional, allowing you to start using your new kitchen and other spaces.

Although some final elements may still be pending, this step brings a significant sense of completion as your remodel transitions from construction to livable space, where you can begin to enjoy the results of your hard work.

9. Final Touches

This is the stage where all the hard work starts to pay off visually. Backsplashes are installed, that perfect faucet you picked for the half bath goes in, wallpaper is put up, and accessories, art, and furniture are moved in.

With every detail, your vision for the space begins to materialize, bringing a sense of accomplishment and excitement. As the final touches are added, the whole home remodel transforms your house into the personalized sanctuary you’ve envisioned from the start.

Remodel Checklist

Each step above will have its own set of “to-dos.” Hiring the right design-build remodeling firm can take many of these items off your home remodel checklist (e.g., applying for and submitting permits) and help ease your mind. Work with someone who knows the market and understands the details of overseeing the steps of a whole-home remodel in your city or town. Many statutes and requirements vary by city, so it’s essential to work with someone who knows them inside and out.

You should also partner with someone who truly understands the upheaval that a whole-home remodel causes in your daily life. These types of businesses will make sure they create a plan for you and your family that makes sense and gets you back into your home and living comfortably as soon as possible.

Finally, work with a reputable builder who wants to make sure your whole-home remodel truly delivers your dream home. They won’t skimp on finishes and will ensure every detail is executed flawlessly. Ask your neighbors who they recommend, read reviews, and schedule consultations until you find the right firm. This project could potentially be one of the biggest and best investments of your life, so make sure it’s perfect.

Summary

Fantasy Finishes is an employee-owned company that makes our clients our number one priority. We participate in home renovation and remodeling projects for our clients in Long Island, New York, and deliver the best value through exceptional craftsmanship, excellent materials, and ethical business practices.