10 Tips for Homeowners Planning a Renovation

 1. Define Exactly What You Want
Have a clear scope of work before asking contractors for prices. The more decisions you make upfront, the fewer surprises, changes, and delays you’ll face during construction.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Know what you can comfortably spend, keep 10–20% of your budget in reserve for unexpected conditions. Demolition can reveal structural issues, rot, mold, or other problems that weren't visible beforehand.

3. Make Your Material Decisions Early Don't fall into the “figure it out later” mentality. Delaying decisions on materials, finishes, fixtures, or design can lead to change orders, additional costs, and project delays.

4. Get Multiple Proposals
Don't compare contractors based solely on the bottom-line price. Review the scope, materials, allowances, exclusions, schedule, and payment terms. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

5. Check the Contractor—Not Just the References
Verify licensing, insurance, experience, reviews, and references for projects similar to yours. Look beyond the references provided by the contractor and do your own research.

6. Read the Contract Before Signing
Make sure the contract clearly explains the scope of work, price, payment schedule, change-order process, warranty, start date, and completion expectations. Clarify anything that you feel needs clarification!

7. Don't Automatically Choose the Lowest Bidder
A low bid isn't necessarily the lowest cost. Look at the contractor's experience, communication, reputation, and—most importantly—what is actually included in the price.

8. Plan
Before work begins, have a plan for how you'll live through the renovation. Major projects can affect your kitchen, bathrooms, utilities, parking, pets, children, and daily routine. NEVER BE IN A RUSH TO COMPLETE RENOVATION! i.e. “I want it done by graduation”.

9. Put Every Change in Writing
If something changes after the contract is signed, document the change, cost, and potential impact on the schedule before the work is performed. Verbal agreements can create problems later.

10. Have Someone Looking Out for You
You don't have to navigate the renovation process alone. An experienced owner's representative or project consultant can help review proposals, coordinate contractors, monitor progress, and help protect your budget and investment.