According to a new study by House Method, more than 55% of homeowners are choosing to remodel their living spaces rather than move or sell. But renovating your home isn’t a quick weekend project—it’s a big undertaking that can feel completely overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Whether you want to upgrade a single room or tackle a whole-house remodel, we want to give you the confidence to finally get going!
We’ve broken down the process of starting a home renovation into simple steps.
1. Define your goals
What exactly do you want from your remodel or renovation? Are you looking to create more space? Add functionality? Improve the aesthetic? Get specific, because having clear goals helps guide every other decision. We suggest making a list of what you need and want so that your home designer and renovator can help you prioritize your home updates based on what’s most important to you.
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2. Set a realistic budget
A lot of people make the mistake of underestimating the cost of renovations. The key is to establish a budget before you get too deep into planning. We find that it’s helpful when clients come to us for a consultation early in their planning process with an overall budget figure and their goals in mind. We can then listen to their goals, ask the right questions, advise on any tax implications, and help formulate a solution that works within the scope of their budget, taking into account factors like materials, labor, and unexpected issues that might pop up.
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3. Consider your timeline
Home renovations often take longer than you may expect. Depending on the scale of the work, a full home renovation can take anywhere from several months to over a year. Smaller projects can generally be completed faster. We suggest working with a reputable design-build company that will give you informed estimates and keep the project on track so that you plan accordingly.
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4. Hire the right professionals
Renovations can be complex, especially when you’re dealing with structural changes, plumbing, or electrical systems. A skilled contractor can make or break the project. Look for someone who’s licensed, experienced, and comes with solid recommendations. They’ll help with permits, timeline management, and finding the right specialists for each task.
You’ll want to read: Step-by-Step Guide: How to find the right contractor for your home renovation in Jacksonville
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5. Get your permits in order
Any major work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or new windows will likely need permits. You don’t want to get halfway through your project and realize that you’re out of compliance. Your contractor should know exactly which permits are needed and handle the paperwork for you, but make sure you’re clear about what’s required before work begins.
6. Plan for disruption
Renovating your home can be messy, noisy, and inconvenient, especially if you’re living in the space. Be realistic about how much disruption you’re willing to tolerate and think about whether you’ll need to stay elsewhere for part of the process. If you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, you may want to find temporary solutions, like setting up a mini kitchen in another room.
7. Finalize your design
Once you’ve tackled the big picture—goals, budget, timeline—start thinking about the design. You may already have ideas about the style you want, but this is when you’ll really start getting into the details. Look at design magazines, browse online, or talk to a designer to finalize your choices for finishes, colors, layouts, and fixtures.
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Ready to get started on your home renovation?
Over years of experience designing, building, and renovating homes in a wide range of styles and concepts, we have developed and refined a systematic process to help keep the project on a course toward successful completion. Let’s talk about how we can bring you to your end goal in the smoothest and most cost-efficient manner possible.
Further reading: Your guide to home renovation terminology you need to know
