But as addictive as watching home renovation shows can be, everyone knows the reality that it takes time to renovate a home.
The reality is, however, that unless you happen to do it for a living it can feel overwhelming when thinking about a full home renovation.
Fortunately, all it takes is some planning and forethought…together with some hard work, of course…to make your home renovation dreams a reality.
1. Design and plan
Think about what you want the end result to be and work backward. It doesn’t have to be complicated…a simple sketch on paper of what you want should be enough.
Make a rough list of what you’ll need to help you come up with an estimate of the cost and make sure you have enough money on hand BEFORE you begin the work.
2. Siding, Windows, Roof, Foundation, & Water
Start with the structure of the home, if needed.:
- ⬥ Repair or replace the roof (including the underlayment)
- ⬥ Fix any water infiltration into the basement
- ⬥ Have the foundation repaired by a professional (this is too big of a job for the average person to handle)
- ⬥ Siding installation (DIY or contract)
- ⬥ Install or repair windows
Bottom line, the larger projects should be done first because they support the rest of your projects.
Note: If the windows are damaged but not so much that they allow water into the home they can be left until later.
3. Demolition
Rent a large container for your waste.
Then, demolish the parts of the house that you plan to renovate all at once, or one area at a time, depending on your plan.
If you’re not living in the home it’s easier to demolish everything at once, but if you’re still in the home be sure to protect areas that won’t be renovated from damage.
If you think or know that you will be dealing with lead-based paint, exercise caution by wearing protection.
4. Structural Carpentry
Next, begin building out the structural carpentry that will support the walls, doors, windows, etc.
If you plan to put in larger windows you’ll need to add more support when you enlarge the window openings.
Add new doors or replace your current ones.
5. Ductwork for your HVAC system, Electrical & Plumbing Changes
While the walls and ceiling are open is the time you’ll want to deal with your home’s internal systems.
DIY or have a professional install new ductwork for your central air and heating.
Next, put in your electrical and plumbing systems. Be sure to have inspections done while everything is easily visible for the inspectors…and you, should you need to change anything.
6. Insulation
Put the installation in the ceiling and the walls of the home, including the attic.
This doesn’t take long, so if you’re having the drywall professionally installed, now’s the time to call the contractor. If you’re doing it yourself, get ready to get dirty!
7. Drywall
Be sure to get a final inspection before you close up the walls and ceiling, then close up the walls with drywall; hang it, seal up the gaps with drywall compound, let it dry, then sand it smooth.
8. Windows
Unless you’ve already installed them, it’s time to put in new construction or replacement windows.
9. Detailed Carpentry
You’re nearly there…put the finishing touches on your walls but installing baseboards, molding, trim around doors and windows and built-in elements such as breakfast nooks or bookcases.
10. Interior Finishing
Now you’re close to wrapping up all of the hard work you’ve done on your home renovation.
Paint your home’s interior walls, hang wallpaper, stain and seal trim, etc.
You could lay the floors first, but there’s a chance that paint could get on the flooring. Alternatively, if you paint first, your walls could get scuffed when the flooring is installed.
11. Flooring
Install your flooring as late in the home renovation process as possible to prevent them from getting damaged.
12. Siding, Gutters
Finally, have siding installed on your home, now that the interior work has been done.
If you’d done the siding first it could have been damaged when the new doors and windows were installed, so if possible, install the siding and gutters when you’re nearly done with the home.
As you can see the process for an organized home makeover isn’t as quick and easy as those home renovation shows make it, but it’s every bit as exciting to see the end results when you’ve done your own home renovation.
