A little planning can make a home renovation feel a lot less intimidating
Your house renovation process starts with assessing which areas need work and setting clear goals to prevent costly scope creep later.
Typical costs range from $19,500 to $87,970 for a complete home renovation, with homeowners spending an average of $52,000 in 2024.
Set aside 10% to 20% of your total budget as a contingency fund to cover unexpected issues like mold or faulty wiring.
Hiring a local home remodeling professional provides reliable guidance on permits, structural work, and electrical or plumbing updates that keep your home safe.
Whether you’re a new homeowner who wants to customize your space or you've owned a home for decades and are ready to update, renovating a home is exciting. However, the process can also be intimidating. Let’s look at how to renovate a house so you know what to expect before starting this big project.
Kicking off a home renovation can feel quite daunting, but one way to make the process more manageable is to get a clear understanding of the project's scope. Consider which areas of the house need the most work and determine your renovation goals. Are you focused on modernizing outdated features or adding more functional space? Be clear about what you hope to achieve to make planning easier.
For instance, perhaps you want to focus on cosmetic projects, like updating flooring, cabinetry, or wall finishes. A thorough assessment will guide your decisions moving forward and prevent scope creep (which can cost you a pretty penny and a whole lot of stress).
Now is a good time to create a home renovation checklist and figure out how long your home renovation will take.
Many spending temptations can pop up during a home renovation, and you’re bound to run into a problem that only money can solve. This is why setting a realistic budget is critical. Research the costs for each aspect of your project, including labor, materials, and any hidden expenses like permits or unforeseen repairs. Break your budget down by category (e.g., kitchen, bathroom, windows) to ensure you account for every area in your home.
It's also a good idea to set aside a contingency fund—about 10% to 20% of your total budget—for unexpected renovation costs. For example, opening a wall may reveal issues like mold or faulty wiring that need immediate attention. A well-planned budget allows for flexibility without derailing the project.
The cost to renovate a house in 2024 ranges from $19,500 to $87,970, with homeowners spending an average of $52,000. Factors like the size of the home, the quality of materials, and whether professional help is needed can influence the final cost.
One of the most significant decisions you must make during any renovation is which parts you will hire a professional home remodeling contractor near you to help with and which projects you will DIY. For example, you can easily manage tasks like painting walls, installing shelves, or replacing cabinet hardware yourself. However, more complex jobs—such as electrical work, plumbing, or installing load-bearing walls—should be left to licensed professionals. Mistakes in these areas can lead to significant safety hazards or expensive repairs down the road.
Not sure who to hire for a home renovation? Ask friends, neighbors, and family members for referrals.
Many people use the terms 'remodel' and 'renovation' interchangeably, but they're actually different types of projects. A remodel is larger than a renovation and changes an existing space's structure, design, or functionality. A renovation is more cosmetic. You can think of it like this—a renovation makes something old look and feel new, while a remodel makes something new out of something old.
Depending on the scope of your home renovation project, you may need to obtain permits from your local government. These permits ensure that the renovation complies with local building codes and regulations.
Neglecting to secure the proper permits can result in hefty fines, delays, and even legal issues. Common home improvement projects that require permits include adding rooms, modifying plumbing or electrical systems, and major exterior changes. Check with your local building authority to determine which permits you’ll need before you kick off any major home renovation projects.
Once the heavy lifting is done, it’s time to focus on the finishing touches. This is where you can truly bring your vision to life. Paint walls, install light fixtures, and add decor that reflects your personal style. In many cases, you will be able to skip hiring a professional and can tackle these small final jobs on your own.
Final touches like new hardware on doors, updated lighting, and well-placed furniture can elevate the space and create a cohesive design.
Jason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLCCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC1st Choice Renew is simply the best! We hired them for a complete home renovation, and they transformed our space into something truly amazing. The team attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident throughout the project. They were easy to work with, very responsive, and always...
Save A DimeThis company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimneyCustom Paint Jobs LLC turned our outdated bathroom into a modern masterpiece.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCExcellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileThey work that 360 did on my kitchen cabinets is nothing short of amazing. I still cannot believe the difference from before and after. Jon and Jeff were both so incredibly professional throughout the whole process and their communications with me were constant and consistent. These guys...
360 Painting ColumbusFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Dreaming of building your own home from the ground up? Learn how much it costs to build a house yourself and if it’s worth it to skip the pro on this project.
Luxury home renovation costs more than typical remodeling due to the increased expense of high-end materials, which can increase the value of your home.
Knowing how much it costs to renovate a house will help you plan and budget appropriately. Use this guide to get a rough estimate for your project.
How long does it take to renovate a house? Whether you’re doing a whole-house remodel or a cosmetic renovation, learn expected timelines.
Living at home while renovations are underway can be challenging for the whole family. Use these strategies to stay stress-free while your project is in progress.
Ready to dive into that home reno but tight on funds? Learn all the different ways to finance home renovations to get your work underway and stay on budget.
