House renovation is less extensive than remodeling since it involves more cosmetic than structural changes. Both can be expensive, especially if you update bathrooms, kitchens, or rooms by changing out appliances and fixtures like bathtubs, sinks, cabinets, flooring, and walls. Renovations improve a home's appearance, usability, and resale value. A house renovation can vary in scope from modifying a single room or the whole house; the more you renovate, the pricier the project will be, and you will likely want the help of a contractor to get the job done. Here's what you need to know about organizing a major home renovation project. 

Margot Cavin How to Plan and Prepare for a Home Renovation Knowing what to expect and what hidden pitfalls can occur during a home renovation project can remove frustration. Get organized by drafting a plan and assessing your budget. Remember to include the details, like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, all the finishes, and the entire project scope from beginning to end. Determining BudgetA home renovation can cost an average of $15 to $60 per square foot. However, that range can widen depending on location, the materials used, and the scope of the renovation. Renovating a house that is 1,250 to 1,600 square feet costs an average of $52,040, but you can pay up to $189,000.1

Make sure that you have funding for your renovation. Cash can conceivably fund single-room or smaller projects like remodeling a small bathroom or kitchen, painting, flooring, or even building a small room addition. Whole-home renovations are so extensive, expensive, and lengthy that outside funding is usually necessary. Unsecured home improvement loans typically have a lending limit of $50,000 to $100,000. These loans tend to close quickly for qualified borrowers but have higher interest rates than secured loans. Home equity lines of credit are secured loans that use your home's equity as security, and they usually have lower interest rates than personal, unsecured loans. Public Domain: Petr KratochvilPlanning the DesignStart by planning a design or sketch for what you want to do in the space, including a goal list. You can play with online design tools to get your basic ideas down. Depending on how elaborate you want to get, you might enlist the help of an architect or interior designer. List the DIY projects you might want to do or decide if you want a contractor to handle everything. Do a rough estimate of when you want to get started and when you want it completed. A rough timeline is an excellent place to start; however, you must develop a more concrete timeline with your contractor.Tip

When choosing a contractor, architect, or interior designer, ensure the business bureau accredits them, that they have the proper licensing, and that they can show you a portfolio of their work. Hiring a ContractorSearch for contractors and subcontractors and compile a list of reputable professionals with positive reviews. During this process, call several with a good reputation or have come recommended. Get multiple quotes, ensure they are licensed and insured, and evaluate how well they communicate with you. Do they get back to you immediately, and are they direct, or do they seem cagey or talk in circles? Your contractor will supervise your home renovation and should be expected to keep the project running on time and within budget. They will arrange most of the work of the subcontractors, such as electricians, plumbers, structural carpenters, and foundation companies. They have a working relationship with these people and vouch for their work.

Learning the Building CodesIn many localities, building codes require only professionally licensed tradespeople to handle this part of the renovation. Carefully check the building code requirements in your area. If you hire a contractor, they will likely hold the permits for you and meet with inspectors. If you want to do some small projects, you must apply for permits independently. If you do so, you'll need to handle all arrangements yourself: application, inspections, and finalizing the permits (taking them to completion). Keep in mind that in some places, it can take weeks, if not months, for permits to be approved, depending on the work.

Making a Renovation PlanThe timeline comes together when considering the whole picture and all the elements that need to fall into place, from structural carpentry to electrical and plumbing, windows, hanging drywall, and paint and finishes. A project stalls if a fixture, appliance, or material becomes discontinued, gets back ordered, or subcontractors fall behind.Here is what each of the parts of the project may entail: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services must be installed when the walls and ceiling are open. Open walls and ceilings make it easier for the HVAC company to install ductwork for central heating and air conditioning and for electricians and plumbers to run new electrical and plumbing systems.

Carpentry: Most home renovations do not involve structural carpentry since that falls more into home remodeling. However, you might want a carpenter to install baseboards, molding, trim around windows and doors, and built-in elements like cabinets, bookcases, or breakfast nooks. A structural carpenter moves or constructs new walls, adds support beams, builds framing for new windows, or can create or remove doors.

Fixtures and appliances: Fixtures stay in places such as cabinetry, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, and major home appliances like dishwashers and stoves. These get factored into the renovation plan because of their size and specifications as they apply to your project blueprint, and you will need to order these items in advance to have them in time for your project.

Windows: Adding new windows or enlarging window openings is considered a remodeling project. Fix or replace any windows that cause leaks. If the windows are not seriously damaged, leave the repair or replacement for a later remodeling project. Unless you have this specific experience, professionals should be used to installing new or replacement windows.

Wall insulation and drywall: Installing insulation and hanging drywall is easy enough for a home DIYer, but some contractors might want to do this themselves to ensure it's done right. Work out what you want to do and what the contractor should handle. Before you close up the walls, you'll need a second inspection from the electrical inspector (and perhaps the plumbing inspector). They will give you the go-ahead to close up the walls. Hanging drywall is a multistep process that involves hanging, mudding, and sanding the drywall.

Flooring: Install floor coverings in the house. Decide on the type of flooring, ranging from hardwood to laminate and carpet to tile. This project should be one of the last, saving your flooring surface from significant damage. Molding installation and painting should go last.

Paint or wallpaper the walls: Many homeowners can handle painting interior walls, hanging wallpaper, painting molding and trim, or staining and sealing trim. These detail-oriented surface finishes should be some of the last items.

Exterior work: Exterior renovations can be done simultaneously with interior work. This work can include installing new gutters, repaving driveways, landscaping, fixing siding, painting the exterior, or replacing crumbling masonry.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin       Complete Preliminary ProjectsBefore starting the home renovation project, you may have other major work to complete. These projects include Foundation and structure: Address the foundation and any structural problems. Secure the house foundation and majorly repair weakened walls, joists, and carrying beams.

Roofing: Repair or replace the roof to protect the work below.

Siding: Fix or replace the siding. If it is so damaged, it will allow water infiltration, repair or replace it. If it is not seriously damaged, save it for later.

Windows: Fix or replace any windows that cause leaks. If the windows are not seriously damaged, leave the repair or replacement for later. 

The Spruce / Margot CavinStarting the RenovationYou must move furniture and all items out of the work areas. You may need to designate a spare room or garage or get a temporary storage space. Items in the room should be covered and sealed in plastic to protect them from construction dust, paint, or debris.You may need to rent a large container for waste, or your subcontractor should haul it away for you. If you plan to demolish a wall, you can save money if you do the demolition work, but only do this work if it's not a structural wall.

If you plan to live in the home during the renovation, vacuum and wet dust your space daily using a HEPA vacuum to remove dust particles. Invest in an air purifier to keep your air breathable, and open windows or use your HVAC system to keep air circulating. If workers move through your space frequently, cover the floor and space with antistatic plastic sheeting and establish their walking route to minimize tracking in construction dust everywhere.

WARNING

Exercise caution when demolishing surfaces coated with lead-based paint. Asbestos, often common in older homes, can also be a severe health hazard. It is a good idea to call a professional for help with anything involving asbestos or lead-based paint.2InspectionsOnce the work is complete, the local municipality will do final inspections. However, before you get to that phase, you may want to independently check the contractor's work with a third-party inspector to ensure it is up to code. If they find errors or weaknesses, the contractor can correct the work before stating it is complete and within their warranty period. Items to inspect include:Plumbing

Appliance and fixture installation

Electrical and HVAC

Imperfections or damage

Code violations, permits, or inspection paperwork

 CC-Licensed; Flickr User 1000 x 1500How to Save on Home RenovationsSome of the more manageable home renovation tasks for a DIYer involve demolition work (of non-load-bearing walls), removing old materials, installing insulation or drywall, replacing some types of flooring, and painting walls or hanging wallpaper. Doing this work can save you from $5,000 to $10,000.Hire a professional for all the major work that requires specialty expertise, such as plumbing, electrical, structural, or HVAC. Some building codes may need it, and it will be safer, removing risk from electrocution or major plumbing disasters down the line.

FAQ

What is the best order to renovate a home?

In addition to making a detailed renovation plan and establishing a timeline, decluttering your home and organizing your belongings into storage bins can help streamline the process. You might even consider a garage sale or large donation to charities that take personal items, furnishings, and fittings. This will also make it easier to move everything back into your home after the renovation is complete.

What remodeling projects are the most expensive?

The priciest remodeling projects are building a home extension or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom.3 The average cost for a home addition is about $50,000, a kitchen remodel is about $30,000, and a new bathroom is about $11,000.4

10 most popular home remodeling projects and how much they cost. Angi.

What is renovating vs. remodeling?

A home renovation is when you want to refresh or update your space with new finishes and fixtures. A remodel is when you create something new out of something old, such as upgrading an existing half bath into a large en suite.

More info here https://vkrenovations.ca/