Planning your renovation project before starting any work is crucial.
From choosing contractors to renovations on a budget. From kitchen remodels to essentials everyone tries to jump right into the fun stuff.
But your roof — and other unseen components that make up your home — shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Before you spend $1 on new cabinets or kitchen countertops, here’s what you need to know.
Did you know that homeowners spent $603 billion on home renovations in 2024?
With so much money being invested into renovations across the U.S., making sure you’re spending your hard-earned dollars wisely is essential.
Here’s the thing. If you know where to start, planning your renovation doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
In fact, planning everything out in advance can save you thousands of dollars in costly mistakes and missteps. You’ll also see results that actually stand the test of time.
Here’s everything you need to consider before your renovation journey begins.
What you’ll learn:
- Why planning matters
- The four phases of renovation
- How to choose the right contractors
- How to prioritise your renovation projects
Why Planning Matters
If you took a guided tour through a house and saw how everything was put together. You’d be amazed that it all stands upright.
None of it would make sense if it wasn’t for one simple thing; planning.
The studs on the walls aren’t what make a house stand. The roof doesn’t keep the wind out because it wants to. Every piece of your home works together because someone made a plan.
When it comes to renovations, failing to plan before starting work is equally as detrimental.
Many jump into the fun stuff. Picking paint colours. Swatch samples. Granite vs Quartz.
Don’t do it. Not until you have a plan that takes care of everything below the cosmetic level.
Your roofing keeps your house protected from the elements. Your electrical wires power your entire life. If your plumbing goes, everything else becomes a problem.
The Four Phases of Renovation
Think of your home as a human body. If your roofing begins to fail, everything else suffers. Same thing goes for renovating your home.
Your roof should be the first thing you take care of before starting any inside work.
Here are the four phases to planning (and executing) your home renovations.
Phase 1. Take Stock of Your Home
Start in your attic. Work your way down to the basement. Become intimately familiar with every detail of your home.
Does the paint look like it could use a refresh? Do you have cracked foundation everywhere you look?
Make notes as you go. What needs replaced? What needs repaired?
Everything you want to renovate.
Phase 2. Focus on the Exterior
Your roofing is your home’s first line of defence. It protects absolutely everything beneath it.
That’s why roofing contractor services should be at the top of your list when thinking about renovations.
If your roof is lacking, don’t start interior work until you schedule a new roof installation. Water intrusion leads to mold, structural problems and expensive repairs down the road.
Phase 3. Systems
Once you know your roof is sound, move on to everything else inside the walls.
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC. Like your roof, these expensive systems are hard (and expensive) to retrofit after the fact.
Phase 4. Cosmetic Stuff
Fresh paint. New floors. Updated kitchens/bathrooms.
You’ve now finished the things that won’t be visible after moving in cabinets and buying fancy refrigerator. Time to enjoy all of your hard work.
How to Choose the Right Contractors
Not all contractors are created equal. Especially when looking at roofing contractor services vs painter services.
You want a general contractor to help you coordinate the big picture. But for specific jobs, you need specialised help.
Roofing and gutter replacements require a different set of skills than your average paint job.
So how do you find the right contractors?
Here are four things to look for when vetting potential candidates:
- Ask for referrals. Then actually call their references.
- Verify their licensing and insurance.
- Get detailed written estimates.
- Make sure you can easily communicate with them.
92% of homeowners will experience some sort of issue during their renovation project. One-third of homeowners report that finding reputable service providers is their biggest challenge.
Take your time finding the right contractors. It’ll pay off in the long run.
How to Prioritise Your Renovation Projects
No two homes are remodeled the same. Everyone has different needs and desires.
Some projects protect your investment. Others simply make your home look nice.
Your roofing is one of the most important components of your home. That’s why seven out of ten homeowners list roof maintenance as their number one reason for hiring a roofing contractor.
Investing in your roofing protects absolutely everything else. So prioritize roofing work or maintenance before anything else.
Anything that involves electricity, plumbing or HVAC systems are also high priority. After that, you can start filling in the blanks.
Kitchen renovations, bathroom remodels, new flooring and updated windows are all considered medium-priority.
Decorative landscaping, outside lighting and non-essential room additions fall into our lower-priority category.
Does this mean you shouldn’t spend money on new deck furniture? Of course not!
You shouldn’t pre-renovate your home before assessing the things that could potentially cause you money down the road.
House → Roofing → Utilities → Rooms → Cosmetic
Think of it as a formula for renovation success.
Planning ahead of time and taking care of the most important items keeps you from dropping thousands of dollars on things that don’t really matter.
Build Your Timeline
Start planning your renovation six to twelve months in advance. This will give you plenty of time to research and find qualified contractors.
Timing is everything when renovating your home.
You’ll want to schedule your roofing work during dryer months. While interior work can be completed year-round.
Exterior → Interior. Always follow this order when planning your renovation.
Remember, any delays that happen while working on the outside of your home could potentially destroy any inside work you’ve already spent money on.
Build buffer time into your schedule. Always. Things will come up that will push your timeline back.
Be prepared for the unexpected.
Build Your Budget
You’ve probably heard this before, but renovation projects always cost more than you think.
Prepare to spend 15-20% more than what you’re quoted by contractors.
If you’re doing multiple phases of work, or if your home is on the older side, pad your budget even more.
Why spend $1,000 on a new kitchen when you have a leaking roof? Prioritise your budget according to the formulas we mentioned above.
Don’t have the money to tackle everything in one go? Consider phasing your reno instead of taking out a loan and cheating your projects of the quality they deserve.
Wrapping Up
Want your renovation journey to go smoothly?
Start with the foundation. New roofs. Updates to electrical wiring. Replacing old plumbing.
Your home is only as strong as it’s weakest component. Don’t let paint samples and granite slabs trick you into forgetting about the stuff that keeps your home together.
Quick recap:
- Focus on the structural integrity of your home first.
- Roofing Work → Utilities → Rooms → Cosmetic
- Choose contractors who specialise in specific areas
- Pad your budget by at least fifteen to twenty percent
- Phase your renovation if you cannot complete it all at once
Happy renovating!
