Home renovation checklist: what to do before you start

Start by deciding what is inside the project and what is not. Renovations become difficult to control when the scope is vague or keeps expanding after work begins.

Write down:

• Which rooms or areas are included
• What will be removed
• What will be repaired
• What will be replaced
• What will stay
• Whether layouts will change
• Whether plumbing or electrical work is involved
• Whether structural work might be needed

Then divide the scope into two groups:

Must have

Work that is essential for the project to succeed.

Nice to have

Improvements you would like to include if budget and time allow.

This distinction is useful later if costs increase or the timeline becomes tighter than expected.

Decide how much you are prepared to spend before you begin choosing finishes and products. Break the budget into meaningful categories rather than keeping only one overall number.

• Contractor work
• Materials
• Fixtures and fittings
• Appliances
• Professional services
• Permits or approvals where applicable
• Delivery and waste removal
• Temporary accommodation if relevant
• Contingency

Your first budget does not need to be perfect. Its purpose is to give you a framework for making decisions and comparing alternatives.

Keep estimates, committed costs and actual costs separate. They answer different questions.

A renovation plan should reflect the home you actually have, not only the home you want to create. Before starting, gather the information that could affect the project. This may include:

• Existing floor plans
• Measurements
• Construction type
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing locations
• Heating systems
• Previous renovations
• Known defects
• Relevant property records
• Warranties
• Manuals

For older properties or substantial work, professional surveys or specialist advice may be appropriate before construction starts.

Put the major phases in the order they need to happen. A typical structure might include:

1. 1Planning and design
2. 2Contractor selection
3. 3Ordering
4. 4Preparation
5. 5Demolition
6. 6Structural and hidden work
7. 7Installation
8. 8Finishing
9. 9Snagging
10. 10Handover

The important part is not the exact labels. It is understanding which activities depend on others.

Read: How to plan a home renovation timeline

Many renovation delays happen because a decision has not been made when a contractor needs it. Identify decisions that need deadlines, for example:

Do not wait until installation day to make decisions that affect earlier work.

A quote should help you understand both the cost and what is actually included. When comparing contractors, look beyond the total price. Check:

• Scope of work
• Materials included
• Exclusions
• Payment schedule
• Estimated start date
• Estimated duration
• Responsibility for waste removal
• Responsibility for ordering
• Warranties or guarantees
• How changes will be handled

If two quotes describe different scopes, comparing only the final number can be misleading.

Do not only decide what you want. Find out when it can arrive. Long-lead items can determine the entire project schedule. Potential examples include:

• Kitchens
• Windows
• Doors
• Custom joinery
• Tiles
• Specialist fittings
• Appliances
• Worktops

Schedule backwards from when the item is needed.

Think about how the renovation will affect the rest of the household. Consider:

• Which areas will remain usable
• Access for contractors
• Where materials can be stored
• Dust protection
• Waste collection
• Parking or delivery access
• Pets and children
• Temporary cooking or washing arrangements
• Valuables and furniture
• Keys and access

A small amount of preparation can remove a surprising amount of daily friction once construction starts.

Before the project becomes busy, decide where you will keep the information everyone will need. This may include:

Scattered information becomes harder to manage as the project grows.

Read: What documents should homeowners keep?