Renovating a house is an exciting time, whether you’re turning a historic building into your dream home or flipping a house. But when you get into the details, it can also feel overwhelming — especially if you’ve never completed one before. That’s why you need to plan your remodel well in advance. Use our tips for planning a home renovation to keep your worries at bay and your job on track.

8 Planning Steps to Renovating a House

With our ultimate home renovation guide, you’ll be able to tackle every step with ease, from setting a budget for your fixer-upper to preparing for interior renovations.

1. Build a Detailed Home Remodel Plan

When to start: 6 to 12 months before your start date

Planning is key for renovating a house without experience. Outline the work, state your goals, share design ideas with contractors, and specify which rooms to renovate or leave untouched.

Your project plan should also include:

A list of steps you plan to DIY

A list of steps you plan to hire a professional for

• Do I have experience with this general category of DIY work?
• Do I understand everything I’m being told to do when I look up tutorials?
• Do I know how to complete all the smaller tasks that make up the project as a whole?
• Do I know how to use all the necessary tools?
• Do I know how to work with all the necessary materials?
• Do I have enough time to complete this project on my own without rushing the job?
• Do I have friends or family I can count on to help me if I need extra sets of hands?

If you answered no to more than a couple of those questions, then your planned project is likely beyond your current skill level. Instead of forging ahead and causing yourself a long string of headaches and wasted dollars, it’s time to call in a pro.

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2. Take Time to Research Permits

When to start: 6 to 12 months before your start date

Early in planning your home renovation, check local zoning laws and permit requirements. Ensure your remodel is allowed in your area and confirm if a permit is needed, especially for structural changes or room repurposing, by contacting city officials.

3. Set a Budget for Your Project

When to start: 6 to 12 months before your start date

Next, set your home renovation budget, covering permits, materials, labor, and cosmetic details. If costs exceed your budget, adjust your plan by cutting lower-priority items and compare estimates from multiple contractors to find the best fit.

4. Hire Contractors

When to start: 6 to 12 months before your start date

After planning your remodel and setting a budget, hire your team. Decide which tasks you’ll handle and which to outsource, contacting contractors early as some may have waitlists up to 12 months. Ask friends and family for referrals, then use the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s website to find certified local contractors. Build a list and evaluate their qualifications based on experience, licensing, insurance, references, and online reviews—not just cost. Discuss payment terms upfront, avoiding full upfront payments, and prioritize contractors you trust, even if it costs more.

5. Decide Which Projects You’ll Tackle First

When planning your home remodel, prioritize projects wisely. Start with messy, large-scale improvements to avoid future issues, then focus on smaller details. Consult your contractor to align plans, as the remodel order impacts crew scheduling for different tasks.

Pro Tip

For organization, use a calendar to plan each step of your remodeling project. Confirm with your team that your timeline is realistic and keeps you within budget. here’s how long it typically takes to renovate each room of your home.

Kitchen: 6 to 12 weeks

Bathroom: 3 to 10 weeks

Room Addition: 12 to 20 weeks

Basement: 4 to 8 weeks

Flooring: 1 to 3 weeks

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6. Set a Timeline for Your Project

Two to three months before your start date, establish a timeline. Pick a start date and, if aiming for a specific completion, work backward. Consult contractors to estimate task durations, prioritizing steps and identifying which can overlap.

7. Plan for Problems When Remodeling

Two to three months before starting, anticipate setbacks. Reserve extra budget and time to handle surprises, reducing stress and costs. Consider common renovation challenges as you plan.

8. Prepare for Your Renovation

Plan two to three months ahead and pack up one to two weeks before starting. Prep the first room, avoiding use during construction. Living in the home depends on the project scope—less relevant if flipping for sale. Ready each room before work begins.