How to plan a comprehensive renovation and avoid surprises

Embarking on a complete home renovation is an exciting process, but we also know that it involves a significant investment of time and money. To ensure that your renovation project runs smoothly, the key is to start with careful planning. Understanding how to plan a complete renovation from start to finish is the first step in ensuring that the end result fits your schedule and, above all, your budget.

Although the entire process of renovating a home can take between three and six months on average to complete, depending on its size and complexity, taking the time to prepare properly at the outset will save you problems and unexpected costs.

The secret to success: Knowing how to plan a comprehensive renovation

The initial month (or more) of your project should focus exclusively on planning, the most critical phase. Hire a renovation studio such as Studio by Clikalia to manage the design and budget is a safe option, but if you want, you can also start this process yourself.

Set a realistic maximum budget

The most important aspect of any planning is ensuring that you have sufficient funding to cover the project. Deciding on a maximum budget is key when planning a comprehensive renovation.

Define your limit and detail it: Set a maximum amount that you are not willing to exceed. We recommend using a spreadsheet, such as Excel, to list all the desired and necessary items, and to keep an efficient record of expenses.
Estimate labor costs: A generally accurate calculation is to expect labor to represent between 20% and 40% of the total cost of your budget. But if you have no experience, we recommend that this item be handled by a specialized and experienced renovation company.
Set aside a contingency fund: It is crucial to include a contingency fund, especially if you are planning the project yourself. Set aside between 10% and 20% of the budget for contingencies, especially if the work is complex. Problems such as leaks, damp, faulty wiring, or damaged foundations often arise during the early stages, such as demolition or the installation of utilities.

Having a renovation company that provides coverage and has hundreds of renovations under its belt, such as Studio by Clikalia, will take this problem off your mind and out of your budget.

Defining the scope and priorities of the project

Before requesting quotes, you must be very clear about what you want to achieve. This involves identifying your needs, priorities, and the significance of your renovation.

Assess and measure: Conduct a thorough assessment of each space and measure all walls and corners. Determine which spaces require urgent intervention.
Define the style: Having a clear vision of the design and decorative style (modern, classic, etc.) will help you make consistent decisions throughout the process.
Prioritize rooms: If you have to renovate in stages, prioritize key areas that impact your daily life, such as the kitchen or main bathroom.
Permits and licenses: Legal requirements vary depending on location, so it is essential to find out about the permits and licenses applicable in your province. Be sure to include administrative fees and associated professional fees in your budget. And as we mentioned earlier, a renovation company that handles the management of licenses and permits will save you a lot of work and hassle.

The strategic selection of professionals

Once you know what you want, you need to determine who will do the work. The old saying "cheap is expensive" is especially true when it comes to renovations.

Be honest with DIY: Make a list of the jobs you can and want to tackle yourself (DIY) versus those that require a professional. Be honest about your abilities; attempting specialized jobs such as tiling without experience may result in having to hire someone later to fix the mess, which could cause your budget to skyrocket. Tasks such as plumbing, electrical work, or air conditioning are clear examples of jobs that should only be done by professionals.
Request and compare: Ask for at least two different quotes for each phase or for the entire project.
Study all proposals: Choose professionals or renovation companies such as Studio by Clikalia that are legally compliant and have proven experience in the specific work you are hiring them for. It is essential to have a complete team you can trust that offers all the necessary guarantees.

The implementation roadmap: Key steps in your comprehensive renovation

Familiarizing yourself with the logical sequence of the work is essential to knowing how to plan a comprehensive renovation step by step and manage deadlines. A complete fictional project could take around three months.

Demolition and dismantling phase

Once you have your plan and team of professionals ready, begin demolition. This phase includes tearing down structures and removing debris.

Waste management: You will probably need to rent a large container and apply for a public road occupancy permit from your local council. A container speeds up the work and keeps the area clean.
Safety: For safety reasons, we always recommend that you delegate these tasks to a professional or renovation company.

Hidden installations: Electricity, plumbing, and air conditioning

When the space is "empty," the installers come on the scene. This stage is vital because all the work that will be hidden under the floor or behind the walls is carried out.

Detailed design: Before starting this step, you should have a very clear diagram or plan. Think about where the appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher) will go, the lighting points, and the number and location of outlets needed. All of this should be discussed in advance with your contractor.
Inspection: If the property is old, professionals will inspect and rebuild the wiring and plumbing to ensure that the systems are up to date and comply with regulations.

Construction, coatings, and final finishes

Once the installations are complete, the space is rebuilt.

Walls and partitions: Building walls and plastering usually takes about a week.
Flooring: Continue with the installation of the flooring, regardless of the material you choose.
Painting: Painting can take a week. If you need to sand the parquet later, keep in mind that dust could stick to the fresh paint, so this step could be moved to the end.
Fixed elements and doors: Next, the built-in elements (cabinets, lighting, bathtubs, toilets) and key kitchen components are installed. Simultaneously, or afterwards, windows and doors are installed. It is crucial to install doors before laying floating parquet or carpet to ensure that they open and close freely without any problems.
Project completion: The final tasks include moldings, frames, and baseboards. Finally, a general cleaning is carried out to remove any dust residue and leave the property ready for the furniture and decorations to be moved in.

Knowing how to plan a comprehensive renovation involves not only understanding the sequence of work, but also maintaining open and constant communication with professionals. A weekly meeting with the site manager helps to track progress and avoid misunderstandings.

In any case, as we have mentioned throughout this blog post, we always recommend that you hire a renovation company to carry out all phases of the renovation. Even if you think you can save a lot of money, doing it yourself will most likely end up costing you more and requiring a significant investment of time.

That's why we encourage you to request a renovation proposal from Studio by Clikalia if you have a renovation in mind . We will prepare a free, no-obligation quote in record time so that the renovation you've been dreaming of for so long can become a reality.