Whole House Renovations: Everything to Know Before You Start

Are you thinking about updating your home? A whole-house renovation can completely change your living space. Unlike fixing just one room, this approach updates most or all of your home at once.

It’s a big project that requires careful planning, but the results can be amazing.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about whole-house renovations – from costs and benefits to step-by-step planning.

If you’re staying put for years or getting ready to sell, understanding the process will help you make smart choices for your home makeover.

What is a Whole House Renovation?

A whole house renovation means updating most of your home at once. When you change at least 50% of your living space, you’re doing a whole house renovation.

This type of project keeps the basic structure of your home intact while making major updates inside.

It’s a good choice if you like your location and the basic layout of your house, but need to refresh many areas to fit your needs and current styles better.

How It’s Different from a Partial Remodel

A whole house renovation is much bigger than fixing up just one room. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• It covers most of your home (at least half of all living space)
• It typically includes work on multiple rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas, all at once
• It might involve changing the layout of rooms or completely gutting certain areas.
• It keeps the main structure of your home intact while updating the inside

Unlike smaller projects that focus on one area, a whole house renovation transforms how your entire home looks, feels, and works. It’s ideal for people who like their location but need major indoor updates.

Is a Whole House Renovation Right for You?

A whole-house remodel makes sense in specific situations. This big commitment of time and money works best when you need major changes to make your home truly work for you.

Before starting such a large project, think about your goals, timeline, and budget. Many homeowners choose whole-house remodels when they need to fix multiple problems at once or want to create a fresh, updated living space that meets their current needs.

When You Love Your Location, Not Your Layout

Many people choose a whole house remodel when they love their neighborhood but find their home’s design no longer works.

If you enjoy your school district, nearby parks, community, or property size, but feel limited by your home’s current layout, a full remodel might be your best option. This lets you stay in the area you love while creating a home that better fits how you live.

A whole house renovation gives you the chance to fix problems like small kitchens, outdated bathrooms, or closed-off rooms without moving to a new location.

Planning for a Growing Family or Multi-Use Needs

Your home needs change as your family does. A whole house remodel helps when you need more bedrooms, want to add home offices, or create space for aging parents.

By looking at your entire home at once, you can plan smartly for current and future needs. You might turn an unused dining room into an office, make a basement into a play area, or add a bedroom suite.

This all-at-once approach lets you create spaces that work together for everyone in your household.

Preparing to Sell vs. Stay Long-Term

Your remodeling goals will differ based on whether you plan to sell soon or stay for years. If you’re preparing to sell, focus on changes that add the most value, like kitchen and bathroom updates, new flooring, and improved curb appeal.

The Remodeling 2023 Cost vs. Value Report shows that projects like updating HVAC systems, replacing garage doors, and adding stone to exteriors often return 95% or more of their cost.

If you’re staying long-term, your choices should focus more on what makes the home work best for your specific needs and tastes.

Step-by-Step Whole Home Renovation Process

A whole home renovation follows a logical sequence that helps the project stay on track and minimize wasted time or resources. Understanding each phase enables you to know what to expect and how to plan accordingly.

Here’s how the typical renovation unfolds, from initial planning to the final details.

Step 1 – Define Your Design Goals

Start by creating a clear vision for your project. Think about how you want to use each space in your home and what’s not working now. Make a list of must-have changes versus nice-to-have items.

Consider if you’re renovating for yourself long-term or for resale value. Look at design websites and magazines to gather ideas, and think about your daily routines to make sure the new layout will work for your lifestyle. Having a solid plan before starting will guide all later decisions.

Step 2 – Set a Realistic Budget

Determine how much you can afford to spend on your renovation. Research typical costs for whole-home renovations in your area, which, according to industry data, might range from $17,700 to $79,400.

Add a 10-20% buffer for unexpected issues that almost always come up during major renovations.

Explore financing options like cash, home equity loans, credit cards for smaller purchases, or government-subsidized Home Improvement Program loans. Being clear about your financial limits will help guide material and design choices throughout the project.

Step 3 – Hire the Right Contractor

Finding a good contractor is crucial for your project’s success. Ask friends and family for recommendations based on personal experience, or search online and read reviews.

Interview multiple contractors and get detailed written estimates from each. Check their licenses, insurance, and past work examples. Make sure they handle permits and have experience with whole-home renovations.

The right contractor will help refine your vision, suggest cost-saving alternatives, and manage the complex scheduling of various subcontractors throughout your project.

Step 4 – Demo and Structural Work

This phase starts with removing what’s no longer needed – tearing out old cabinets, flooring, walls, and fixtures. Your contractor will haul away demolished materials and begin rebuilding the main structures of your home.

If your renovation includes changing the layout, this is when walls come down or new ones go up. Support beams might be added if load-bearing walls are removed.

At this stage, your home will look worse before it gets better, but this groundwork sets the stage for all the finishing touches to come.

Step 5 – Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC

Once the basic structure is in place, work begins on the systems that run through your walls. Electricians will update wiring for new lighting, outlets, and appliances.

Plumbers will run new water lines and drains for sinks, showers, and toilets. HVAC specialists will modify or install heating and cooling systems. These updates often require inspections and must meet current building codes.

Though this work will mostly be hidden inside walls later, investing in quality updates now prevents future problems and increases your home’s value.

Step 6 – Install Walls, Floors, and Fixtures

After the “behind the walls” work passes inspection, your home starts to take shape visually. Drywall goes up and gets painted. Flooring is installed throughout the house.

Cabinets, countertops, and built-ins are secured in place. Bathroom fixtures like tubs, showers, and toilets are installed. Lighting fixtures, switches, and outlet covers are added.

This phase transforms the raw construction site back into recognizable living spaces and typically takes the longest amount of time to complete.

Step 7 – Final Touches and Furnishings

The last phase brings your home to life with final details. Paint touch-ups, trim work, and hardware installation wrap up the construction portion. Then comes cleaning, moving in furniture, hanging window treatments, and adding decorative elements.

Your contractor will do a final walkthrough with you to create a “punch list” of any small items that need fixing or finishing. Once these are addressed, you can fully enjoy your newly renovated home, with all rooms working together in a cohesive design.

DIY or Hire Pros?

When planning a whole home renovation, you’ll need to decide which tasks to handle yourself and which require professional expertise. This decision affects your budget, timeline, and the quality of the final results.

Most successful renovations use a mix of DIY work and professional contractors based on skill level and project complexity.

What’s Safe to DIY

Some renovation tasks are reasonable for homeowners with basic skills and tools. Painting walls is often a good DIY project that can save money.

Homeowners willing to put in physical effort can also handle demolition work, such as tearing out old cabinets, removing carpet, or tearing down non-structural walls.

Many homeowners can also manage debris removal with a rented dumpster. Simple cosmetic updates like changing hardware, installing shelving, or basic landscaping are also suitable for DIY.

What to Leave to Professionals

Complex systems in your home require specialized knowledge and skills. Plumbing changes beyond simple fixture swaps should be left to licensed plumbers to prevent leaks and water damage.

Electrical work carries safety risks and must meet code requirements, making it best for certified electricians. Structural changes like removing walls or changing layouts need professional assessment to avoid compromising your home’s integrity.

HVAC work requires specific tools and knowledge of systems. For whole-home renovations, having a professional contractor coordinate the overall project ensures proper sequencing and quality control.

Costs Involved in a Whole House Renovation

A whole house renovation represents a major financial commitment. According to sources, the average cost ranges from $17,700 to $79,400, with most projects averaging around $48,600. This breaks down to roughly $10 to $150 per square foot, depending on the scope of work.

Different rooms have varying costs based on complexity – kitchens and bathrooms typically cost more due to plumbing and electrical requirements, while bedrooms and living spaces are less expensive. Pricing is also affected by your location, the age of your home, and your choice of materials.

Kitchen

The kitchen often represents the biggest expense in a whole-house remodel. Costs typically range from $14,600 to $40,000, depending on the extent of changes. This room costs more because it includes expensive items like cabinets, countertops, and appliances.

A kitchen update might involve new flooring, lighting fixtures, plumbing for sinks and dishwashers, and electrical work for appliances. The size of your kitchen and the quality of materials you select can significantly impact the final price.

Bathroom

Bathroom renovations generally cost between $6,700 and $28,000. These spaces require specialized work, including plumbing for toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs.

Tile work, vanities, fixtures, and proper ventilation all add to the cost. Many homeowners in Washington, DC are adding luxury features like heated floors and spa-like elements, which can increase the price. The number of bathrooms you’re updating will also affect your total renovation budget.

Living Room

Living room renovations are usually less expensive than kitchens and bathrooms, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. These spaces typically involve simpler updates like new flooring, paint, lighting fixtures, and trim work.

The size of the room and any built-in features (like bookcases or entertainment centers) will impact the cost. Since living rooms don’t usually require plumbing work, they’re often more straightforward to remodel.

Bedrooms

Bedroom renovations are among the more affordable aspects of a whole house remodel, typically costing between $1,500 and $5,500 per room. These spaces usually need cosmetic updates like new flooring, paint, lighting, and closet improvements.

Master bedrooms with attached bathrooms will cost significantly more if you’re updating both spaces. The number and size of bedrooms in your home will multiply these costs in your total budget.

Basement

Basement renovations offer great potential for adding usable living space to your home. These projects vary widely in cost depending on whether the space is already finished and what you plan to include.

Creating entertainment areas, home theaters, bars, playrooms, or guest suites all have different price points. Basement renovations also often require addressing moisture issues, adding proper insulation, and ensuring adequate lighting in a naturally darker space.

Pros and Cons of Renovating All at Once

Deciding whether to tackle your whole house at once or room by room is an important choice. Both approaches have valid benefits and challenges. Your decision will depend on your budget, timeline, and how much disruption you can handle during the renovation process.

Pros

Taking on your entire home at once offers several key advantages that make the initial effort worthwhile. Consider these benefits when planning your renovation:

• Cost savings in the long run.
• Cohesive design.
• Faster overall timeline.
• More efficient use of contractors.
• Less total disruption to your life.
• Better coordination between different project areas.

Cons

While renovating everything at once has benefits, it also comes with significant challenges you should prepare for. Think carefully about these potential downsides:

• Higher upfront cost.
• May need to move out temporarily.
• Planning is more complex.
• More decisions are required all at once.
• Greater risk if problems arise.
• Harder to make changes mid-project.

Tips for a Successful Whole Home Renovation

A smooth renovation requires careful planning and good management. These practical tips can help you avoid common problems and keep your project moving forward efficiently.

• Get everything in writing.
• Be flexible with timelines.
• Communicate regularly with your contractor.
• Think ahead about your daily needs.
• Create a clear decision-making process.
• Plan for unexpected costs.
• Make material selections early.
• Keep a photo record of the process.
• Stay focused on your original goals.
• Consider temporary housing options.

Conclusion

A whole house renovation is a big project that can transform your living space completely. Whether you stay in your home during the work or move out temporarily, the result can be worth the effort.

By understanding the costs, planning carefully, and working with the right professionals, you can create a home that meets your needs for years to come. Remember to set a realistic budget, communicate clearly with your contractor, and stay flexible when challenges arise.

With proper planning and patience, your newly renovated home will provide comfort, functionality, and enjoyment for you and your family.