Renovating your home is an exciting but often overwhelming process. Whether you’re updating a single room or planning a full house renovation, knowing where to begin can make all the difference. A clear plan saves you money, time, and stress — and ensures the results match your vision. In this article, we’ll walk you through what to do first when renovating a house, share expert tips, and explain how to avoid common mistakes.
Let’s dive into your home transformation journey! 🛠️✨
🧠 Step 1: Define Your Goals and Budget
Before swinging a hammer, sit down and ask yourself:
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What do I want to achieve?
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What areas need the most attention?
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Am I improving for resale or for personal comfort?
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What’s my total budget?
Set realistic goals and always leave a 10–20% contingency fund for unexpected expenses. This will give you a roadmap and keep you grounded during the process.
🔑 Tip: Consider return on investment (ROI) if you plan to sell the home later. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades typically offer the highest ROI.
🗺️ Step 2: Create a Room-by-Room Plan
List the areas of your home you want to renovate. For each room, outline:
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What needs to be changed?
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What can be reused or restored?
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What’s essential vs. optional?
This helps you prioritize and prevents budget overruns.
Example:
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Kitchen: new countertops, cabinets, lighting.
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Bathroom: new tiles, tub-to-shower conversion.
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Living room: repainting, updated floors.
📋 Pro Tip: Start with the most structurally important spaces first — like the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility rooms.
🧱 Step 3: Inspect the Foundation, Roof, and Systems
Before cosmetic changes, inspect your home’s bones:
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Foundation
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Roof
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Plumbing
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Electrical system
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HVAC
If any of these are outdated or damaged, fix them early. There’s no point installing new flooring if your pipes might burst next month.
🛑 Safety first: Address all structural or electrical issues before starting the fun part of the remodel.
📐 Step 4: Hire Professionals or DIY?
Decide early whether you’ll:
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Hire a general contractor 👷
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Hire specialists for each task (plumber, electrician, carpenter)
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DIY part or all of the remodel 🛠️
Hiring a remodeling company like Easy Remodeling in Chicago can save time and ensure quality — especially for kitchens, bathrooms, and full home renovations. We take care of permits, planning, execution, and clean-up.
📅 Step 5: Get Permits and Approvals
Most major renovations require permits. This includes:
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Structural changes
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Electrical updates
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Plumbing installations
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HVAC modifications
Don’t skip this! Unpermitted work can lead to legal issues, fines, and trouble selling the house in the future.
📞 Tip: If you hire a contractor, they’ll usually handle permits for you.
🧰 Step 6: Demolition and Structural Work
Now the physical work begins. Start with:
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Demolition
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Removing old fixtures, cabinets, and flooring
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Fixing walls, subfloors, and framing
⚠️ Be cautious — demo is loud, dusty, and can uncover hidden issues like mold or water damage. Always use proper protective gear.
🚿 Step 7: Plumbing and Electrical First
After demolition and framing, bring in your plumbers and electricians to:
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Reroute or upgrade pipes
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Install new outlets, switches, and lighting
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Prepare wiring for appliances
This is your chance to future-proof your home with modern electrical systems, energy-efficient lighting, and smart home features.
🧱 Step 8: Walls, Insulation, and Paint
Once the plumbing and wiring are done:
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Install insulation
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Put up drywall
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Sand and smooth the surface
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Prime and paint
Choose moisture-resistant paint for bathrooms and kitchens, and don’t forget ceiling work!
🎨 Tip: Light colors make small rooms feel bigger, while bold accents create personality.
🛋️ Step 9: Flooring, Cabinets, Fixtures
Now your space is taking shape!
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Lay down flooring (tile, wood, laminate)
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Install cabinets and countertops
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Mount plumbing fixtures (faucets, sinks, showerheads)
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Hang lights and ceiling fans
Choose durable, water-resistant materials for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
🪞 Step 10: Final Touches and Cleaning
You’re almost there! Finish with:
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Mirrors, shelves, hardware
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Curtains or blinds
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Smart thermostats or devices
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Deep cleaning
🎉 Don’t forget to walk through your home and check everything works as expected before calling the renovation done.
💡 Bonus Tips for a Smooth Home Remodel
✅ Communicate clearly with your contractors
✅ Order materials in advance to avoid delays
✅ Store furniture or fragile items in a safe place
✅ Stick to your budget — but prepare for surprises
✅ Think long-term and design for flexibility
🔧 Conclusion: Start Smart for a Stress-Free Remodel
Renovating your home is a big project, but if you know where to start — and take it step by step — it becomes much more manageable and even enjoyable.
Whether you’re planning a complete home renovation or just updating a few rooms, start with strong planning and professional help where needed.
If you’re in the Chicago area, trust Easy Remodeling to turn your home dreams into reality. From bathroom remodels to full home makeovers, our experienced team handles it all — with attention to detail, clear pricing, and reliable timelines.
🔨 Ready to start your remodel? Contact us today for a free consultation!
