A home renovation checklist is essential for organizing and guiding a renovation process. It helps to determine the worth of a house renovation and helps to make the process as close as possible. To start renovating a house, it is important to consider how you use your house and whether you plan to renovate for profit or transform it into a family home.
To start renovating a house, follow these steps: 1) Identify your remodel goals, 2) Find and assess your project, 3) Complete the deal, 4) Create a schedule of works, and 5) Renovate house.
The general order of operations for a whole home remodel includes planning and design, demolition, rebuilding/framing, mechanicals/plumbing/HVAC/electrical, walls, flooring, cabinets, and appliances. A step-by-step home renovation checklist includes building a detailed plan, setting a budget, hiring contractors, and following a 19-step process.
There are also 10 common steps to effective whole house remodels: 1) Setting your goals, 2) Creating a budget, 3) Gathering inspiration and ideas, 4) Hiring the right contractor, and 5) Packing up and preparing.
In summary, a home renovation checklist is essential for organizing and guiding a renovation process. It helps to identify your house goals, determine the scope of the project, plan the timeline, and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to achieve the desired outcome.
📹 My 20 Steps To A Perfect Renovation
In this video I’m talking about renovation order and the steps that you need to take to be successful with your project. There are …
How long does full house renovation take?
Whole-house remodeling typically takes 4-6 months, assuming the homeowner is not living in the house during the project. A contractor should provide an accurate and honest answer based on the specifics of the project, rather than simply stating the duration. To provide this answer, homeowners should know the necessary steps of the renovation project, which add up to a comprehensive timeline. This helps them develop realistic expectations about the project’s duration and better manage their daily life while the project is underway.
To see an example of a specific project, click on the thumbnail image to the right, which has been removed to keep the actual project anonymous. By understanding the timeline, homeowners can develop better expectations and better manage their daily life during the renovation process.
What comes first when remodeling a house?
The first step in remodeling a house is demolition, which requires the right permits and involves safe practices such as removing drywall, studs, water lines, baseboards, nails, and toilets. Framing new walls requires expertise from a contractor and is crucial for the stability of the home. Shortcuts and poor-quality work can lead to issues. After demolishing and framing, the focus is on the HVAC unit, which is essential for improved livability, efficiency, and comfort. Professionals must handle the installation to ensure it meets the code at every turn.
How do you sequence a home renovation?
The general order of operations for a whole home remodel is planning and design, demolition, rebuilding/framing, mechanicals/plumbing/HVAC/electrical, walls, flooring, cabinets, and appliances. This project is not for the faint of heart, as it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many homeowners. To help homeowners understand the process better, a general whole home renovation checklist has been developed. The checklist includes the general steps to follow, such as planning and designing, demolition, rebuilding/framing, mechanicals/plumbing/HVAC/electrical, walls, flooring, cabinets, and appliances.
The checklist should include items such as cabinets, appliances, walls, flooring, cabinets, and appliances. By following these steps, homeowners can better plan and organize their renovation, ensuring a successful and enjoyable experience.
Is 100k enough to renovate a house?
$100, 000 can cover significant renovations in a home with strategic planning and prioritization. Upgrades to the kitchen, bathroom, and living room can be achievable within this budget. However, the cost depends on the renovation goals, material costs, labor charges, and aims like energy efficiency or curb appeal. Careful budgeting, considering renovation timelines, and exploring financing options can maximize the budget. Balancing aesthetic wishes with practical necessities may require expert advice.
Understanding the complexities of housing renovation costs is crucial to manage your $100, 000 budget effectively. Renovation financing options include home equity loans, personal loans, and government-backed renovation loans. It’s essential to consider your financial situation and renovation scope before making a decision.
What are the most expensive parts of a renovation?
The kitchen, bathroom, basement, and other entertainment areas are the most expensive parts of a home remodel. These areas can transform a living space into a more functional and aesthetically pleasing environment, but it also requires a significant financial investment. Understanding which part of a remodel is the most expensive can help homeowners plan and budget more effectively. Structural changes and repairs, particularly those involving the foundation, are the most costly.
Repairing or reinforcing a foundation can be expensive due to its complexity and the need for professional expertise. Removing or altering load-bearing walls requires professional expertise and can increase costs. Replacing or repairing a roof is another high-cost area, especially if there is significant damage or high-quality materials are used. Lastly, changes to the home’s exterior, such as new siding or windows, can be costly due to the materials and labor involved.
What part of my house should I remodel first?
The kitchen is a crucial area for home remodeling, as it serves as the heart of the home, where family and friends gather for cooking, eating, and socializing. A well-renovated kitchen can significantly increase a home’s value and appeal to potential buyers. Renovations can range from simple updates like painting cabinets and replacing countertops to more extensive ones like rearranging the layout or installing new appliances.
Regardless of the extent, updating the kitchen can create a more functional and enjoyable space for cooking and entertaining. The bathroom, whether a master suite, guest bathroom, or powder room, should provide comfort and functionality.
How to plan a full house renovation?
The article provides a comprehensive guide to effective whole house remodels, focusing on the steps involved in the process. It emphasizes the importance of setting goals, creating a budget, gathering inspiration, hiring the right subcontractors, developing a detailed plan, considering functionality and efficiency, selecting materials and finishes carefully, and effectively communicating the process. The guide is applicable to both single and multifamily home renovations, aiming to guide clients through the process with confidence and exceed their expectations.
It also warns against potential home renovation nightmares such as going over budget or leaving homeowners unsatisfied. The guide is a valuable resource for those planning a successful renovation project.
What are the 5 stages of home renovation?
Planning, budgeting, demolition, construction, and cleanup are five stages in a home renovation project. Staying involved in each stage, especially when selecting building products, is crucial for staying on track and on budget. Eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances, windows, and lighting can help reduce waste. A 492 square foot remodel added a new master suite to a three-bedroom ranch home, replacing a small rear bedroom.
To stay organized, decide on the project’s size and style, and create a list of “must-have” features and products. Sticking to this list is crucial for staying on budget and on schedule. Even minor changes, like choosing faucets, can cause delays if the product needs to be ordered or doesn’t fit the chosen sink.
How much should you spend on home renovations?
In order to ascertain an appropriate remodeling budget, it is essential to consider the overall value of the home in question. It is then prudent to limit spending to a maximum of 10 to 15 percent of the property’s worth on a single room. It is possible that expenditures in excess of the recommended limits may not yield proportional increases in the value of the renovation. For example, if the value of the property in question is $100, 000, the maximum expenditure that can be incurred on a kitchen or bathroom renovation is $15, 000. In the event that the value of the property in question exceeds the aforementioned valuation, the financial outlay may be greater.
Is $100 000 enough to renovate a house?
The average cost of gut and remodeling a house is $100, 000-$200, 000, with prices per square foot ranging from $60-$150. This includes new plumbing, appliances, structural improvements, a new roof, and HVAC. Interior demolition costs between $1, 000- $5, 000, with costs ranging from $2-$10 per square foot. A bedroom renovation costs $20, 000, including labor, materials, inspections, and construction.
The average cost for a bedroom renovation is between $4, 000-$40, 000, with an average estimate of $100 per square foot. The total cost of a house renovation depends on the square footage and the specific needs of the project.
📹 10 HOME RENOVATION TIPS for DIYers & Beginners *What I Wish I Knew Before* | XO, MaCenna
After 4 months of owning a renovating a house ourselves, we have learned a few things along the way that I wish I knew before …
You are so good at this, and by “this” I mean, the renovation, your skills at presenting, your editing skills, all of it. I can totally see you with your own tv show and I will be there for it. Love your website and all you do. Thank you for entertaining me, I’m loving it and can’t wait to see what unfolds next. Love from the UK. xx
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate Macenna’s passion and work ethic?! GURL you are so spontaneous, creative, hardworking giving us all the content on your main website and vlog website while in the process of renovating your house?! Props to you and so excited for the upcoming intermission of thrift flips and room decor 🙂
🚨As someone who lives In an old house, make sure you check the main house for any and all holes that could allow insects, snakes, or mice in!! It’s rat snake season, and they’re making their ways indoors!! (We had three that made their way into the house, and our house is about the same age as yours!😭)
When my husband and I were renovating our home, we (he) decided to do the wooden floors ourselves – sanding, staining, finishing. Oh my gosh, it was such a disaster. We wasted so much time, money, energy and went through hours and hours bent over on our hands and knees doing back breaking work and in the end, we gave up 🙁 We got floating floorboards put over the top as we had really messed up our floors. It was a big lesson for us and we wish we had researched much better and had just hired a pro from the beginning and then tackled an easier project for ourselves. T’was the great floor debacle of 2019!
MaCenna, you are one of my favorite humans ever! It so funny you mentioned about how you have had your moments of stress and tears because I was literally just thinking about your articles like yesterday and how stressful it must be but you never let it show! You are always so positive and Inspiring! I watch every single one of you articles! Thanks for all you do! ❤️
I had been dreaming about renovating my kitchen for years. Then we finally were able to do it and I started freaking out inside because I was thinking what do I want! I went back and forth with dark and moody or white and airy. Pinterest was my friend to figure out what I chose. I went with dark and moody and I love it!
You can also sell or let others salvage stuff that you don’t want. It stops it going to landfill and reduces your waste disposal costs. I managed to sell a 20 year old basic builder grade kitchen, plus saved the cost of a skip to dump it in. We also were happy for “skip divers” to help themselves to old radiators and windows. It freed up more space for us
This is awesome that u are choosing to DIY a lot !!! I’m a super DIYer too!! Thank u so much for sharing this!! I have built a small home before with the help of the guy I was with at the time. He was experienced in almost everything he needed to be to do it, and show me how to do it correctly! Also another feeling that makes it worth it is the connection to ur house u get, like the house and u are bonding when u do the work on it… plus u now know every little detail about what went into the house such as where u ran the wire for electric power or the pipes for the plumbing.
Sundays aren’t complete without your article! Was waiting for it the whole day and got low key worried about you, please take real good care of yourself, I can’t even imagine how tiring renovating a house must be, let alone vlog about it! As much as I love your content, your health is much more important! Thank you for taking us along on this lovely journey. ❤
Back in the 1960s when my folks were building their house my brother and me helped our folks do tons of work on the inside such as sanding trim and molding and baseboards and doors and wood floors. We stained the floors and paneling and did the varnish on all things wooden. Working together as a family saved money but what it meant to us as a family was far more valuable. I’m sure that you all have discovered this truth in doing your renovations. The results will stand the test of time and become bonus prizes one day should you still have the house and your family no longer be around. Memories are golden. I wish you and your family the best of times with good health and safety and happiness. …I richly enjoy your website. Thank you.
Love love love the series! It is original, you are so nice and so passionate! Really love the energy. We (me and my husband) bought an apartment two years ago and little by little (renos) is becoming our house… so you are so inspiring even if your house is 110 years old an my home only 40! XOXO from Italy!
Love your article’s!! Lots of really good info happening! It’s REALLY NICE to see you saving ALL that you can from the house & re-using it! With wood prices sky high, that’s a HUGE savings. Not to mention, the wood used to originally build the house is soooo much different than what we have now! Your a girl after my own heart. Love old houses!!!
I’m about to start demo on a major renovation (kitchen and primary bed/bath) and it’s all about planning!! I was so lucky to have a designer friend who put my vision on paper for me and tweaked it over and over again! Also, shopping around for plumbing fixtures/tile/etc. I had picked out a bunch of tile samples that I was mulling over for the bathroom and I happened to go to Lowe’s and see some almost identical tile at about a 1/4 the price! So now I have a literal ton of tile out in my backyard shed waiting for the reno to begin and I saved so much money!! (Which of course now needs to be diverted to offset sky-high lumber prices!)
This article is so informative and helpful..me and my husband just sold our second home..and planning to buy a property to build our own dream home.. we’ve already have our eyes on one..waiting for the owner to respond.. but it takes ages.. starting to give up tbh..your new series couldn’t hv come up at a better time to lift up my hope once again. Thank you so much 🥰🥰
We’ve bought our next home and moved in March. Making progress with a full renovation but boy it’s hard! A lot of mess at the moment and moments of desperation but we know it will all be worth it in the end. I agree that it’s taking each day as it comes. We’ve tried to cover a lot of the work ourselves to save on cost which has helped massively. It’s always hard knowing whether to do one room at a time or the whole house. Looking back I wish we’d started one room at a time (too late now!) Especially as contractors are fully booked for several months if not a year away. Just enjoying the process and remembering to walk before we can run. This renovation isn’t a sprint and it will get there eventually. (Too impatient!) Loved the vlog and can’t wait to see future ones x
This was such a good article, we watch all your physical hard work and Planning, I have done some chick with power tools building and between exhaustion,stress of what you dreamed of,the road blocks,I looked at you and I thought she is stronger than I . the gratification of doing it yourself is a high,BUT you have to be able to re invent yours plans at any given moment, SO yes there are tears,second guessing and collapse. After rest,food a bath and some sleep, You are ready to inch by inch getter done! This is a Great series !! Thank you.
So you mention defining your style, which your article you tagged really helped me. My challenge is finding key words and good sources online for inspiration. My personal favourite is ‘eclectic’, but when you search ‘eclectic interior design’, you get celebrities with kookie houses, or boho rooms that steal from other styles but in a way that frankly doesn’t work. Any tips or ideas on keywords and good places to look?
I’ve been perusal you for while (years) and I love your vision. Had I found it 30 years ago you and I would be besties. I’m now 62 and try to incorporate your ideas. We are in no whey moving to a new cottage but your inspiration encourages me to rethink. I love your vision Girl go with it…I’m along for the ride.
Excellent article and my favorite of all of your articles. One thing I might add is that it’s good to take note of all electrical outlets, cable outlets, phone, alarm systems and electrical boxes when you first move in, so when you need to reroute your cable three years later (like us), you’ll know what you’re working with. ha! Other than that, I’d say you were on point with all the pointers, especially the trash pick up, we ALSO had no idea. First-time homeowners here. 🙂
As someone with a contractor husband and have been active in different jobs with clients, it’s important when building/ renovating a home to be sure of what you want… people become difficult when they’re indecisive or do not say anything until the contractor is done with what you originally asked for… then they want it 2in higher or more to the left or whatever it is, sometimes this requires the contractor to demo and start again or try refigure a way around the work they just did for you… The amount of times that has happened on jobs is ridiculous so don’t be afraid to talk and work with your contractor!! I totally agree with you of the importance of being involved with the build and what you want but also I can’t stress enough in being sure of what design, dimensions, plans etc on what it is you are wanting… We need to remember these contractors are people, with the time and talents going into your homes so working with them in a understanding manner is super important!! Your fireplace details tip is absolutely perfect!! It’s everything you are wanting and I’m sure your contractor would appreciate that!! I love perusal your articles and how super informative they are!! Can’t wait to see what lies ahead for the rest of the remodeling journey!! Thank you, MaCenna you couldn’t have said it any better 🙏 🤍 you are amazing!!! We’re cheering for you!!
And I think number 11 would have to be PATIENCE and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE which MaCenna you seem to have in droves & is so nice to watch – your beautiful mama too! You make it look fun. I get that it’s not always that way but I find it motivating – so thank you! Thoroughly been enjoying taking this journey with you, Romeo, your fam & Kinsley ♥ Frankly, I am overweight, smoke, live on the third floor of a beautiful pre war apt – circa 1926 – arched doorway, hardwoods & all. I am doing my best to draw inspiration to get thru depression to purge, organize & repaint my whole apt by myself. I have done so before at a different time, in a different body & not so caught up in this nasty smoking habit! It’s really disgusting… But I’m slowly coming out of an almost 3yr depression. And I am actually making progress = a long time coming but for sure thanks to you & a few other homemaking websites here on YT! You guys & this community have really helped me! So thank you again. It’s clear from the comments section…in case you had any doubt… that all your hard work is not only helping you but inspiring so many others as well!
What a fantastic article. I am truly enjoying this series! I don’t know what’s more awesome: the progress being made on the house, or the personal transformation it is bringing out in you. It is so apparent how much this project means to you, and how much it is helping you in experience and confidence. perusal you demo a whole kitchen or reframe it WITH YOUR BARE HANDS, i couldn’t help but think, “Wow, she’s come so far from just hot gluing rattan on a flower pot.” You should be SO PROUD of yourself. 🖤
I have renovated three houses through the years. Best deal I ever made was to swap skills. The carpenter company needed a new website and since I could offer them my skills in that area, we swapped skills. They got a new website, I got my place renovated and only had to do the finishing touches myself. Now, I don’t know how you go about these things tax wise in the US. But I’m sure you can find equally creative ways to such win/win situations.
Love perusal your journey!! We are renovating our second old home. It’s such a process, there are moments of extreme reward, overwhelm, and “What have I gotten myself into?!”. It’s so worth it though. We are also documenting our journey which has brought on a whole new level of motivation. If you’re thinking of renovating an old home keep in mind that nothing is ever square or level and all renovations will take twice as long and cost double but don’t let it stop you. The reward is exhilarating and you’ll be reeling for the next project!
Love you and love your website. I cannot wait to see the finished house(s). My husband and I started our home renovation in October of last year and we have just finished the inside. We have been living in the house since January but didn’t have but one functioning bathroom and no kitchen. We made it work and I’m completely in love with how it turned out. We still have a lot to do in the outside with landscaping and building a building but we are waiting until the lumber prices come down to build it. The landscaping should be happing soon but we are still thinking through some options. I hope you are doing well and I am looking forward to see all your inspirations come to life in the house.
I would like to add that when buying a house, also check the parcels of land and if you have the size you are supposed to. When my son bought his house, there was two other lots that used to be with the house lot. The realtor pointed that out to us. And we then had to find out (after closing) who the other lots belonged to. To get the full size of lot that was listed and he was supposed to get. Was about a half acre difference And also if the taxes are homesteaded or not. You pay more if not, which means you won’t live on the property, like you renting out the house. Hope this helps someone. ❤️❤️❤️❤️Love all your articles MaCenna!, ! And your so empowering for all people to be able to do it themselves. Thank you so much for that.😊❤️.
I have been saving ideas on Pinterest for my future home and these are some that I really love. If you are painting your doors and/or baseboards; spray them; don’t brush them. You get a smoother finish and when it comes time to clean your baseboards; it will be infinitely easier. Create a wood or metal shallow cabinet next to your toilet between the studs to hold your toilet brush and plunger. Eliminate something unsightly. If you need one an outlet in the middle of the family room for lights on an end table and don’t want cords running across the floor; ask your electrician how to add those before finishing your flooring. Also consider where you can use outlets with USB ports (kitchen, family room, bedroom nightstands, etc.) Figure out where your wall mounted tv’s will go and ask your electrician how they can hide the wires in the wall. Is your coffee bar going to have a tiny sink/faucet? If not; you might consider one so you aren’t constantly having to go to the kitchen sink to get water or clean up. When planning your cabinets, consider pieces that offer space for broom and mop. And if you can’t reach the top of your upper cabinets, they have folding steps that are integrated into your base cabinets that blend seamlessly. Lastly; any cabinet that has a deep shelf; make it a pullout. Things get lost or forgotten in the back. Future article suggestion: How to research and interview prospective contractors, plumbers, etc. Getting the “wrong” one can lead to costly mistakes. Love all you do; sorry this is so long; I share your love of DIY and having specific wants!
🌓Hey sweetie how are you doing? ( THIS IS A REPOST FROM YOUR OTHER article) wasn’t sure if you saw it, however was so happy to see my notification of your article, this was so cool to be able to volunteer in a wonderful store that you love shopping and that the owners are lovely as well. This will bring more business to their store and that’s such a blessing and a very kind act of giving to help them. You are such a beautiful soul and I pray the more amazing doors open up for you. Also I was wondering if you thought about one of my ideas I mentioned for a article, if there could be a guys vs gals diy challenge and it would be DIYs that maybe you would be use in your cottage, and you can make up how much you can spend, where you can go, the time frame you are allotted to make your DIYs and allow us to vote on YT and your IG. You can come up a prize for the winner. You would of course not know what the other challengers are doing until the end, so maybe you can pull from a hat or something. I think that would be cool. Tell what you think. Also thanks for doing this article, this article is so vital especially right now, supplies are so expensive and I’m glad you explained your process to help those that need options.Thanks so much for all that you do and I’m so proud of you, have a wonderful day.🙋🏾♀️💕🦋
Macenna! If I would of known you weren’t aware of prices I would of told you 😂😂😂 we just finished up our custom home build and INSTEAD of 6 mths it took 9!! With this being our 2nd custom home build I have learned so much and absolutely LOVED (not the waiting part 😂) the process and creating our own home plans!! Being on the property EVERY SINGLE DAY sometimes several times a day to make sure things are being done right, or to answer questions or be there when a problem arises catching a mishap early saves money AND time! we article taped our ENTIRE house build the inside most importantly because that way you know where wires are, beams, etc, because our county only allows a certain amount of windows (you can have as many as you want but the price doubled) we had our builder frame out our extra windows and then sheetrocked over them and put up the exterior Hardy siding, (we kept all the left over GOOD scraps left behind just for this project) we took pictures and all measurements that way after we got our CO and closed we now can go in and cut it out and install our extra windows! ( which i’ve already ordered (12 weeks 😳) I’m loving seeing the process it’s so EXCITING! (just not when it comes to buying the pretty things a lot of places are out of stock 🤦♀️)
This was PERFECT! I bought 1918 house 5 years ago. I’m not a DIY’er; but, I’m learning, little by little, as I didn’t know that I bought a fixer upper! I ended up being lied to EVERY step of the buying process, so the first project I tackled (the bathroom) turned into a complete fiasco, going through 3 contractors, 4 plumbers, 3x overbudget, and 6 months to get a working bathroom! That was just the beginning! I’ve gotten so discouraged so many times. Every time I think I’ll tackle something, I quickly get reminded that I cannot do that, as nearly everything is dependent upon the foundation getting fixed. Previous owners took down interior walls, which ended up compromising the structure. I may put them back. I am “jealous” of your firm floors, and wish I could find a foundation contractor that could do for me, as you’ve had done to your home, that wouldn’t cost me a year’s salary! I found myself going through the processes, as you’ve described. Too bad I didn’t have your articles to lean on 5 years ago! Keep up the good work, MaCenna!
We had our offer accepted on a late 1800 / early 1900 stone built English cottage in April, but were still in check stage as the delays due to the market are so long. Hoping to find out today if the bank will lend on the property due to a single wall that has damp (it’s been vacant for 18 months). Hoping the surveyor has some sense and allows us to proceed with the purchase with a small amount taken off the loan we’re asking for to take this work into mind. As soon as this is confirmed (🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼) I’ll let myself get excited! Until then it’s anxiety anxiety anxiety. We’ve taken nearly 2 years to find this house 😭 Big, life changing day today 😖🤞🏼
love perusal your articles in both websites…..and this journey here…..so so amazing….keep up the great work you, Romeo and your parents have done…..you have such amazing ideas and concepts to different things…..i appreciate your gift and talent…..may God continue to bless all of you…..tfs
Great article! I’ve been following this series and loving it. I love how you’ve done so much of this on your own. Truly inspiring! I’m not sure of all the capabilities of AutoCAD but I use Xactimate, a program that allows you to sketch, build, and price according to where you live. I use this every day for work and recommend checking it out. It’s a great program to validate pricing for material and labour.
Loving perusal your adventure!! Kudos & congrats!! My only constructive criticism is this (keeping in mind I’m not familiar with your existing plumbing)…bu-ut perhaps…trading the unit that is “Closet #2 & Laundry” with “Closet 1” – with minor tweaks – would keep your laundry plumbing on the same side of the house as Kitchen, Guest Bathroom & Master Bath. Aa-and perhaps consider a pocket door between “Closet #2 & Laundry” for convenience. Love what you’re doing & will anticipate each new article!
Don’t forget to design in your floor plans, the place you are going to have your central heat and air conditioning placed, and also how many vents you are going to need, and where the duct work will need to be run, in the attic of your house. It’s looking great, and I like the layout for the rooms, and the pictures you have saved on Pinterest for the look you are going for. Thank you and your family for letting us in on your journey, to restoring you new home.
I really like Planner 5D. It’s available on your computer or as an app on your phone, and it’s fairly cheap. You get to create floor plans and see all of your designs in 3D as well, and I think you get, like, 16-20 renders, so it will make your designs really come to life. I have been designing homes like crazy. Lol And once you get creative with some of the items, you really can design anything. Would love to see your cottage design in 3D like that! Also, you’re really getting a lot done on the main house! I was actually expecting more guest cottage designing and building, since you had planned to stay in the small cottage while working on the main house! Did those plans kind of fall to the wayside in the pandemic/because of the insane price of lumber right now?
I didn’t think I would like these reno articles, but I am in LOVE!! To go and look for the earliest photo of this home, keeping some details (doors, handles, locks), tear down, sketching everything, AND thrifting at the same time! ❤️🇨🇦😘 We’re currently doing renos on our house – windows, new stucco, patio door, deck, siding – and I’m wanting to change the colors on the walls, décor, and to be intentionally a minimalist. But I have no clue lol
Tips: Rule number 1: Keep the outside out, or else you are wasting your money on the inside. Roof, siding, soft, facia, gutters, downspouts, brick, block, stone, windows, doors, flashing, drip edge, caulking, paint. Rule number 2: Foundation and structure of the house are next. Rule number 3: Infrastructure. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC. Also a great time to hardwire your house with low voltage cable (TV, internet, phone). Rule number 4: Insulate, Insulate, Insulate. Rule number 5: Drywall and plaster Rules 1-5 are things you don’t want to cheap out on. These are the things that will make your investment last for the next 100 years. Rule 6-whatever: These are the things that you can save money on. Just remember the easier it is to change (paint color), the more money you can save (contractor grade paint like Sherwin Williams Promar 200). The more difficult it is to change (Floors) the more you should spend on quality materials. As for cabinets, trim, railings, interior doors, mantels, columns, banisters, etc. these are areas where you can repurpose, reuse, purchase second hand, buy on clearance, buy in bulk from one supplier to get a better price… Rule number whatever: If it is your forever house, make it your own style. Don’t care about what other people think. If it is a flip, rental, or investment property, keep it neutral, so it appeals to the majority.
We closed on our dream home in Flagstaff, AZ in mid-February – a 1400 sq. ft. pier and beam built in in 1978 and had some character (exposed beams + great windows) and the most incredible mountain view, but everything else was 1970’s home owner special, complete with the entire house having heavy textured walls over paneling…. yikes!! I found your website late last year and could not believe we were purchasing at the same time! While your reno and budget are more substancial (we are not changing the floor plan other than taking down a few walls and our budget is about 50k for reno all in), I have to say I feel like I have a friend in this process and look forward to your articles every week! Because of you I am making my carpenter/ very talented husband finally take the time and help teach me how to use a so many tools (most recently a miter saw) as we install our own floors. I am always saying – MaCenna can do it so I better learn how – haha! Thank you for all the effort you put into your articles and content – I just adore all of it and am a fellow die hard thrifter/ vintage lover. To your question, I think patience is truly key for any reno – planning but also taking one day at a time as it can be overwhelming but the end result will be so, so worth it. Just try doing it with a 5 year old…. takes patience to a new level. 🙂 xo, Tosha
Prioritize renovations by function, and prepare to live simply for a while. We bought a house built in 1940 and have run into substantial WDO damage/ way more repairs than we had originally anticipated. We worked on getting the house livable, such as replacing the floor and walls, having a functional bathroom, and setting the back room renovations aside to be able to just get our stuff in while we renovated the front of our house (not pay rent on top of a mortgage AND rebuilding costs). After 5 months of just a microwave, hot plate, and using the bathroom sink for dishes, we finally are working on finishing the kitchen (luxuries like a stove, cabinets, and my beautiful farmhouse kitchen sink). You’d be surprised what you can make due without for a while in order to save money and splurge down the road. For example, by saving ~$6K on not having to pay rent, we were able to run a gas line and get a new gas stove instead of using the electric stove that was already in the house. A big deal for foodies like us!
My husband has a small Reno company that does mostly residential work. He’s a general contractor/project manager and laborer. He always says if you are a diy’er, outsource anything that requires a licence/insurance/bonded to do. Also, don’t mess with anything structural, or anything that could kill or damage your home (ie gas lines, electrical,water lines,fireplace installation). Everything else is fair game to do. He also says if possible, practice with the material and mock up a few square feet of whatever it is you are doing (patching drywall, installing flooring, etc) to get comfortable with the products, how they apply, and you get practice and are more fluid; and if possible and you can find someone willing, have an expert in that trade teach you a bit and give you pointers.
I’ve seen your mom and you haul a lot of material by hand to workshop and to dumpster etc. I suggest a 2 tire wheel barrel. I own one and I love that I never have to worry about tipping it over. It’s very light weight but sturdy and it can hold a lot both inside or layed across. I also have a 4 wheel dump wagon/cart that I use. They’re not only great for yard work but so much more. I use them when if I have a large grocery haul from Sam’s, taking my seasonal decor to and from our garage, large and or heavy packages I’ve ordered and much more. I’m pretty attached to my wheel barrel! I’m guessing just like you are to your crowbars! I hope my suggestion is useful in making it easier and faster for y’all. PS- I love your articles! Your hard work shows not only in what your doing but in how amazingly well your articles are edited!❤️
This is some professional level work. I work in construction industry and I can say you are running this project just like actual projects are run or even better! On another note, it stresses me that – shouldn’t there be an entry to the closet-1 from outside the bathroom because what if you want something from the closet and someone’s in the bathroom?! Anyways, Love your articles! <3<3
As a designer (landscape architect) who works on occasion with architects and interior designers, I really love love your website. You definitely have all of the design thinking right and it brings me joy to see your cad floorplans – I often watch while also working on cad! Seriously, these are fantastic tips and a great approach to all of this. Great job!
I’m currently working floor plans for our home remodel. I did start going to school for architecture but didn’t go far enough (lack of money hindered my continuation), but creating my own floor plan has been interesting. I love seeing your articles to keep reminding me of different things I need to look at or change to be better. It’s amazing watch you in more “real time” get all the things done! Thanks for being sincere and transparent about the process!
We bought our first home a 100 plus year old town house in France. We love it and are not practiced renovators or diyers but one thing we have learned through all this is an organized tool/supplies kit can save you money! Also having large durable trashcans to take things to the dump is simply wonderful. Might be good to mention that if you live in a home the renovations never end lol 😬 Happy renovating!
Oh and one more thing!! You should look into setting up a switch system where you can switch power from solar to electric, this could for one thing save u from night electrical bills, but it’s also a fun process learning about the different form of energy and how much it can do… or can’t do lol 😝 but definitely congrats on ur house and ur process for this whole thing and again thank u for sharing the tips you would’ve wanted too!!! I love ur articles!
If you have over 8 foot walls hire drywall installers. I threatened to divorce my husband during the drywalling of our home and now that we finished it we are happy again. But for two weeks we slept in different rooms and made our own meals separately. It was tough! What saved us was buying a Sheetrock lifting machine. You put the Sheetrock on it move it to where the Sheetrock was to go, crank it up and screw it in place. Crank the machine down and repeat.
I just found you, this evening, because I was looking for a way to boho my plant stand. And wow, did I fall in love! You are just amazing. And your mum is a wonderful artist. I am an artist myself, and she is so good! We bought a house with my parents just months before Covid hit. Man, did prices go up, and every plan we had had to be thought trough again and again. We are still living in a renovating project. So let me just say this about tears, frustration and seemingly inventing the wheel again – make a small space with soft cushions and candles where you can take some time out. And realize you got the attention, emotional recognition and downright admiration from someone near twice your age, and from another continent. You are my new hero, seriously. Take care, keep enjoying creating stuff, and just be you.
I love perusal you making your journey through the renovation even though I would never be able to renovate my house like you do. Here in Germany about 98 % of the houses are made of stone which makes everything concerning walls very difficult. Removing walls makes a mess in the whole house and walls you want to remove often are load-bearing and then a steel beam has to be put under the ceiling which makes even a bigger mess LOL And you can’t just put in a new door or a new window or remove a window like you will do in your living room. I love your style and your determination to get what you want resp. to do what you want to do. And your articles are so well made and so refreshing to watch, I am always happy when a new one somes around. I love to see you smile and talking about things, it’s always an excitation. Thank you so much for sharing all your works an thoughts on it. It’s iike being a part in something I’d like to do if I could. <3
This article was a valuable resource for someone like me who’s new to DIY home improvement. The presenter shared insightful advice that helped me avoid common pitfalls and feel more confident tackling projects around the house. I highly recommend this article to fellow beginners looking to embark on their home renovation journey. Many thanks!
We have renovate our house just before the pandemic it was long and we had trouble to see the end of it (it was clearly less major than your renovation 😜) but it’s all worth it, we are happy here and it still some things to do but you know with a house you’ve never done with renovating it (it’s kind of an expression in French) good luck and I can’t wait to see your next article 😘
As a web developer I handle big projects by splitting them into as small parts as possible, that also helps a lot with keeping from getting overwhelmed. Thinking that renovating a house may be a bit similar? If you get overwhelmed at the thought of doing the whole house, focus on one small task at a time like ripping out old carpet, building a wall frame and so on. Those small things might not feel as intimidating and you instantly see the results and they all add up. 🙂
OMG… Again! I think you have outdone yourself yet again! That was a truly outstanding article! Well done, MaCenna! 👏🏽 I hope that someday I’ll be in a position to renovate a house. But until then, I will continue to watch and gain inspiration from you and your articles! Kudos to mom, dad, Romeo, and even Kinsley too! Keep up the wonderful work! 🤩
My Sunday evenings now are spent” waiting for a notification and trying not to fall sleep (🇬🇧) til I’ve watched the article. Absolutely loving this content. Seen as I cannot do this stuff anymore as my illness has rendered me with mobility issues it’s filling in that bit of me that still wants to just get on with it 😊❤🤗
Once again, I’m a little confused: The inspection of the house must be made by an inspector, it’s a true job which requires a specific knowledge acquired through studies and which requires a test to be called an inspector. As much as I am knowledgeable about my house, I still always call an inspector when necessary. And an inspector is not an architect: two different things. Then, usually permits are asked by the different contractors working on a house. If you were doing your electricity yourself for example (which is not the case here) I doubt that you would get a permit as you are not a contractor in electricity. And you are right to hire contractors! I was wondering when finally we would see one. To finish, I would say that not anybody has an architect father. You are lucky to be in this situation, but most of us are not in this situation and I wouldn’t take the risk to demolish a wall which supports the whole house. I think it’s better to ask for the advice of a professional. All this costs a lot of money, unfortunately.
You do not know how reassuring it is to hear you also get overwhelmed by your reno!! We just finished the framing stage of ours and the only thing I would add to your list is if you are renovating a home you are staying in long term and you can squeeze what you really want in your budget DO IT timelines be damned. We almost didn’t move our laundry to the second floor in the way I had planned out because the contractor we were talking to tried to tell me it wouldn’t work when really he just didn’t have the time to do what I was asking. It is worth the second (or third, or fourth) opinion if it’s something you really want. I am learning SO MUCH through our reno and feel so fortunate you are doing yours at a similar time so I have a little bit of a roadmap in the planning process. Your space is going to be gorgeous (and hopefully so will mine)! 💕
I just love this series so much and I’m so impressed with the amount of work you have managed to do in this house during this year so far. Major inspiration for me! What I’ve learned as a home owner is that projects always takes like 4 times longer than you thought. But that could also be because we have two littles in the house that wants attention lol. We have so many projects in our house that I want to do. The hallway, kids bedrooms, our bedroom, living room, guest room, game room, craft room, downstairs bathroom, half bath etc. Most of these rooms are liveable and just need some updates to make it our own though so no major renos here like you’re doing. We bought our house 3 years ago and I have just recently come up with a game plan for all of the rooms. I’ve had such a hard time finding my style and what I like but I think I finally have found it, it’s definitely a mix of styles but the major ones are scandinavian, rustic and modern farmhouse.
German here, I always get a chuckle out of how easy (compared to the way things are built around here) those walls overseas can be demolished 😁 Very informative article! I’m loving every bit of your series and can’t wait for the interior design part 😍 One thing that I would add (which was a topic early on in the reno) that you didn’t mention in this article is to be cautious of hazardous stuff in old homes! That’s something I just got aware of by perusal you and other youtubers renovate old houses, but I think it’s really important to know especially for all of us diyers 🔨🪓🔧