House renovation is a complex process that requires careful planning and budgeting. It involves selecting the right materials, such as flooring, lighting, appliances, countertops, vanity and vanity tops, sinks and plumbing, and cabinets, to create a cohesive and functional space. Before starting any renovation project, it is essential to set intentions and budget, ensure the structure is solid before starting major projects, and complete the project with confidence using the Ultimate Step-by-step Home Renovation Checklist.
To renovate a house, start with the exterior if you have to choose, and make any necessary roof repairs. Be prepared to provide plans, specs, and specific details about the finishes and materials you’re looking for. Get recommendations from friends, coworkers, and neighbors. To find an affordable property to renovate, look for a fixer-upper in a location you would like to live in. Stay consistent with color and material choices, and choose options that are cohesive with the design in the rest of the house. Source materials and permits, talk to manufacturers, and consider alternative eco-friendly options.
Materials used during the renovation include screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, socket wrenches, electronics screwdrivers and pliers, PVC pipe, and porcelain and ceramic. Hand tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches, measuring and layout tools, hammers and prying tools, cutting and sanding tools, and power drills are essential for home renovation. Trim pullers, reciprocating saws, paint sprayers, drills, and brads are also essential tools for home renovation.
In addition to flooring, lighting, appliances, and fixtures, first-time homeowners need tools like hammers, screwdrivers, power tools, tape measures, stud finders, bubble level pliers, and wrenches. In the Netherlands, building permits and financing are crucial for renovating your house, including plywood roofing, drywall tiles, paint, flooring, sinks and faucets, and toilets.
📹 The Home Remodeling Checklist: A Comprehensive Guide
A home remodeling project involves a lot of moving pieces, so staying organized can help set your remodel up for success. In this …
What does a renovation consist of?
The term “renovation” is typically used to describe a series of restoration activities, including the repainting of walls or cabinets, the replacement of fixtures or hardware, and the updating of features that are no longer in line with contemporary standards.
How much does it cost to renovate a house in the Netherlands?
A house renovation cost can be calculated in two ways: total price for a project or per square meter. On average, the cost is between 750 and 1500 euros per square meter. The cost depends on factors such as the quality and condition of the home. The main components that determine the cost of a home renovation include electricity, which may not meet current requirements in old houses. Installing solar panels or smart home facilities may require new circuits, which may require permission from the municipality. This can cost up to 10, 000 euros.
Heating is another significant cost, but modern facilities like a new boiler and radiators can save money on the energy bill. An HR boiler pays for itself, especially if the heating is outdated. Smart home extensions, such as smart radiators, can also help reduce energy consumption. By using a self-learning system, energy consumption is kept to a minimum, resulting in costs above 10, 000 euros for renovating your home.
In what order should you do renovations?
The renovation process typically involves the stripping out and removal of structural elements, such as floors, ceilings, and walls, as well as the implementation of preliminary repairs and modifications to the plumbing, heating, and wiring systems. Additionally, the process entails the installation of new plastering, flooring, and other finishing materials, as well as the construction and fitting-out of bathrooms and kitchens.
What comes first in remodeling?
Starting with the kitchen, focus on the bathroom as it is the most intense room to renovate due to its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work. Prioritize this area first, as it is notorious for being expensive to renovate. If you have multiple bathrooms, renovate them one at a time to ensure access to a toilet and shower. These high-value rooms can increase the value of your home if completed.
Next, move on to the living room. After completing the kitchen and bathroom renovations, focus on the living room. Create a comfortable space for relaxation and entertainment, serving as a temporary gathering place while other renovations are ongoing. This will increase the value of your home and make it a more attractive and functional space.
What are the steps in full house 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.
What costs the most when renovating a house?
The average cost of home renovation projects in 2021 was $18, 000, with the highest spending among recent homebuyers ($30, 000). The median national spend was $18, 000, with the 90th percentile being $100, 000. The highest renovation spend was among short-term homeowners ($19, 000) and long-term homeowners ($15, 000). HomeAdvisor found most renovation costs to fall between $17, 947 and $78, 308, with a national average of $48, 049.
A 2022 study by the National Association of Home Builders found that buyers of new homes spend an average of $12, 000 on renovations, $5, 000 on furnishings, and $4, 000 on appliances within the first year of ownership.
How do I make a renovation checklist?
The DFW Step-by-Step Home Renovation Checklist is a comprehensive guide for those looking to transform their existing homes into dream homes. It outlines the process, including setting goals, creating a detailed plan, setting a budget, selecting the right materials, prioritizing design elements, choosing which projects to tackle first, and enlisting professional help. The checklist is designed to help individuals stay organized, on budget, and informed about the progress of their project.
It also ensures that no project is overlooked during the process. Whether you’re hiring a professional contractor or focusing on your own renovation, the checklist will help you stay organized, on budget, and ensure that nothing is overlooked. The checklist is designed to help you make informed decisions and stay on track with your renovation project.
What is the most expensive thing when renovating a house?
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 they also require significant financial investment. Understanding which parts of a remodel are the most expensive can help homeowners plan and budget more effectively. Structural changes and repairs, particularly those involving the foundation, are one of the most costly aspects of a remodel. Repairing or reinforcing a foundation and removing or altering load-bearing walls requires professional expertise and can significantly increase costs.
What is the first step of renovation?
To renovate your house, start by planning thoroughly, setting a budget, creating a timeline, and outlining your renovation goals. Consider hiring a global construction leader for better project management and design. Understand the difference between renovation and remodeling, as renovation involves improvements while keeping the existing structure intact, while remodeling involves extensive changes. Determine the project’s scope based on your goals and budget.
Which renovation should I do 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.
What to start with when renovating a house?
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.
📹 8 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO UPDATE A DATED HOME WITHOUT REMODELING
8 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO UPDATE A DATED HOME WITHOUT REMODELING Interior Designer: Kristen McGowan I’m sharing …
Bathroom mirror frame – paint the back of the wood frame black before mounting so you don’t see the reflection of the raw wood in the mirror. Also, clear silicone caulk across the bottom against the mirror so water doesn’t splash and leak behind the wood, which can discolor the wood or even cause it to mold. Otherwise, great tip. We did this in three bathroom remodels. For about $25, you can create a mirror that looks like it cost $100s.
You didn’t mention the update I was waiting for – lighting. We need to sell my parents’ single-story home, and the lighting was extremely dated. For only about $600, I re-did most of the lighting. It really brightened a lot of the rooms, and brought them 30 – 40 years forward in time. Realtor friends told us we would more than recover the cost of those upgrades on the sale.
Kristen, this was such a helpful article. I am trying to update my home right now with little, cost-effective changes that make a huge impact, but my husband is a bit resistant to making changes that he can’t do himself though he is very busy with work. I would love to see more articles like this. Many thanks, blessings.
A lifesaver for those of us who can’t afford a full-blown renovation. The tips are practical, easy to follow, and won’t break the bank – perfect for sprucing up my space without a major overhaul. I love how the article gives realistic and budget-friendly ideas to breathe new life into my home without going through the hassle of a big remodeling project.
Wow! Thank you so much!! Im just desperately clicking around/ typing things to give me some direction and motivation for my home and you seriously helped me. Thanks for the realistic, difference making options! I love that you take the time out to put pictures (for us visual learners) and explanations on HOW. ❤
I painted our pink tiled (can you imagine) fireplace surround black. It was a terrific one-step primer-built-in paint and made a world of difference. We painted the stair railing from a dated oak finish to white, but I think the railing needs to be black, similar to the look you gave your parents’ staircase. Next project!
I’m a (more ‘used-to-be’) big DIYer, and Kristen did an absolutely fantastic, beautiful job on this small bathroom, ending with what looks like a much larger, .very high-end bath… and for her parents! An absolutely wonderful makeover! I only just discovered Kristen, completely by accident, and I’l certainly be perusal for more articles by this very talented, young designer. GREAT JOB!!
This was extremely helpful! I had no idea about white washing wood and I never thought about a dark stain to the existing cabinets or wood paneling either. I’ve been totally inspired that we can update the 1982 house we’re looking to a beautiful new home without breaking the bank. Interest rates are so high it’s a wonder how anyone can afford to still renovate. But this gives me hope!
You are amazing and inspired me to do so many things in our home! I basically did the staircase upgrade with the gel stain and it looks so stunning. I just framed a builder grade mirror. Mirror itself is in excellent shape, just need a bit of modern touch. Oh yeah and you inspired me to take down old medicine cabinets…I only have to get to doing it, though 🙂 Thanks for all the inspiration!!! I seriously think about adding frame to the walls. Any ideas for a living room update? Ours is pretty good, but I feel like I want something new…I might just move the curtain rods up towards the ceiling and get new curtains. That might do it. ANy suggestions for living room/family room upgrades are welcome!!!
This is treasure trove of valuable insights and inspiration. Your practical tips and resourceful ideas for revamping spaces without breaking the bank were a real eye-opener. perusal the transformation of a home on a budget was not only motivating but also gave me the confidence to embark on my own renovation journey. Thumbs up.👍
I actually used flat latex wall paint on the bricks around my fireplace 25 years ago, still looks fine and yes, we used the fireplace for wood fires. I removed old valances and heavy pinch pleated drapes- such a difference when replaced with simple IKEA curtains hung wide so the whole window was visible when the curtains were open. Sooo much more light in a room that needed it.
This is a fantastic article and a real eye-opener to me! 🏆 A question I struggle with is this: I absolutely love picture frame molding and have mentioned several times to friends that I plan to do that in my home. However, I always get the same negative response that I shouldn’t because my house is from the 70’s and I need to stick with the “soul” of the house. I am def going to change the now warm yellow oak staircase and remove some old fitted carpets, but how much should I “respect” the era and style my house was built in when it comes to picture frame molding? I would really appreciate your comment on this.
In my opinion, a housing market crash is imminent due to the high number of individuals who purchased homes above the asking price despite the low interest rates. These buyers find themselves in precarious situations as housing prices decline, leaving them without any equity. If they become unable to afford their homes, foreclosure becomes a likely outcome. Even attempting to sell would not yield any profits. This scenario is expected to impact a significant number of people, particularly in light of the anticipated surge in layoffs and the rapid increase in the cost of living.
I’m planning to paint my electrical faceplates but have heard it could be a fire hazard. I did buy non-flammable paint, but am still a little nervous about it. Have you heard, or do you know anything about that? I also want to paint my cabinet pulls from nickel to black, but I’m not sure if I will like it. I have black accents and stainless appliances, so I think it’ll look ok, but a little nervous to take the plunge!
Oak or cherry wood is beautiful and timeless plus not everybody cares for the painted look, but if you want to tame it you don’t need to paint them necessarily. Just by picking a color that compliments them, that will tone down the tones especially if the paint is a blue, green or earthy tones with no orange, yellow or red undertones in it. I exhort you and other Youtubers to stop promoting that this type of wood is outdated as it promotes waste and unnecessary stress on the owner.
Love all these tips! During Covid we ripped out our old stair carpet -which always looked dirty, we painted the stairs white with porch paint, then we put a really pretty runner on, and we painted the railing with Benjamin Moore cabinet paint in black. It’s looks incredible. It’s like the best makeover for a front entry and it wasn’t too expensive!
This is terrific and inspirational advice. Just one small thing….. I love the look of painted stairs, but having them carpeted is a bit of a safety feature. As an older person with quite a steep staircase I am careful, but if I should ever trip I would be much less likely to hurt myself if the stairs are carpeted.
1:19 Hi Kristen. Great ideas! One thing you did not mention in this article (maybe it is in another article) Is painting the metal covers over the AC/heater vents. When I bought the house it had been freshly painted except for those dirty white covers against beige walls. Ugghh. I can hardly wait to try the moulding on the doors. Thanks for the ideas!
Love your website, but no no no to paint everywhere. Unless something is unsalvageable, please refinish furniture, stairs and cabinetry, especially if they’re vintage, antique, or just have good bones. If it s an antique, realize that you’re either ruining it altogether or at a minimum devaluing it. The next buyer isn’t gonna be happy to have to try to remove all that paint. Painted kitchen cabinets have a very short lifespan, so there’s really little new turn on your investment of time and energy. Same for bricks. Please just don’t. Painted brick is a no no for a lot of buyers. Impossible to undo. Painted cabinets are also a no no for many buyers who can see how difficult it will be to keep them up and will probably have to not only remodel the paint, but then re-stain. Just my 2 cents. . .
Thank you so much for great ideas ! I will definitely use idea with framing of mirror and walls. Also, the cabinets in my kitchen need to be desperately updated and you gave me such a great advise! Also, I was wondering if you can give me advise from where to start, I would like to learn all about house remodeling from the very bases but I don’t know where to start. Any classes that you can suggest for me to take or go to college and study. I would really appreciate it! I always admire women who can do hands on things in the house!
I’ve been a subscriber for a year or two, and I just wanted to tell you that while I’ll “go with” you to IKEA, Target and Home Goods any time, this article is the most useful and inspiring one I’ve seen. So thanks for reminding me that there are things I can do on my own to wake this house up a bit. If possible, I’d love to see you address the, I don’t know what to call it, separation of, in my case, the living room and dining room. There’s no molding or decorative arch, it’s as though it was a wall and someone cut and framed out a big square leaving 12 or so inches of wall at the top, continued baseboard around it, and voila, it’s 2 rooms, kind of. If possible, I’d have a carpenter frame out the corners, doing whatever is needed to turn it into an arch, but $$$ I’ve just given up on all of our windows with no ledge; I’m sure it’s so much easier/cheaper to frame it out, put the window in, and slap some molding around it. The suburbs of the 1990’s aren’t known for architectural interest, lol. My apologies for going on so, apparently I had a lot to say 😁
Wonderful tips thank you Kristen. Do you have recommendations on curtains. We have eyelet curtains throughout the house that we have put in recently. (about 6 years ago). They are hanging high and wide. Is this dating my space? Also I have added some coloured curtains to pick up the dark leather corner couch
I’m really stuck with my stairs, they are orangy oak but have a carpet runner on them that I don’t want to remove. I’d like to bleach or stain them a lighter wood colour but don’t know how to work around the existing carpet runner. any tips? I agree about changing out the light plate covers but for ours I have to change out the whole outlet as our switches and outlets are almond and just changing the cover would leave the almond outlet in the center. A bit tricky but I’m going to attempt it. I also caved and bought new doors to replace our flat old ones but I am painting out the trim from the dark stained wood to match the new doors.
I love the bathroom mirror idea, I was thinking about framing it as well but there is not enough space around, i never though putting the moulding on the mirror, thanks a billion for this tip. Aaannd I have been painting IKEA furniture and it ruined my life 🙁 no matter what I tried, the paint won’t stick
Just painted my fireplace black over the weekend. I was so nervous but I have to say it’s stunning. My husband was furious with me as I was doing it but he now can see how beautiful it is. I have a big picture that is bright that says ” you are my sunshine ” I printed off pictures of our kids and grandkids put them in black frames. It’s the perfect picture gallery. I wished I’d done it years ago.
Hi Kristen! I am so inspired by all of your ideas in this article. I have an original 1980s home with dark wood trim, flat panel doors, and an outdated brick fireplace. I am wondering if you have a article detailing what paint to use and how to paint the doors, trim, and fireplace. Do I need to strip the doors of the stain or can I paint right over the stain? What is the best way to paint my fireplace…. Thanks so much!
Kristen, I came across this article while looking for ways to turns my condo here in CT into country style i stead of the mismosh of stuff I have now….many pieces I have are not country at all but I would like to keep those I love or are comfy…..might you have a article, or know someone who might, showing how I might turn my home more country without buying all new furniture and accessories ????? Thank you for what you do here on YouTube. Lorraine Flynn
Wood blinds are really expensive and have a place in a historical home. The price to replace wood blinds with Roman shades is roughly $1000 a window X 10 … I don’t have a spare $10,000 in my bank account. I do like your ideas for trimming doors and I’ve passed your article on to my children who are dealing with that horrible problem.
Great article! I really enjoyed it. But I guess I’m old. While the black and white renovations look stunning, I actually like warm, honey colored wood cabinets and trims. I don’t care too much for the modern look of black, grays and white everywhere in a home. It gives a sterile feel and I love a country home with a warm feel. I wonder if there is a modern way to do ‘country’. 😉
مرحبا ..انا اكتب لكي بالعربي اتمنى ان تستطيعي ترجمته وقرأتة . اني من اشد المعجبين بك وبما تعمليه من تغييرات رائعه واحترافيه . ونصائحك اللتي لها فائدة كبيرة في تجديد منزلي ..هل من الممكن مساعدتي في طريقه حساب المساحة وحجم المولدنغ المستعمل فيه لاني محتارة كيف لي ان اضعه المولدنغ المناسب لكل مساحة حائط ..
Thanks for those super useful tips! We were preparing to do some little changes just to elevate our space a bit. However, now that I know there are so many more things we can make much much better just with some paint, I wanna try painting over our entire home! lol I know it will take us some time, since both me and my husband are working but it’s so so worth it! I just hope he is in, I am forwarding him your article, thanks again for giving us some new ideas 😀
I repainted our kitchen cupboards and they look fantastic. Upper cupboards are a gorgeous soft white, lower cupboards are a beautiful light gray ( Himalayan Trek ) ( I had painted the lowers a beautiful faded denim blue a few years ago but they didn’t look right with our floors)Also adding a top of the line dishwasher to all our other newer appliances.
I stumbled upon this article and it’s a goldmine for anyone looking to give their home a facelift without burning a hole in their pocket. The tips are super practical and easy to follow – I never thought simple changes could make such a big difference! The article breaks down budget-friendly ideas that make updating your home feel both achievable and exciting.
Great advice all around! We removed our outdated, always-untidy stair carpet during COVID, painted the stairs white using porch paint, added a gorgeous runner, and painted the railing in black Benjamin Moore cabinet paint. It appears amazing. It was reasonably priced and resembled the ideal makeover for a front entryway!
I’ve been hesitant about painting my very tired, 40+ year old fireplace. It has a rough cut wood beam mantle that matches wood beams in the ceiling. I think you’ve given me some courage to lighten that space up ( but I think only force by threatened violence will ever make me color my honey oak cabinets😂) Thank new. New subscriber.
We have an 15 years old red cedar deck that was completely neglected for the past 9 years. Due to the lumber cost during the covid, we decided to give a second chance by sanding it with a 60 grid sand paper…turn out like new. We apply a timber tinted oil and our friends thought we had a new patio. With the money we saved, we changed the patio old wood baluster for a ornemental aluminum baluster.
Soon to be on the look for a new house. In my area of choice most houses are dated. This article was immensely helpful. I’m definitely going to upgrade boring walls with picture frame molding like shown at 5: 17! And to see through those drab colors of 0: 33 to get to the crisp beauty of 0: 38 really inspired me. Have saved this article in my folder ‘home ideas’ and will definitely watch again to keep me sharp!
We’ve been living in a house that was built in the early 90’s and EVERYTHING is honey oak (the floors, the doors, the baseboards, the door frames, the staircase, every single built-in cabinet, all the kitchen cabinets..). It is insanely overwhelming, and it is all extremely dated. On top of that, every single piece of metal in this house is that shiny gold / brass. Every light fixture, every door knob, every hinge, every cabinet pull, etc. I’ve been trying for 8 years now to slowly update everything, but it can still be pretty expensive. My next big step is to have a professional come in and paint all the kitchen cabinets and put new doors on them that aren’t so dated.
Just remember, the lifespan of pretty much every trend… Ten years. GO WITH CLASSICS that will always look good regardless what the current trend is. Think of it the same as your clothes, the 80/20 rule, 80% classic staples, 20% trends that you can easily, and cost friendly, switch out when that trend is done & the next comes along.
The ideas here are very helpful! I like the mirror idea for the builder-grade mirror we have. I painted my old stone fireplace with a stark white years ago and agree that it can transform a space. I notice that you use hand tools like your nail gun – I wish you would wear safety goggles! Please be safe!
We just purchased my 1970’s childhood home. I didn’t want to remove the original bathroom mirror so my husband framed it in. He used wood accents in the corners to cover the acrylic star mounts. He installed crown molding in every room and replaced the flat doors with beveled ones. We changed out all the light fixtures and sinks/faucets and replaced the entrance doors with leaded glass. He ripped out the bar in the kitchen to open it up. The Harvest Gold Formica amazingly showed no signs of wear but it had to go! We replaced it with an ivory toned quartz. I’m going to take your advice on the molding on the wall. That would look nice in my hall bathroom. Thank you for these good ideas!
Regarding the ivory wall plates. It’s not just the PLATE that is ivory. The outlet/switch is usually ivory as well, and those will also need to be replaced, otherwise a white plate around an ivory outlet looks even WORSE. Changing the outlets isn’t difficult, and if someone has an entirely reasonable reluctance to work with electricity, any competent handyman can handle it. It’s not a job that requires an electrician. I do have a question regarding painting tile and brick. How difficult is it to remove/strip the paint w/o damaging the underlying tile/brick? Last, trimming out my builder grade bathroom mirrors sounds like a fantastic idea. Greene & Greene Cloudlift, here I come!
I have built in bookcases on either side of a fireplace. Originally all our trim, kitchen cupboards, bookcases were a white washed pinkish (90’s) oak. We renovated and have a white kitchen, baseboards, casings spindles but we stained the built ins dark to match railings. Now i find them too dark and wish they are white. Hubby doesn’t agree. Could i just paint the backs of the shelves to lighten them up? Or use a peel and stick white wall paper? They are approx 3.5’x10’ tall.
Another thing I’m seeing that dates my house (I’ve been here almost 15 years and it’s the longest I’ve ever lived in a home) is doorknobs! OMG…they get worn down and so the finish wears away unevenly. I totally agree about switch plates. Paint and wallpaper, as well as new plumbing fixtures make a huge difference with very little money & are the easiest DIY things to do, unless you do a lot of wallpaper in a room with lots of angles like a kitchen and attached breakfast room. Then you’d want some help. Thanks for your great ideas!