Your ultimate guide to completing a whole home remodel

As a builder, you know that a complete home remodel is a major undertaking that requires careful planning, skilled labor and attention to detail. From developing a detailed plan to managing the renovation process, there are many steps involved in turning a client’s vision into reality.

Whether you’re taking on a single home addition or a multifamily home renovation, we have the essential tips and steps to help you deliver a successful remodel. By following best practices and leveraging your expertise, you can guide your clients through the process with confidence and exceed their expectations. You can also avoid home renovation nightmares such as going over budget or leaving the homeowners unsatisfied.

Use our step-by-step guide to whole home remodeling for your next project.

What is considered a complete or whole house remodel?

A whole house remodel involves renovating most or all the home’s interior and/or exterior. This process can involve significant changes to the layout of the house, such as knocking down walls and adding rooms. This type of project is different than a partial home remodel, where the renovation only happens in certain areas or rooms of the home.

Key terminology to understand for whole home remodels

Whole home remodeling can be an exciting and transformative process, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t familiar with the key industry terminology. Discover the top terms you need to know to feel confident and knowledgeable.

Estimates

An estimate is a calculation of the expected cost of the project. It takes into account factors such as the scope of work, materials and labor. An estimate is not the final quote and can change throughout the project. To get an accurate estimate, you can use construction estimating software.

Proposals

A proposal is a formal document that outlines the details of the project. A proposal is provided to the homeowner and serves as a more detailed and formalized version of the estimate. Using construction proposal software can help you seamlessly move information from estimate to proposal.

Invoices

Invoices are detailed records of the costs associated with the renovation work done by the contractor or subcontractor. They’re typically submitted regularly, such as monthly or after milestones are reached, and they’re used to track the project’s progress and expenses. Homeowners then review the invoices and pay accordingly.

Budgets

A budget is a financial plan that outlines the expected or estimated costs vs. the actual expenses associated with the project. This is an important tool for homeowners and contractors to ensure the project stays within financial limits. With construction budgeting software, budgets can be updated automatically with changes to the project, so you always know where the project stands.

General contractors

A general contractor is hired by the homeowner to oversee a construction or renovation project. General contractors are responsible for managing all aspects of the project and ensuring work is completed on time and within budget.

Subcontractors

Subcontractors are professionals who are hired by the general contractor to perform specific tasks or services as part of the larger project. These workers are specialized in a particular trade or skill, such as plumbing or electrical work. The general contractor is responsible for overseeing the work of the subcontractors.

Project plan

A project plan is a detailed document that outlines specific goals, scope of work, timeline and budget. It’s an essential tool for the general contractor and homeowner to reference.

Project materials

Project materials are the physical items that are required to complete the project, such as lumber, drywall and flooring. It’s important to carefully select and source materials because they impact the look and quality of the finished project.

Home finishings

Home finishings are the decorative elements and final touches that are added to a space to complete the overall look and feel of the room. These can include lighting fixtures, furniture and window treatments.

10 steps to effective whole house remodels

Whole house remodeling is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the steps involved. From setting goals to monitoring project progress, there are many remodeling project to-do’s that you’ll need to tackle to bring the client’s vision to life. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time remodeler, these steps can help you navigate the process.

1. Set your goals

Setting goals helps you focus on what you want to achieve, allocate your resources more effectively and plan the project more efficiently. It also helps you avoid getting sidetracked by unnecessary changes and ensures everyone is working toward the same result.

2. Create a budget

Creating a budget can help you determine how much money you have available to spend and helps you avoid overspending. A budget also helps you make informed decisions about where to invest money for the greatest impact.

3. Gather inspiration and ideas

To clarify your vision and get insight into home renovation trends, you can look for inspiration from online resources, magazines, home shows or other design influencers. This helps identify which features and design elements you want to incorporate. It can also spark new creative solutions.

4. Hire the right subcontractors

Hiring professional subcontractors for a home remodel is crucial because they bring expertise and experience to the project. They can help create a design that meets your client’s needs, avoid costly mistakes and make decisions that save time and money.

5. Develop a detailed plan

A home remodel can be a lot to manage, so having a detailed home renovation plan can help you stay organized and avoid costly mistakes. A comprehensive plan ensures everyone is on the same page about what needs to be done and when. It can also help you anticipate potential obstacles.

6. Consider functionality and efficiency

Considering functionality and efficiency ensures that the home meets the practical needs of the client. A functional design can help make the most of the space. An efficient design can help save money on energy bills and reduce environmental impact. 

7. Select materials and finishes carefully

The materials and finishes can impact the look, feel and functionality of the home, so it’s important to select them carefully. The right materials and finishes can enhance the overall aesthetic of the home while helping you stay within budget.

8. Communicate effectively

Effective communication is critical when completing a home remodel to ensure everyone is aligned on project goals, timeline and budget. Clear communication can help you address concerns and issues that may arise during the project and avoid any misunderstandings between contractor and homeowner.

9. Monitor the progress

Regular monitoring of a home renovation project can help you identify any issues early on, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments to keep the project moving forward. It helps you stay within the allotted budget and timeline.

10. Evaluate the results against your initial goals

Evaluating results against your initial goals allows you to assess the project’s success and determine whether your goals were achieved. It can help you identify any areas where the project fell short and make any necessary improvements. This process can provide insight for future projects and help to refine priorities.

Top tips for making whole home remodels more profitable

As a builder, your goal for a whole home remodel is to deliver exceptional results while staying within budget and maximizing profits. Here we’ll list the top tips for making your project profitable so you can achieve the financial success your business needs to thrive.

Focus on high-end projects

High-end remodel projects involve larger budgets and can result in higher profit margins for your company. Focusing on high-end projects also allows you to specialize in a specific market segment and build a reputation to attract more high-end clients. The more complex projects often involve premium materials and top-of-the-line appliances and fixtures that are perceived as higher in value. 

Owen Homes, for example, has strived to take on more elaborate projects to increase profit margins.

“Since we started using Buildertrend, we’ve been able to take on larger, more complex projects, which has increased our profitability,” Charielle Sowers, director of business development, said.

Leverage software to improve efficiency

Construction management software is a game changer when it comes to efficiency and profitability. It helps contractors streamline workflows, reduce errors and complete more projects – quicker. Software includes many features that can streamline your process, such as estimating, proposals, invoicing and budgeting.

For HDR Remodeling, software has enabled the company to manage a larger portfolio of projects than before. The online platform allows the project manager to track multiple jobs simultaneously. With the help of software, HDR has increased its scale of work without diminishing its quality of service.

Specialize in a niche market

Specializing in a niche market allows contractors to focus efforts on a specific type of project or client. By developing expertise in a particular area, you can differentiate your company, which leads to repeat business in that area. Over time you can develop a strong reputation and grow your business.

Many companies focus on a niche market – including Emergent Construction, which specializes in historic home remodels. Clients can trust the company to respect the history and save the charm of their historic homes. Emergent Construction has developed a reputation that can keep it growing as a company.

Develop strategic partnerships to save on material costs

With strategic partnerships, your business can get access to high-quality materials at a lower cost. By partnering with suppliers and manufacturers, you can leverage their combined purchasing power to negotiate better prices, rebates and discounts. Strategic partnerships lead to more efficient workflows, reduced lead times on materials and better communication between all parties involved.

Brian Pavlick, president of CBUSA, talks about how earning rebates on materials can be a game changer for your business in this podcast.

Upsell additional services

Additional services can increase the scope of the project and generate additional revenue. By offering services such as landscaping or custom cabinetry, you can provide a more comprehensive solution to your clients. Upselling additional services to your clients not only increases profitability for your company, but it also creates convenience for your clients by keeping all their remodeling needs in-house.

Todd Whittaker Drywall Inc. started as a drywall repair company, but team members impressed their clients and began to sell additional services such as stucco and paint. Then homeowners soon began asking for kitchen and bathroom remodels and full home renovations. Todd Whittaker Drywall was able to grow the business by offering these extra services to homeowners.

Invest in marketing and branding to establish credibility

Investing in marketing and branding for your business can help you build a strong reputation and attract more high-quality clients. Effective marketing can create more leads, higher conversion rates and increased profitability overall. Having a strong and trusted brand helps you to command higher prices because clients are willing to pay more. 

Learn how to market your company and start to see a return on investment through marketing efforts in this episode of “The Building Code” podcast with Hogan Design and Construction.

How Buildertrend helps contractors complete remodels more efficiently

Having a project management software on your side during your whole home renovations can help you complete projects more efficiently and make homeowners comfortable during the remodel process by keeping them informed.

This starts with Buildertrend’s Customer Portal. The customer portal offers you and your clients an easy way to communicate and track the project progress. Your clients want transparency. With Buildertrend, you can share schedule updates, photos and important documents – and even allow clients to make selections.

What’s even better is clients can make online payments through Buildertrend Payments. Waiting to get paid is a struggle, but with Buildertrend, there’s no need to hunt down clients for checks or spend time depositing them. Online payments make getting paid as easy as sending an email.

Buildertrend’s construction management software has all it takes to make your whole home remodel projects a success – estimates, budgets, invoices, proposals, scheduling and more. Learn more about how to implement Buildertrend into your process. Meet with us today!

Whole home remodel FAQs

Get answers to the most common whole home remodel questions.