Major Home Renovation Guide: When, Why, and How to Renovate Instead of Move
"I don't think this is going to work.
My wife, pregnant with our third child, stood beside me as I played Tetris, trying to figure out how to fit three car seats into the back of her Prius. After another handful of minutes, we realized that a) this wasn't going to work and b) we needed to be in the market for a minivan asap. Growing families, evolving needs, and shifting goals necessitate change. With something like a car, the solution is often clear: we need a bigger car. You look at the options and make it happen.
However, when it comes to something like a home, we often face the same problem, but the solution eludes us. Feelings like "I feel stuck in my home," "I'm just spending money putting Band-Aids on a deeper problem," and "My home is bursting at the seams, and I don't know what to do" are common. Unfortunately, unlike a car where the solution is “swapping it out,” the process of “swapping out” a home is a far more complicated task and is a life-altering undertaking.
Don't despair. The solution is closer than you think.
If you love where you live and want to live there long-term but need to reimagine your home, a major renovation is the right solution for you.
A major renovation is either a reformatting of the existing footprint of your home (moving walls, relocating rooms, finishing unfinished spaces), adding square footage, or a combination of the two.
Now, if reading the above sentence fills you with a combination of longing ("yes, that's what I want to do!") and fear ("how in the world do I do that?"), the next few paragraphs are the playbook for you.
Step One: Laying the Groundwork
Do your homework by answering several questions:
What problem will this renovation solve?
Every renovation is ultimately a solution to a problem you have with your home. If you can't identify this, chances are you won't want to make the investment required to undertake the project.
Is now the right time to do it?
A major renovation shouldn't be a spur-of-the-moment decision. If you've found that, over months or years, you continue to revisit this, it's probably a good time to discuss it.
What can I spend on this renovation?
One insider note here: if you have a clear budget for your project, you'll find builders much more willing to work with you. However, we understand the lack of resources that exist to help create a budget based on the changes you want to make without talking to someone immersed in the home renovations field. We are here to help; we want to make as much of the information available as possible. With that in mind, we approach every inquiry with a passion to fulfill the job, and we hope that you are as committed as we are when we provide a detailed estimate.
Step Two: Finding the Right Partner
If you're considering a major renovation, the right builder will ultimately make or break your experience. Major renovations are complex, and it takes a builder with a particular set of skills to accomplish these projects, including:
A transparent process they'll walk you through
While each builder may have a slightly different process, they should generally be able to lay out each step, including how long it'll take, your responsibilities, and how we'll proceed to the next phase.
A relational, not transactional mentality
The entire process of a major renovation, from planning to completion, will take a minimum of 6-9 months. You need to find a builder who feels equally invested in cultivating a healthy relationship with you as they are in completing the project.
An ability to empathize and meet you where you are
Life doesn't stop during a major renovation. Family problems and work stresses will persist, in addition to the existing stress of being displaced from your home. You need a partner who can understand this context and guide you through it.
A problem-solving wizard
We wrote a whole blog about how crucial this trait is here, but in summary, major renovations often lead to problems. You need a contractor who can shield you from these problems by solving them before you need to be involved or presenting solutions that require your input.
Invested in quality and consistent communication
Imagine making one of the most significant investments of your life and then never hearing how it's going, or having to ask for updates every time you want one. You need a builder who has a plan for what they communicate, how they will communicate (text, phone, face-to-face), and how often.
Step Three: Trust the construction process
If you've found the right partner for a major renovation, the final step—construction—should be the most straightforward. You should have clarity on budgets, timelines, and when key decisions need to be made. However, your construction experience can be greatly enhanced by taking the following steps:
Move out (if possible).
For a major renovation, the less you live through it, the better. It can be a stressful environment, which we would ideally like to shield you from so your experience is as positive as possible. We want you to be able to choose how involved you want to be in the day-to-day of your renovation, and moving out gives you the autonomy to choose.
Ask questions openly.
If you have a concern about something, you should have the freedom to voice it. If you have a question or are curious about a process, you should feel free to ask. Your renovation should feel collaborative; it's our responsibility to provide the expertise and the experience, while also involving the homeowner (you) in the journey towards their transformed home.
Plan for a budget buffer.
For projects of this scale, plan to spend 5-10% more than the projected cost. This is partially due to potential (often problematic) discoveries that need to be addressed, as well as the fun add-ons you may decide to make during the project.
Expect problems to arise (and be solved).
We've never had a project go off without running into a problem that needed solving. Trust your builder to come to you not just with the problem, but with a solution in hand.
In conclusion, renovating your home isn't just about updating a space—it's about reimagining (and reinvigorating) your life within it. If your current home no longer fits your family's needs, a well-planned major renovation can provide the function, flow, and future you're craving. Don't settle for feeling stuck—partner with the right builder and transform your house into the home you've been dreaming of.