Home Remodeling Steps
Step-by-Step guide planning a home remodel
Step Plan
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Analyse Numbers
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Collect Ideas
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Plan Specs
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Find Contractors
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Get Financing
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Manage Project
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navigate
introduction
Use this 6-Step Home Remodeling Guide to review the entire home remodeling process. It collects all of the information you need and outlines it for review in a step-by-step plan.
Page Topics:
First Step: Analyze the Numbers
home remodeling steps
About Home Remodeling Step 1
Before you start your home improvement project, run some financial numbers to determine whether your project is a smart investment.
The numbers include the estimated costs, home value assessment, financing costs, and other related calculations.
Start With Analyzing the Mumbers
Review cost-related issues to home remodeling vs. buying a new home. Your factors include the estimated cost of remodeling, home and neighborhood assessments, tax implications and payback benefits:
| link to notes: analyze the numbers | |
| estimate the cost of your project | |
| get your home value |
Budgeting and Saving Money
If you decide to move forward after your assessment, let's view tips on saving construction costs and budgeting. You want to avoid spending more money that what you should to keep your overall assessment in-line:
| view money saving tip$ to reduce costs | |
| see what's needed for budgeting |
for quick reference
download home remodeling guide  |
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| download our home remodeling map |
home remodeling steps
about remodeling step 2
Your 2nd step in home remodeling is deciding what you would like to do. This includes reviewing home remodeling ideas, home improvement plans, architectural styles, floor layouts, home galleries and more.
First Thing, Start Collecting Ideas
| view: | home remodeling ideas | |
| view: | photo remodeling analysis | |
| view: | home remodeling topics | |
| view: | photo gallery | |
| view: | for in-home shopping |
Any Particular Remodeling Project
Reference these guides to review and collect ideas for a specific remodeling project:
| view: | kitchen remodeling | |
| view: | bathroom remodeling | |
| view: | basement remodeling | |
| view: | bedroom remodeling | |
| view: | home theater design | |
| view: | garden design | |
| view: | other home remodeling ideas |
View Existing House Plans
Review existing house plans to find something that matches your design considerations. You might find something exactly what you are looking for; or you can take a similar plan and have an architect tweak it to meet your specifications. Places to look:
| view: | search house plans for remodeling ideas | |
| view: | search plans from nationwide builders | |
| view: | view topic on architectural designs - history |
for quick reference
 |
download home remodeling map |
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download our rolodex file |
home remodeling steps
about remodeling step 3
Step 3 is sketching your ideas and developing the spec plan. The spec plan determines what type of materials and design considerations that will be needed. You will use the spec plan and architectual design to bid the project out to a contractor.
First Thing: Sketch Your Remodeling Plan
After you have collected your ideas and reviewed existing house plans, it's time to sketch your plan. This plan may include an architectural design (if needed), and the remodeling specification plan. Some ideas to consider:
| view: | about developing your remodeling plan | |
| view: | some design considerations |
Next, Develop the Spec Plan
Use our FREE download to note the specifications for your home remodeling project. We have supporting information to help decide room specifications and materials:
| view: | designing your specification plan |
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Don't get duped by costs or mistakes that you will regret later. Get the information you need to save $$$ on your home remodeling project (covers each room in the house):
| view: | view cost saving tip$$$ | |
| view: | search architect - engineer - draftsperson |
for quick reference
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get remodeling spec sheet |
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print remodeling plan |
home remodeling steps
about remodeling step 4
Step 4 is finding and negotiating the contract with a home remodeling contractor. Give your remodeling ideas and specs to a contractor for review and bid analysis. Use our network (aligned with HomeAdvisor) to find the right contractor for your project.
Find a Pre-Screened Contractor
After you develop the specification plan and design, you are ready to bid the remodeling project out to a contractor. Be prepared to negotiate 2-3 contractor bids for best price:
| search: | for pre-screened contractors | |
| search: | home building companies | |
| search: | classified ads |
Selecting and Negotiating with the Contractor
View how best to select your contractor by negotiating the remodeling project in good faith. Protect yourself and your investment:
| search: | tips on selecting your contractor | |
| search: | about contract negotiations |
for quick reference
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download contractor evaluation form |
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download selecting contractor checklist |
home remodeling steps
about remodeling step 5
Step 5 is arranging financing once you select the contractor and finalize the contract for your project. Using the equity value in your home is one of the best financing option for home improvement.
What Type of Financing
There are two financing options available:
1) get a home equity line of credit to fund your project as expenses occur; or
2) refinance your home with a cash-out position to pay for your home remodeling project. View both options and see how best to qualify:
| view: | about financing home remodeling | |
| view: | getting yourself qualified | |
| view: | check your credit |
How About the Bank Equity Program
Allow us to introduce the Bank Equity program, where your home becomes the bank for financing home improvement and other related life events.
| view: | view the BANK EQUITY program |
Make the Lending Decision
When you are ready to make your lending decision, use these helpful tools:
| view: | view how best to negotiate rates | |
| view: | use loan calculations |
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APPLY NOW! through national network of lenders |
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download lender shopping sheet |
home remodeling steps
about remodeling step 6
Step 6 is where the project begins. It starts with setting up the work area, removing everything that needs to be replaced, installing plumbing and electrical if needed, putting in the final touches, etc.
How Best to Manage the Project
Use these guides to help manage and work with your contractor. Understanding how the process works will ensure the project gets done under your satisfactory eye:
| view: | working with the contractor | |
| view: | managing the home remodeling project |
Don't Pay Until You Inspect
Make sure you inspect every point along the project phase for quality before making any payments to the contractor. Once the money leaves your hand, you lose all negotiating power:
| view: | about a home project inspections | |
| view: | find home inspector | |
| view: | find other professional help |
for quick reference
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working with the contractor |
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managing the contract |
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