I’ve worked with enough contractors over the years to know that the success of a renovation often has less to do with what happens once construction starts and more to do with what was decided beforehand. The right questions, the right information and a realistic understanding of what the project will involve can change the entire experience, for both the homeowner and the team doing the work.

I asked an experienced contractor to share the things he believes homeowners should understand before starting a renovation, from the realities of the work itself to the decisions that can make the process run more smoothly.

Be Realistic About Your Project Scope

Their projects were presented as not a single renovation with small additions, but as multiple small renovations and additions.

"we're just adding a room here and updating a bathroom there… Oh and this "little" thing here."

When you look at the bigger picture, these “small” renovations often add up to a much larger job. The truth is the job is what it is, regardless of how it’s framed. You can either give us the whole story upfront and we can provide the overall budget and timeline or you can give us bits and pieces and the cost and timeline will change throughout.

It’s important to understand the full scope of your renovation upfront, so both you and your contractor are on the same page. Minimizing the work won’t change the overall scope or cost involved, but it can often result in false expectations on the budget, or worse, forgetting part of the project until it's too late or cost you in renovating what was just built.

Always Have Plans Drawn Up

Homeowners often don’t plan to get any drawings or blueprints before starting. They’re looking for someone who can start work a year from now but haven’t mapped out the details yet. When you don't have plans, it's clear to us that you’re looking for a price to figure out if the project is financially feasible—and that’s fair.

But here’s why that’s a problem: Where do you think the price comes from?

If your budget is the main concern, the smartest thing you can do is get a set of plans drawn up. Use the preliminary / conceptual drawings to find out if this project is in or out of your ballpark. Then, with a full set of plans, you can show them to contractors and get a precise estimate for the whole project. If the price doesn’t align with your budget, you can always scale back the scope of work.

Be transparent about what you can afford, and a good contractor will help you figure out what can be done with what you have.

Avoid the “One-Person-Does-It-All” Mentality

Many homeowners are looking for that one magical contractor who can handle everything—from framing and plumbing to electrical and drywall. I have been in the industry for nearly 20 years and I have yet to meet someone who can do it all and do it well. And frankly, you shouldn’t want one person to do it all*.

Here’s why: It’s risky.

No one can be an expert at every trade, and putting all your trust in one person increases the chances of things not going as planned. If something goes wrong, are you prepared to deal with the consequences?

A better approach is to hire subcontractors for each part of the job—people who are experts in their respective fields. If managing multiple trades feels overwhelming, consider hiring a general contractor. A good general contractor will come with a trusted team, handle the coordination, and ensure everything stays on track.

But here’s a tip: Put as much effort into researching and choosing your general contractor as you would for subcontractors. You want someone reliable who will bring in the right crew and get the job done properly.

*I'm not talking someone who will cosmetically renovate your bathroom. Ie. a little drywall, changing out the cabinets, the plumbing fixtures, the lighting… a handyman can do that for you. You don't need a gas or plumbing ticket, or extensive framing knowledge, or know how to wire an entire house (although really check their past tiling projects).

Taking these steps will save you stress, time, and potentially a lot of money. Let's make sure your renovation goes as smoothly as possible.

The Takeaway

There’s a reason I wanted these insights to come directly from a contractor. A renovation is a collaboration between the homeowner and the professionals they bring onto the project, and the better each side understands what the other needs, the better the project can run.

You don't need to become a contractor to renovate well. But you do need to understand what you're taking on, ask the right questions before work begins and give your team the information they need to do their jobs properly.