I recently spoke with a 15 year contractor about the types of renovation requests he's been getting, and there’s a common theme with almost every homeowner. He shared some valuable advice that I think every homeowner should hear before diving into their next project.

1. 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?

The job is what it is, regardless of how it’s framed.

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.

2. 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.

3. 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. And if you're feeling unsure about any part of the process, you know where to find me. Let's make sure your renovation goes as smoothly as possible!

— C.