Home remodeling: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What home remodeling is

A home remodel changes the layout or finishes of existing rooms, often several at once. People need one when the house no longer fits how they live, or when old wiring, plumbing and surfaces should be replaced together instead of piece by piece.

Signs you need it

  • Walls or ceilings have to come open to reach old wiring, plumbing or ductwork you want moved
  • You want to take out a wall, open a room to its neighbor or add a doorway, which needs a framing plan
  • Several rooms need work on the same timeline and you want one schedule and one point of contact
  • Water stains, sagging drywall or soft flooring show that a room needs more than cosmetic work
  • You are not sure which trades to hire or in what order, and need someone to sequence the job

What the pro does

  • Walk the house with you, measure each room and note what sits behind the walls that will be opened
  • Draw the plan, pull the building permits the work needs and book inspections with the local building department
  • Demolish the agreed rooms, haul debris out and protect floors and openings that are staying
  • Coordinate rough framing, rough plumbing and rough electrical so each trade is inspected before walls close
  • Hang and finish drywall, then install trim, doors, flooring and paint in an order that keeps finishes clean
  • Walk the finished rooms with you, close out the punch list and hand over appliance and finish warranties

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • How many rooms change and whether walls, floors or ceilings have to be opened
  • Whether a wall that carries weight has to be replaced with a beam, which needs engineered drawings
  • How far plumbing, wiring or ductwork has to move from where it is now
  • The finish level chosen for cabinets, flooring, tile, lighting and fixtures
  • The age of the house, since older homes often hide wiring, plaster or framing that needs attention
  • Access to the work area, including narrow stairs, tight hallways and whether you stay in the home during work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each room listed with the demolition, framing and finish work included for that room
  • Which trades do the work and which are subcontracted, with each one named
  • Who pulls the permits, the fees for them and every inspection the job must pass
  • A phase-by-phase schedule with a start date, expected finish and what would delay it
  • Allowances for fixtures, tile and flooring, and how a change to a chosen material is approved

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you do if you find old wiring, galvanized pipe or rot behind a wall you planned to keep?
  • Will any wall be moved or removed, and who confirms the framing can carry that change?
  • Who pulls the permits and who schedules each inspection?
  • Are the people on site your employees or subcontractors, and who supervises the subcontractors?
  • How will you keep dust and noise out of rooms that are not being worked on?
  • Can you show a finished remodel of similar scope from the last year, with the trades you used?

Red flags

  • There is no written scope, or the scope changes each time you ask about a room
  • The pro asks you to skip permits or to pay most of the job before any work starts
  • The pro cannot name the trades that will be on site or the person who will frame the walls
  • A finish date is promised with no mention of inspections, material lead times or hidden damage

What you can do yourself

Clearing furniture, removing trim you plan to reuse and taking down light fixtures are reasonable tasks for a homeowner before the crew arrives. Demolition, moving walls, and any change to wiring, plumbing or ductwork should go to licensed professionals who can show permit paperwork.

Licenses and permits

A full remodel often involves licensed trades for electrical and plumbing work, and often needs building permits and inspections. Requirements differ by location, so check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before you sign.

Home remodeling questions

How long does a whole-house remodel usually take?

The timeline depends on how many rooms change and how long permits and inspections take. Ask for a schedule by phase, and ask what would move the finish date. Changes to the plan partway through add time.

Do I need to move out during a remodel?

Not always. Moving out is more likely when a kitchen or bathroom is out of service for weeks or when dust and noise would be hard to live with. Ask how the crew will seal off the work area and whether one bathroom can stay usable.

What should I decide before the first walk-through?

Decide which rooms are in scope, which finish level you want, and whether you want any walls moved. Having a clear budget ceiling helps the pro suggest choices that fit it.

Who makes the layout drawings?

Some remodelers include design, and others work from plans drawn by an architect or designer. Ask who is responsible for the drawings and whether they show the electrical and plumbing layout.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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