When you receive the keys to the house or apartment you plan to renovate, it’s easy to feel the urge to jump straight in — swinging a hammer without a plan, tearing down walls, and throwing everything out. However, no matter how strong that impulse is, the smartest first step is to sit down and create a detailed plan.

Many people have learned this the hard way, but you can learn from their mistakes. If you don’t have a clearly defined plan at the beginning of the renovation, your budget and timeline will keep changing throughout the entire process. With that in mind, let’s look at how you can prepare yourself as effectively as possible.

1. Think About the End Result From the Start

Visualize what you want the final outcome to look like. Start by creating inspiration boards and collecting photos and images that inspire you.

Inspiration boards are much more than a simple wish list. They allow you to truly see what your project could look like once it’s completed. Look for trends or ideas you want to follow. Consider how others approached their renovations and how they achieved results similar to what you want. What do you like about a specific design? What would you do differently? Creativity fuels creativity, and inspiration leads to better decisions.

Do you want your home to feel fun and energetic? Are you looking for a space where a young family can grow and play? Or do you want to create a peaceful retreat where you can escape from the outside world? Give your renovation a clear purpose, and the plans will start to come together naturally.

2. Set Milestones and Short-Term Goals

Do you know what often determines your success as a “designer” and the overall success of the project?

We all want renovations to eventually come to an end, but achieving that successfully requires setting key goals before the work begins. This helps you stay on track with both your budget and your timeline.

Define short-term goals you want to reach during the project. A renovation can take a long time, and if you’re motivated only by the final result, it can be hard to maintain enthusiasm. Smaller goals allow you to see progress, celebrate milestones, and stay motivated for longer.

3. Be Realistic

What you see on renovation TV shows rarely reflects real life. It’s extremely common for people to underestimate how long a renovation will take. When creating your plan, consider all factors that may affect the timeline. Be sure to schedule time for rest as well. If you’re doing something for the first time, it will almost certainly take longer than expected.

There are also many hidden costs that can catch you off guard. When a contractor asks if you’d like to add extra features or upgrades, always ask yourself two questions: How much will it cost, and how long will it take? Often, these suggestions are simply a way to increase the final bill.

4. Define Your Core Priorities

During a renovation, you’ll constantly be making decisions. Should you replace the flooring? Are designer light fixtures worth the price? Should you hire a professional or do it yourself? If you’re renovating as a couple, these decisions can easily turn into heated discussions.

Determine what truly matters to you. Clear priorities help you make decisions faster and with less stress. Creating a wish list ranked by importance can be very helpful. Just remember that compromises between priorities and budget are almost always necessary.

5. Know Your Limits

You don’t know everything you don’t know. While trial and error may eventually get you to the finish line, advice from a professional can often get you there faster and at a lower cost. This doesn’t mean hiring professionals for everything — it can be as simple as talking to someone who has renovated recently or researching reliable advice online. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Talk to someone who has expertise in the area that concerns you. Always check whether your budget is realistic. If you have technical questions, find a specialist who can offer advice at a low cost or even for free. If you don’t want to discuss your own budget, ask others how much their renovation cost and whether they’re happy with the results.

6. Identify and Manage Risk Areas

Take time to identify risk areas that could significantly affect your ability to achieve your goals. Think about how you can minimize their impact or eliminate the risks altogether.

A practical example is demolition work during a home renovation. If you’ve never done this before and lack experience, estimating costs carries a higher risk. A poor estimate can become very expensive. To reduce this risk, contact a company that specializes in demolition and request a detailed quote. This will give you a clearer idea of how much money to set aside and help prevent your contingency fund from being drained.

7. Prepare Financially

A renovation is a major undertaking and requires a significant financial investment. The more detailed your plan is, the better you’ll be able to estimate the costs involved. This will help you decide whether your savings are sufficient, whether you should wait a few more months, or whether you need to consider financing.

It’s understandable that some people see short-term goals as unnecessary extra work, especially for small renovations or when time and money aren’t tight. However, regardless of the project size, planning is an excellent habit worth developing.

By applying the tips above, you’ll be forced to think through the entire project in detail. Every step will be carefully considered to help you reach your predefined final goal.

Planning is a mental challenge that involves every element of the renovation ahead of you. Yes, it takes time, but in the end, it leads to a successfully completed project that would require time and money anyway.

Photo: Yan Krukov, Pexels