Planning a major home renovation?

Done correctly, landscaping can elevate your home's worth, comfort, and kerb appeal. Done incorrectly, it can suck your budget dry and cause you more issues than you began with.

Here's the thing:

The single biggest factor between a successful renovation and one that becomes a nightmare is … planning. Not luck. Not how much money you spend. Planning.

What You'll Discover:

1. What Counts as a Major Home Renovation?

2. Why Renovation Spending Is Booming Right Now

3. How To Build Your Renovation Plan Step by Step

4. The Projects That Deliver the Best ROI

5. The Renovation Mistakes That Will Cost You

What Counts as a Major Home Renovation?

A major home renovation covers any large overhaul to the structure or systems in a home. This includes complete kitchen renovations, bathroom additions, roof replacements, HVAC systems, and new electrical or plumbing.

If it needs a permit, a contractor license or several thousand dollars… it's BIG. Don't embark on a major renovation without a plan.

Why Renovation Spending Is Booming Right Now

Homeowners are pouring money into their properties like never before.

Americans spent over $603 billion on renovations in 2024, reports National Association of Realtors® and NARI data. That number is about 50% higher than prepandemic levels – and will continue to be over $600 billion through 2025.

Why the boom? Home renovations. Home values are still high and interest rates have made moving difficult for most homeowners. Instead of moving, they're renovating. However, few things go more unnoticed when starting a home renovation project than your roof. Before that beautiful new kitchen or sparkling bathroom remodel, contact a trusted Roofing Contractor in Puyallup or licensed professional roofers near you to examine the most important structural component of a home. Call them first. Every dollar spent on renovations is put into jeopardy if the roof is compromised.

Median spending for renovations in 2024 was $20,000. The best money spent, however — is ahead of time. 85% of homeowners spent money on unexpected repairs in 2024. Plan as much as possible upfront!

How To Build Your Renovation Plan Step by Step

Most homeowners skip this part.

They skip right to the fun part - Pinterest boards, tile samples, appliance showrooms. Without a plan, budgets get out of control and timelines implode.

Here is the step-by-step method that works.

Step 1: Set a Firm Budget

Everything starts here. Without a real number, every other decision is just guesswork.

A good rule of thumb is to keep the overall remodeling budget no more than 30% of the home's value. This protects the investment when it comes time to sell and helps avoid over-improving. Add at least 10-20% to whatever the estimated budget is ― surprises are inevitable when renovating.

Construction material costs rose between 6-10% heading into 2025 from most vendors. Get contractor quotes early to prevent price increases during construction.

Step 2: Prioritise Structural Work First

Here's the order that smart homeowners follow:

1. Roof and exterior envelope — waterproofing, windows, siding

2. Core systems — plumbing, electrical, HVAC

3. Kitchens and bathrooms

4. Cosmetic upgrades — paint, flooring, fixtures

Seems simple. But many homeowners will paint the interior while a roof leak is silently staining behind the walls. Think "outside in."

Nationwide, asphalt shingle roofs provide homeowners with approximately 57% ROI when it comes time to sell. That easily beats the return on a basic kitchen remodel and costs far less.

Step 3: Hire the Right Contractors

This is where most renovations either succeed or fall apart completely.

Choosing the wrong contractor results in delays, cost overruns and quality issues that end up costing more to fix. Look for these red flags BEFORE signing on the dotted line:

• Licensing and insurance: Non-negotiable. Always verify both with the relevant state body.

• References and reviews: Ask for them. Actually call them.

• Written contracts: Scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule — all in writing.

• Itemised pricing: Vague quotes lead to disputes. Get the full breakdown upfront.

Get three quotes minimum on every trade. Price is important, but value exceeds price.

Step 4: Pull the Right Permits

Skipping permits is one of the most expensive shortcuts a homeowner can take.

Work done without permits causes big problems when it's time to sell. Some mortgage companies won't finance properties that have had structural work done without permits. Find out about local permitting requirements early, and allow time for processing well before the planned start dates.

The Projects That Deliver the Best ROI

Not every renovation is worth the investment. Here's where the smart money goes.

Roof replacements, garage door replacements and steel front door replacements always bring in a high return. Small kitchen remodels and bathroom updates also do well — particularly if all the underlying house systems are updated. Luxury remodels often recoup less than $.50 on the dollar at resale, so temper your upgrades to the market.

Energy-efficient updates are becoming popular quickly as well. Better insulation, HVAC and new roofing materials can help decrease future utility bills while increasing value over time. Several states have tax incentives for qualifying green updates as well which makes the ROI even stronger.

The Renovation Mistakes That Will Cost You

The same mistakes come up time and time again:

• No contingency fund: Overruns are almost universal. Plan for them before they happen.

• Cosmetics before structure: Fix what's broken before making things look beautiful.

• Rushing contractor selection: The cheapest quote typically costs the most by the end.

• Skipping permits: Saves time now, creates legal and financial headaches later.

• Renovating for trends: Timeless improvements hold their value far better than fashionable ones.

The root of every failed renovation? A lack of planning.

Before the First Hammer Swings

One of the largest purchases you'll ever make is likely to be a major home renovation.

Home improvement doesn't have to be scary. With a budget you can manage, the right sequence of projects, and qualified tradespeople — it's actually pretty simple. Tackle structural things first. Focus on expert roofer services and crucial systems. Then move inward with the upgrades that make your house feel like home.

To quickly recap:

• Set a firm budget with a 10-20% contingency built in

• Always start with roofing, plumbing, and electrical before cosmetics

• Hire licensed and insured contractors — get three quotes minimum

• Pull the correct permits for every trade that requires one

• Focus renovations on projects with proven, long-term ROI

Get the foundation right. Everything else follows naturally.