10 Things to Know Before You Start a Home Renovation

Renovating your home is exciting, but it's rarely simple. Between choosing finishes, setting a budget, and living around construction, it's easy to feel overwhelmed before the work even begins. To help you start off on the right foot, our Renovation team put together the planning, design, and construction advice we wish every homeowner knew going in.

Planning

1. Determine your renovation goals early.

Before you pick a single finish, decide what you're actually renovating for. Are you updating your home to enjoy for years to come, or preparing it to sell in the next few years? If it's the latter, lean toward finishes with broad appeal for big-ticket items like cabinets, countertops, and tile, and save bold colour and pattern choices for easy-to-change pieces like pillows, artwork, and accessories.

2. Get more than one quote - and compare them properly.

The lowest quote isn't always the least expensive project in the end. A lot of what drives renovation costs is hidden behind your walls, and it only shows up once work is underway. Get quotes from a few contractors, ask what's included (and what isn't), and pay attention to how clearly each one explains their process - not just the bottom-line number. The right fit matters as much as the right price.

3. Think about how the renovation will affect your daily routine.

Depending on the scope, a renovation can take over parts of your home for weeks or months at a time. Talk with your contractor early about which spaces will be affected and for how long, so you can plan around it - whether that means setting up a temporary kitchen or, for bigger projects, budgeting for somewhere else to stay during the most disruptive stretch.

4. Do your homework on who you're hiring.

Ask questions, check references, and don't be afraid to interview a few companies before deciding. A contractor who takes the time to understand your goals and explain the process clearly is a good sign of how the rest of the project will go.

Design

5. Get clear on your design style before you start picking finishes.

Apps like Pinterest and Houzz are a great way to figure out what you're drawn to - and just as importantly, what you're not. Bring examples to your first design conversation; it helps your team translate your taste into a plan faster.

6. Once your plan is set, trust it.

Every change after work is underway can mean delays and added cost. It's normal to have small doubts partway through, but revisiting decisions mid-project is one of the most common ways a renovation budget and timeline slip. Take your time upfront, then stay the course.

7. Budget for the finishing touches, not just the big-ticket items.

Cabinets, counters, and flooring get most of the attention, but it's often the smaller details - hardware, lighting, trim, accessories - that make a space feel finished. Set aside a portion of your budget for these from the start so they don't get squeezed out later.

8. Choose a team you feel genuinely comfortable with.

A renovation is a personal process, often happening in the middle of your daily life. If something feels off with a contractor or designer before you've even signed on, trust that instinct - the right fit makes the entire project easier.

Construction

9. Set a realistic schedule - and expect it to take real time.

Even a well-planned renovation can hit the unexpected once walls come down, especially in older homes. On top of that, custom counters, cabinetry, and specialty materials are made to order, not picked up off a shelf - if something arrives damaged, a replacement can take weeks, not days. A good contractor will flag issues early and walk you through the options as they come up.

10. Build in room for delays and cost overruns.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for 10–15% above your estimate in both time and budget - we often recommend closer to 20% for larger projects. It's not a sign that something has gone wrong; it's just how renovations work.

Work With Our Renovation Team

Renovating is a big decision, but you don't have to figure it out alone. Founded in 2017, Jackman Renovation has grown into a full team - led by Vice President Nathan Subject, alongside project managers, foremen, and skilled tradespeople - handling everything from kitchen and bathroom renovations to accessibility upgrades and whole-home projects across Waterloo Region.

If you're ready to start planning, request a quote (link to /renovation) and our team will walk you through what's possible for your space.