So, you’re ready to remodel your entire home. Maybe you’ve bought a fixer-upper. Maybe your space hasn’t been updated in decades. Or maybe it’s time to create a layout that actually works for your lifestyle.
Whatever your reason for a whole home remodel, also called a whole house renovation or complete home remodel (we’ll use these terms interchangeably), it’s a major project that requires some serious planning. But we promise you that it’s a worthwhile investment.
A whole home remodel goes beyond picking the right tiles for your bathrooms and reading up on interior design tips – though they’ll most likely be a part of your project. It’s about completely rethinking your home and how you live in it. Your complete home remodel will look like will depend on your goals and budget, but regardless it’s a huge project. With the right planning, however, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some estimates of how much a whole home remodel might cost you, how to start the process, the home remodeling timeframe, and how to choose the right remodeler.
How much does a whole home remodel cost?
There are so many factors that go into the cost of a full home renovation, that it can be hard to give you a clear answer as to much you can expect it to cost. How much you end up spending will depend on things like the materials and finishes you choose to the state that you live.
But of course, that’s not very useful to hear while you’re the initial stages of whole home planning! So here are some numbers to give you a ballpark:
According to Nerdwallet, you might spend anywhere from $15 to $150 per square foot depending on how big your house is, what kind of work you’re doing, and where you live. Smaller, lower-end projects can land under $20,000, while bigger projects can climb past $100,000.
Angi cites the same price per foot and states that the normal range for a full home renovation is between $19,489 – $88,393, with an average cost of $52,267 for homes between 1,200-1,600 square feet.
Finally, Houzz’s 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study listed $23,000 as the median renovation spend per household and the 90th percentile spend as $150,000.
Budgeting Tips for Your Full Home Renovation
Now that you have an idea of how much you can expect to spend, let’s talk budgeting. It’s far from the most exciting part of a complete home remodel, but it ‘s what sets the tone for the whole project.
Here are some tips we share with our clients:
- Start with the big picture: Think about what you really want out of this remodel. Better flow? More storage? A bigger kitchen? Prioritize those must-haves first.
- Leave wiggle room: Unexpected costs inevitably comes up. Building in a 10–20% buffer can save you from stress later.
- Know where to splurge and where to save: Some upgrades, like energy-efficient windows, quality cabinetry, or a layout that actually works, are worth it long-term. Other things (like high-end finishes) can wait or be swapped for budget-friendly lookalikes.
- Get quotes from licensed pros: Ballpark numbers are helpful early on, but actual estimates from a remodeler will give you the best idea of what’s doable with your budget.
Read more: How to Save Money On A Home Remodel: 7 Secret Tips
How to Start a Home Remodel
With the money talk out of the way, let’s get to the fun part, or maybe, the most overwhelming part!
With so much involved in a full home renovation, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s totally normal. Do you call a contractor? What questions should you ask a contractor? Design a new floorplan? Start thinking about interior design? Not quite. What’s important at this stage is taking things step by step.
Here’s how we recommend getting started:
1. Walk Through Your Home With Fresh Eyes
You probably already have a good idea of what you want to change about your home, but before diving into planning mode it’s important to think long and hard about it.
Take a slow walk through your home. What’s working and what’s not? What do you want to be different when it’s all said and done?
Make a room-by-room list. Include everything that you want to change, from awkward layouts to outlets that don’t work to the lack of pantry space that drives you crazy. This will give you a clearer starting point and help you with the next step of planning.
2. Define Your Goals
With your list from the previous step, it should be relatively easy to define your goals for your project.
But it’s also important to consider the big why behind your remodel. Do you want to modernize an outdated space? Open up walls and improve flow? Add functionality for a growing family? Increase resale value?
Whatever your goals are, listing them now will guide all of your future decisions moving forward.
3. Gather Inspiration (But Be Realistic)
Start collecting home upgrade ideas that match your taste and goals. Creating a Pinterest board or saving Instagram posts is a great way to get inspired, but remember to be realistic about what’s possible in your space and what your budget will allow for.
If you’re considering home layout changes, look for inspiration that includes floorplan ideas or before-and-after remodels. You don’t need to have it all figured out, but some visual references go a long way.
4. Talk to a Remodeler Early
Even if you’re not ready to sign a contract, it’s smart to start conversations with contractors sooner than later. We help folks all the time in this early stage, and are happy to provide free estimates if we have a detailed set of plans or scope of work.
If you’re not sure how to choose a home remodeler, look for someone who listens well, explains the process clearly, and doesn’t rush you. A good remodeler will help you plan your project right from the ground up. We’ll discuss choosing a remodeler in more detail later.
5. Start Thinking About Budget & Timeline
You don’t need final numbers yet, but having a rough idea of what you’re willing to spend, and when you’d ideally like to start, can help guide early decisions. If you’re hoping to have the project finished by a certain date or season, make sure to mention that in early conversations with the remodeler.
Home Remodel Planning: Timeline & Phases
Every remodel is a little different. Some move fast, others take their sweet time (usually for good reason). But no matter what kind of shape your house is in or how big the changes are, most whole home remodels follow a similar timeframe. The timelines we’ve provided below are only rough estimates as your remodel will depend on your project and how fast your remodeler moves.
Planning & Design (4-8 weeks)
This is when your Pinterest board and goals will come together. You’ll work with your remodeler and possibly a designer or architect to finalize the layout, make material selections, and get everything on paper.
Permits & Prepping (2-4 weeks)
Your contractor will need to apply for the necessary permits to carry out your full home renovation, along with lining up any subcontractors. This is also the time to start packing and figuring where to live during the remodel if you won’t stay at your home.
Demolition (1-2 weeks)
Time to tear things down. Demolition tends to be a quick process but sometimes surprises pop up, like hidden water damage, old wiring, or structural quirks that need addressing.
Construction (5-20+ weeks)
With permits in hand and demolition complete, the actual renovation can begin. From the initial behind-the-scenes electrical, plumbing, and framing work, to putting up new walls and installing cabinetry, this is when your new home will come together.
Related: 7 Stages of Building Your Custom Home: Everything to Know
How to Choose the Right Home Remodeler
Choosing the right home remodeler is probably the biggest decision you’ll have to make on your home remodel journey. After all, they’ll be the one responsible for bringing your vision to life. You’ll also have to trust them with your home, budget, and timeline.
The first thing to consider is experience. Some remodelers specialize in kitchen renovations or home additions, others handle complete home remodels. Look for someone who not only has experience with full home renovations, but has also worked on projects similar to yours. Make sure to take a look at their portfolio to see if their past work resonates with you.
If they have the right experience, the next thing to ask about is their process and communication style. Do they have a united design and build process or subcontract key aspects of the remodel? Do they communicate regularly? Do they have a dedicated project manager or point of contact? Asking questions like these will help paint a picture of what you can expect from working with them throughout the renovation process.
Finally, don’t overlook your gut feeling. You’ll be in regular contact with your remodeler for weeks or months, so they need to be someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
Questions to Ask a Home Remodeler
- What kinds of homes do you typically work on?
- What’s your process?
- What’s your approach to budgeting and scheduling?
- Do you handle design in-house or work with architects/designers?
- How do you handle surprises or project changes?
Where to Live During a Whole Home Remodel
Once you’re ready to get started on your home renovation project, the last piece of the puzzle is deciding where you’re going to live during the process.
If you’re remodeling your whole house all at once, it’s usually more practical (and less stressful) to live somewhere else during construction. There’s going to be noise, dust, crews in and out, and likely periods without power, plumbing, or a functioning kitchen. Not exactly cozy.
If that’s the case, your best bet is to look for a short-term rental or Airbnb nearby. Or if you have friends or family willing to put you up, that could save you some money.
On the other hand, if your remodel is going to be carried out in phases, or if you aren’t going to renovate every single room, it may be possible to continue living in your home during construction. Talk with your remodeler to see if this is possible.
Read more: Where To Live Temporarily While Building Your New Home in SC
Get Started On Your Dream Remodel
A whole home remodel is a big project, but it’s also a big opportunity. Done right, it can completely transform how your home looks, feels, and functions for years to come.
From setting a budget and choosing the right team, to figuring out timelines, temporary housing, and layout changes, there’s a lot to think through. But you don’t have to figure it all out alone. The right remodeler will guide you through the process and help you feel confident every step of the way.
If you’re remodeling a home in South Carolina, we’d love to be your remodelers. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve helped numerous homeowners remodel their houses into their dream homes.
Learn more about our whole home remodel services and check out our portfolio. If you have any questions, give us a call at (864) 800-9912 or contact us online.