Ready to Renovate? 6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Remodel

Springtime brings a fresh energy that’s perfect for starting a home remodel. Whether you’re planning to update your kitchen, refresh a bathroom, or take on a full transformation, it all begins with thoughtful preparation. I always tell clients: the more planning we do upfront, the smoother (and less stressful!) the renovation will be.

Here are six steps I walk through with every homeowner before we ever pick up a hammer.

1. Start with Your Vision

Before anything else, take a good look at your space and how you use it daily. What’s not working? What do you wish felt easier or more efficient? Now’s the time to grab a tape measure—literally. Measure your vanity, your cabinetry, your layout. Then head online (a site like Lowes.com works great) to check out pricing. For example, if you have a 60" vanity, see what a new one might cost. This gives you a clear picture of what materials might fit into your future budget.

While you're looking at pricing, gather inspiration. Save photos, collect samples, and start dreaming big. All of that helps create a design plan that reflects your style and makes the most of your space.

2. Create a Realistic Budget

When people ask where to begin with budgeting, I always say: start by deciding what number you absolutely don’t want to go over. You may not know what everything costs just yet, but you probably know what feels like too much—and that’s a helpful guide.

Once we have that number, we’ll begin building a budget around it. Looking at the cost of materials, setting priorities, and making a “must-have” vs. “nice-to-have” list helps a lot. I always suggest building in a 10–15% cushion for the unexpected. With the right planning, your budget becomes a tool—not a stressor.

3. Prep the Space

Before demo starts, the space needs to be cleared out—furniture, decor, items in drawers or cabinets, all of it. Label anything you’ll need during the remodel, and tuck away fragile or valuable items safely.

For kitchen remodels, I’ll help you figure out a temporary food prep area. If a bathroom’s under construction, we’ll make sure you have a solid backup plan. I want you to stay comfortable while your home is being transformed.

4. Protect What’s Not Being Touched

Renovation can be dusty and noisy—there’s no way around that—but we do everything possible to keep the mess contained. Plastic barriers, vent covers, and floor protection are all part of the prep. If furniture or rugs are nearby, we’ll move or cover them.

This kind of planning keeps your home cleaner and makes the end of the project a whole lot easier.

5. Communication Is Key—And That’s Where I Come In

One of the biggest perks of working with me is that I’m not just the designer—I’m also the project manager. That means you don’t have to juggle calls or worry about what’s next. I’ll coordinate everything with subcontractors, manage the timeline, and keep you in the loop through clear, consistent updates.

We’ll establish how you want to communicate—text, email, meetings—and you’ll always know who to reach out to (me!) if you have questions. Once the planning steps are done, you can relax knowing the details are being handled.

6. We Prepare Before the First Swing

The real magic happens before demo day. I make sure every project is ready to run smoothly from day one. That includes an on-site walkthrough with all subcontractors, a detailed design meeting focused on you and your home, and a clear contract that lays out expectations, timelines, and communication.

This kind of preparation ensures we start strong—and finish even stronger.

Preparation Makes All the Difference

A remodel doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right prep, good communication, and a clear plan in place, it can actually be a fun, exciting experience. When your home looks better, feels better, and works better for your life—it’s all worth it.

Let’s make that happen, together.

Ready to Start Your Remodel?