Timeline for a Full Home Remodel in Orange County, CA

Understanding Whole Home Remodels

First, let’s break down the basics of a full home remodel to help you understand what these types of remodel projects entail. 

What Is Considered a Complete or Whole House Remodel?

A complete or whole house remodel is a complete overhaul of a home that typically includes significant structural and functional changes to most (or all) or the interior and/or exterior within a single project. These types of remodels often include layout redesign, window and door replacement, and updates to the home’s systems (like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC) to bring everything up to code. These types of projects are big financial investments and labor-intensive, especially if you plan to strip the house down to the studs or rebuild the foundation in the most extreme cases. 

Key Terminology for Whole Home Remodels

If you yourself aren’t a remodeling expert, you’re likely unfamiliar with much of the terminology used in whole home remodels. Here are a few terms you’ll need to know to help you navigate the process: 

Estimates, Proposals, Invoices

• Estimate: An initial high-level calculation of the project’s potential cost. It is a non-binding, educated assessment to help homeowners and contractors determine the practicality of the project with the homeowner’s available budget. 
• Proposal: A formal, detailed written document presented to the homeowner after they have approved the initial estimate. This includes details on the scope of work, work schedule, cost, breakdown, project specifications, payment schedule, change order process, drawings and renderings, and legal information. This document serves as the foundation for the final contract. 
• Invoice: A formal request for payment submitted by the contractor at regular intervals or after the completion of key milestones, as agreed upon in the payment schedule. 

Budgets: A detailed financial plan that outlines all anticipated costs, including design, materials, labor, and unforeseen expenses for the completion of the remodel. Budgets are critical for ensuring the remodel stays within the homeowner’s set spending limits.

General Contractors & Subcontractors

• General contractor: A professional who manages a construction project from start to finish and serves as the primary point of contact for the property owner. They oversee all aspects of the remodel, including managing subcontractors, coordinating schedules, procuring materials, and ensuring the work complies with local building codes and safety regulations. 
• Subcontractor: An individual or company hired by a general contractor to perform a specified portion of a larger construction project. Subcontractors bring specialized skills and experience to projects, like plumbing, electrical, or carpentry. 

Project Plans and Materials

• Project plan: A detailed document outlining the goals, scope, timelines, and a budget that serves as a roadmap for both the homeowner and general contractor, covering design details, material selection, contractor information, permit requirements, and contingency planning for unexpected issues to ensure project completion success. 
• Materials: All structural elements, exterior finishes, interior finishes, and fixtures being used to complete the home remodel. The types of materials depend on the specifics of each project, including scope, budget, design style, and desired functionality. 

Home Finishes: the visible surface materials that define a home’s style and functionality. This includes everything from flooring, cabinets, countertops, flooring, exterior siding, hardware, lighting, and decorative fixtures. 

Planning Your Remodel

One of the most crucial aspects in determining a whole home remodel timeline is a detailed plan that charts every step of the process from start to finish. But where should you start? There are a few initial steps that will help set you up for success before any construction begins. 

Setting Your Goals

Having a clear vision of your goals and the end result you’d like to achieve is key to a successful project. This allows you to communicate specifics to your general contractor so they can have clear details to execute each part of the project to your personal preferences. Knowing these goals also helps to establish a practical budget and can help you decide what you need to remove or add if you need to reprioritize certain features due to budget constraints. 

Determining Budget

Any home remodel wouldn’t be possible without a budget. Knowing how much you can afford to spend on your remodel and setting a realistic budget are essential to a successful project. But even if you don’t have the cash in hand to complete your remodel, there are options to help homeowners fund their home improvements. 

• Financing Options
  
  • Home equity loan: A fixed-rate loan that provides a lump sum of cash, paid back by the homeowner over a set period. This type of loan is great for one-time remodeling projects. 
  • Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A revolving line of credit that allows you to borrow funds as needed. HELOCs typically have variable interest rates and are best suited for ongoing or phased remodels.
• Cost Considerations for Single Rooms vs. Whole Home

As you might expect, a single-room remodel costs less upfront, but a whole-home remodel can actually be more cost-effective per square foot in the long run thanks to bulk materials pricing.

Cost comparisons:
Whole-home remodel

• Projected cost: $15–$150 per square foot for standard remodels, $90,000–$300,000+ for a full gut and remodel
• Economies of scale: Lower cost per square foot
• Project timeline: Longer timeline
• Financing: Significant upfront investment

Single-room remodel

• Projected cost: $15–$250 per square foot depending on the room
• Economies of scale: Higher cost per square foot
• Project timeline: Shorter timeline
• Financing: Ability to finance projects individually

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Additional cost considerations 

• Permits: A single-room refresh may not require permits. A whole-home remodel requires multiple permits and inspections.
• Contingency funds: Factor unforeseen expenses into your budget. An extra 10–20% of total remodel budget is recommended for these funds, particularly for whole-home remodels. 
• Temporary living accommodations: A whole-home remodel may require temporary relocation or lodging, adding additional expenses to your total budget.

Gathering Inspiration and Ideas

To make sure your vision is brought to life exactly the way you envision it, gathering inspiration to share with interior designers and contractors is essential. Save inspiration from online resources like Pinterest, Instagram, Houzz, and design blogs. Create Pinterest boards or saved files and organize them into each room you’re planning to remodel for easy reference for both you and your remodeling team throughout the project. Having actual visual examples of your design ideas is helpful to ensure everyone is on the same page about the desired results of your remodel.

Planning the Design

Once you have your design vision, you’ll want to set a plan for how to execute your ideas and decide what, if anything, you can do yourself and what kinds of professionals you need to hire to complete the design to your specifications and standards. 

• DIY vs. Contractor Work

While it may seem like the more cost-effective route to take a DIY approach to your home remodel design, it’s important to realistically assess your abilities and what level of work you feel comfortable taking on. If you start a DIY project without proper knowledge or preparation, you may end up with more issues that need professional attention, ultimately costing you more than hiring professionals from the start. Simple design tasks like painting, minor carpentry, or decor updates are feasible to take on for most people. For complex tasks like electrical work, structural changes, and anything requiring permits should be left to professionals.

• Working With Architects or Interior Designers

Architects and designers can help you plan and execute your home design to get the best possible results. Architects specialize in a building’s structure, function and exterior elements. Experienced interior designers are experts in aesthetics, materials, and furnishings. For complex projects, and particularly whole home remodels, working with either or both an architect or interior designer from the start of your project is recommended for a cohesive, well-executed result. 

Hiring the Right Professionals

It’s always recommended to work with professionals for a whole home remodel, but it’s important to hire the right professionals to achieve project success. 

Selecting Contractors and Subcontractors

In Orange County, there are plenty of contractors and subcontractors to choose from, which can make it overwhelming to select the right people to take on your remodel. There are some important factors to consider when selecting a contractor.

• Evaluating Credentials and Portfolios
  Always review a contractor’s credentials to ensure they’re licensed, insured and certified to complete the work your project requires. To get a better understanding of their quality of work, also be sure to review their portfolios before selecting a contractor. 

• Communication and Responsiveness
  Before construction begins, establish expectations for how and when the contractor will communicate with you throughout the project. Clear communication and regular updates can ease stress and keep you updated on progress.

Understanding Building Codes and Permits

When selecting a contractor in Orange County, be sure to confirm that they are well-versed in local building codes and permit requirements. This will help to keep timelines on track and avoid larger issues down the road. 

Developing a Detailed Remodel Plan

Once you have your design plan and team to execute it, it’s time to build your remodel plan. These are the details it should include for a project that runs as smoothly as possible:

Considering Functionality and Efficiency‍

While aesthetics matter, functionality and efficiency are essential for a home that supports your every day routine. Especially in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, functionality is key. 

You also want to make sure you prioritize energy-efficient upgrades, like improved insulation, energy-saving windows, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. This can not only lower your future utility bills but also increase the overall value of your home.

Selecting Materials and Finishes Carefully

• When choosing which materials and finishes to include in your remodel, you want to find the right balance between budget and quality. While it might seem smarter to choose the cheapest option in the short-term, a high-quality material will actually save you more long-term since it offers more durability to usual wear and tear. High-traffic surfaces like countertops, flooring, and plumbing fixtures are smart higher-end investments. However, you can go with budget options on materials like lighting, cabinetry, and decorative elements.  

Creating a Timeline for Each Stage

In order to maintain a clear timeline, consider the necessary timing for each stage of the remodeling process. Generally, this is how much time you should expect each step to take: 

• HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing: 2–3 weeks
• Carpentry (Structural and Non-Structural): Structural carpentry can take 2–6 weeks. Non-structural carpentry can last 4–8 months to complete.
• Fixtures and Appliances: 1–2 weeks
• Windows and Doors: 2–4 days
• Wall Insulation and Drywall: Insulation depends on extent of the remodel. Drywall typically takes 1–2 weeks to complete.
• Flooring: 1–2 weeks
• Paint and Wallpaper: 1–2 weeks
• Exterior Work: Depending on the scope of the project and size of the home, exterior work can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months.

Preparing the Home for Construction

Once you’ve established a clear plan and timeline, it’s time to start preparing your home to begin construction. Here are some key things to consider:

Moving and Protecting Belongings

Keep your belongings safe and free of debris from construction. This will likely require moving items out of your home and into temporary storage for a full-scale home remodel. You may be able to cover larger items carefully depending on the extent of the work within that space. Be sure to protect any valuables or important documents in a secure safe or off-site storage.

Waste Management and Demolition

Before the demo begins, establish a clear plan with your contractor regarding any materials that will be salvaged or reused, what will be recycled, and which materials will need to be removed by waste management. For anything that you plan to recycle or reuse, carefully remove those materials to minimize waste, reduce costs, and make sorting easier for recycling and disposal. 

Maintaining Air Quality and Safety

Particularly in older homes, it’s important to check for hazardous materials before work begins. Materials like asbestos, lead paint, and some chemicals must be handled carefully and disposed of properly by certified professionals to abide by local regulations.

Execution and Monitoring

Once work begins on your whole home remodel, careful coordination and clear communication is critical for a successful project and stress-free experience. 

Coordinating Subcontractors and Trades

Your general contractor is responsible for coordinating with all subcontractors and tradespeople involved with the remodel project. They are your primary point of contact to stay updated on the progress of all parts of the construction, so close coordination with each person involved is essential.

Communicating Effectively

Plan for frequent check-ins and regular, open communication between you and your general contractor throughout the project. Ask questions throughout the process to ensure you have all the details you need to make informed decisions if and when changes are needed to the original plan or timeline. 

Monitoring Progress and Staying on Budget

Your general contractor should provide you with regular updates, notify you of delays, and let you know if change orders are needed. Unexpected changes are often part of the process when remodeling your home, so these updates are important to help you stay on budget and keep the remodel on track.

Final Inspections and Completion

Before construction can be deemed complete and the property can be occupied, a final inspection by a professional inspector must be conducted to ensure all safety and quality standards are met and receive a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Here’s what you need to consider for final inspections: 

Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Inspections

Ensure all major systems in the home are tested and fully inspected to ensure they are functioning properly—and safely.

Appliance and Fixture Installation Checks

Assess all plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, power switches, and all essential appliances are properly installed and connected to the correct power source. 

Identifying Imperfections or Damage

During final stages of the remodel, note any details that may be incomplete, damaged, or have any imperfections. You’ll want to document any items that need to be repaired in a “punch list,” to be addressed by your contractor before the final inspection. 

Ensuring Compliance with Permits and Codes

The inspector will verify that all the work completed in the remodel meets current local building codes and regulations, has been properly permitted, and completed according to the requirements of those permits.

Post-Remodel Considerations

Once your remodel has been completed, it’s time to enjoy your newly renovated home! As with any project, once it’s done, you’re likely to start thinking about what comes next. Take the results of your remodel into consideration as you start to plan for future upgrades. 

Evaluating Results Against Initial Goals

First, it’s smart to reflect on the initial goals you set when planning your remodel and evaluate how the end results align with those goals. Did the updates meet your specifications? Have the changes you requested delivered the results you were hoping, visually and functionally? These are important questions to answer at this point in the process.

How to Save on Future Renovations

Now that you’ve completed a home remodel, you’ll be better prepared for your next home improvement project. When it comes to saving on your future renovation costs, you can use your experience to know how to design the plan for your next remodel, including early preparation, strategic purchase timing, and smart material choices. There are also financing options you can explore that provide incentives for energy-efficient upgrades and green building. 

In Orange County, you can also benefit from renovating during the off-season. Orange County contractors often offer 5–15% discounts during fall and winter when construction demand slows. 

FAQ

• What’s the best order to remodel a home?

1. Foundation, Structural & System Upgrades
   In most cases, it is best to start with exterior and structure updates (roof, foundation, siding), followed by major system upgrades (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) before closing up walls. Structural changes and framing to define a new layout will come next.

2. Enclosing & Concealing
   This phase should prioritize insulation installation once rough electrical and plumbing inspections are complete. Next up, drywall should be hung and finished before completing this phase by painting walls and ceilings.

3. Finishes & Function
   Now, new flooring can be installed, followed by baseboards, door trim, and cabinetry. Then install hardware for cabinets before applying final coats of paint on cabinets and trim. Complete functional elements by installing lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures and essential appliances.

4. Final Touches
   Finally, you can complete any remaining exterior work, like painting the house or adding landscaping if desired. After all work is completed, a thorough cleaning is necessary to prepare the home for livability.

• What are the most expensive remodeling projects?
  In Orange County, the most expensive remodeling projects include kitchen renovations with high-end materials and appliances, whole-home remodels with significant structural and layout updates, custom bathroom renovations with luxury finishes, and new construction of custom luxury residences.

• Renovating vs. Remodeling: What’s the difference?A renovation entails cosmetic, structural, and layout changes while keeping the same overall design. A remodel includes changes to the structure or function of a space, and usually involves significant layout alterations, moving of walls, or expanding the home’s footprint.
  

Tips for Making Your Remodel More Efficient and Profitable

• Focus on High-End Projects
  Rather than trying to tackle every small-scale update needed in your home, it will ultimately be more efficient to prioritize high-end projects that will result in higher profit when you decide to sell your home.  

• Leverage Software to Improve Efficiency
  Today, there are ample tech-powered solutions to help make your home remodel projects more efficient. With options like Revive AI and RenoVision, you can easily find insights to inform your decisions, budget smarter, and visualize upgrades before you begin the process. 

• Develop Strategic Partnerships
  When you have a trusted renovation partner, you can have more peace of mind embarking on your next home improvement project. At Revive, you can enjoy a more stress-free experience, thanks to our trusted contractor network, price assurance, expert guidance, and track record of high-quality project completion. Contact us to learn more about our renovation programs before you start your next project!