Renovation 101

Renovation 101

A step-by-step guide to planning, hiring, and managing a home renovation — from scope and bids through permits, change orders, and final payment.

  • Lesson 1

    Before You Tear Anything Down

    Most renovation problems start before demo day — when decisions are still fuzzy and the budget is just a guess. This lesson walks through the three pillars of renovation planning: scope, budget, and timeline.

    3:48

  • Lesson 2

    How to Get Bids That Actually Mean Something

    Three bids, same project, completely different numbers. This lesson shows you how to read, normalize, and compare contractor bids so you can choose with confidence — not just on price.

    4:17

  • Lesson 3

    Reading a Contractor Agreement (Without a Law Degree)

    Big check, dense contract, unclear protections. This lesson breaks down the contract sections that actually control your money, your scope, and your leverage — before you sign.

    3:34

  • Lesson 4

    Permits and Plans: What Your Contractor Should Be Handling

    Skipping permits rarely causes problems on demo day — the consequences show up during a home sale, insurance claim, or city inspection. This lesson explains what needs a permit and why your contractor should pull it.

    3:45

  • Lesson 5

    Managing the Job While You're Living in It

    Living through a renovation means making decisions around plastic sheeting, dust, and constant questions. This lesson gives you a communication cadence, a simple daily log, and a way to tell normal chaos from a real problem.

    3:33

  • Lesson 6

    Change Orders: Why Your Project Costs More Than the Quote

    The quote was one number. Now it is something else. This lesson explains what change orders are, how to tell a legitimate one from a bad estimate, and how to document every change so your budget stays under control.

    4:10

  • Lesson 7

    The Final Walkthrough: How to Inspect the Work Before You Pay

    The work looks finished. The contractor says the job is done. This lesson gives you a room-by-room inspection system, a punch list method, and a clear framework for making the final payment decision.

    4:15

  • Lesson 8

    When Things Go Wrong: Your Options Before, During, and After

    Most renovations don't end in dispute — but when a project drifts, the homeowners who do best have a roadmap. This lesson covers the prevention habits, early warning signs, and the full resolution ladder from negotiation to liens.

    4:19

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