For a lot of families it starts the same way: "someday" the kitchen, "someday" the floors, "someday" the whole house. A whole house remodel is one of the biggest projects you will ever take on, and the hardest part is often knowing where to start and who to trust. This guide walks you through planning a whole house remodel step by step: setting priorities, the right order of work, what shapes the timeline, living through it, and how to compare contractor bids so you can choose with confidence.
Step 1: Make one honest list
Walk every room and write down what bothers you, what does not work, and what you dream about. Then sort the list into three groups:
| Group | Examples | Why it comes first or last |
|---|---|---|
| Must fix | Roof leaks, old wiring, plumbing problems, foundation movement | Everything else sits on top of these |
| Should change | Layout, a closed-off kitchen, too few bathrooms | Changes walls, plumbing and electrical |
| Want to refresh | Floors, paint, fixtures, cabinets | Finishes go in last |
The right order of work
A whole house remodel goes in a logical order so no one has to undo finished work:
- Planning and permits: drawings if walls move, permits, ordering long-lead items like windows and cabinets.
- Structure and outside: foundation, roof, framing changes, windows and exterior doors.
- Systems: plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling, while the walls are open.
- Insulation and drywall: close the walls once systems pass inspection.
- Finishes: cabinets, counters, tile, flooring, trim, paint, fixtures.
- Final touches: punch list, cleaning, final inspections.
What shapes the timeline
Every house is different, so a fair contractor will give you a schedule by phase instead of a single promise. The biggest factors are:
- How many rooms change, and whether walls, plumbing or wiring move
- Permits and inspections in your city or county
- Lead times for windows, cabinets, custom items and special tile
- Decisions: every late choice on finishes can pause the work
- Surprises behind the walls in older homes
Living through a whole house remodel
Whether you can stay depends on the scope. If the work is phased, you may keep a working bathroom and a temporary kitchen (a fridge, a microwave and a table in another room). For gut renovations, major electrical or plumbing work, or heavy dust, many families stay with relatives or rent nearby for part of the project. Plan for pets, kids' routines and where your furniture will go.
Plan for surprises before they happen
Older homes keep secrets: soft subfloor under the old tile, wiring that no longer meets code, a pipe that was patched decades ago. None of that means the project went wrong. It means the walls are finally open. The families who stay calm through a whole house remodel are the ones who expected a few surprises from day one.
- Keep a reserve in your budget for things found behind the walls, and do not spend it on upgrades until the walls are closed.
- Ask each contractor what they usually find in homes the age of yours, and how they price it when they do.
- Agree in writing that any surprise work gets a change order with the price and the effect on the schedule before it starts.
Choose finishes early
The fastest way to stall a remodel is waiting on decisions. Pick your cabinets, counters, tile, flooring, plumbing fixtures and light fixtures before demolition starts, or at least before the walls close. Long-lead items like windows and custom cabinets can take weeks to arrive, and the crew cannot install what is not on site.
What to have ready before you post
- Your sorted list: must fix, should change, want to refresh
- Photos of every room, plus any problem areas up close
- Rough measurements, or any plans or drawings you already have
- Your ideal start month, and any dates the house must be livable
- Whether you plan to stay in the house during the work
The more complete your post, the more accurate and comparable the bids will be.
One general contractor or the trades yourself?
Most whole house remodels need someone to run the whole job: schedule each trade, order materials, pull permits and keep the work in order. That is what a general contractor does. Some experienced homeowners manage the trades themselves on smaller phases. Our guide Do I need a general contractor? explains the trade-offs.
How to compare whole house remodel bids
Bids for big projects only make sense when they cover the same work. Write one scope with your list, photos and any drawings, and send the same scope to everyone. Then compare:
| Compare | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Scope | Every room and item on your list, nothing missing |
| Materials and allowances | What is included, and what you still choose later |
| Schedule | A phase-by-phase plan, not one date |
| Payments | Payments tied to finished stages of work |
| Permits | Who pulls them and handles inspections |
| Warranty | What is covered and for how long, in writing |
Questions to ask before you sign
- Have you done whole-house projects like mine? Can I see photos or talk to past clients?
- Who will be on site day to day, and how will we communicate?
- How do you handle surprises behind the walls and change orders?
- Do you carry insurance, and any license my city or state requires? Ask for proof and check it.
- Read our guide on protecting yourself when hiring a contractor before you sign.
Get whole house remodel bids on BidHandyman
Post your whole project once, with your list and photos. Only pros approved by BidHandyman can bid. Compare their bids side by side, message them with questions, and hire the one you trust, with no obligation. Make someday this year. Post your whole house remodel, or read about kitchen remodels and bathroom remodels.