Whole house remodel planning starts with three things: a clear list of what you want each room to do, a design that ties those rooms together, and decisions made before construction begins rather than during it. Get those right and the rest of the project, from permits to living arrangements, has a solid base to build on.
A whole home renovation is the biggest remodeling project most homeowners ever take on. It touches every system, every room and every part of daily life. This guide covers how we help homeowners prepare, in the order the decisions usually come up. For an overview of how we handle projects of this size, see our page on whole home remodeling in Pittsburgh.
Start Whole House Remodel Planning With Goals, Not Finishes
It is tempting to start with tile, cabinets and paint colors. Those choices matter, but they come later. The first step is to write down what is not working in the house today and what you want it to do instead.
- Which rooms feel too small, too dark or poorly connected?
- Where does the family actually spend time, and where does it not?
- What needs to change for the way you will live in the house over the long run, such as a first floor bedroom or an easier bathroom?
- Which problems are cosmetic, and which are about systems like wiring, plumbing, heating or water getting in?
- What do you love about the house that should stay?
This list becomes the brief for the design. It also helps you rank priorities if the full wish list does not fit the budget, so the most important rooms get done right.
A whole home plan is the moment to make choices that carry through the house. Flooring is a good example: one material running through connected rooms looks intentional, while separate choices made room by room can leave mismatched transitions.
The same thinking applies to trim profiles, door styles, paint and lighting. Deciding them once, for the whole house, is easier than deciding them again in every room.
A finished room with new white oak flooring and fresh paint.
Design the Whole House Before Construction Begins
With goals in hand, the next step is design. This is where layouts are drawn, walls are moved on paper and materials are chosen. At JL Home Builders, every project is designed in our showroom, where homeowners can see and compare samples in person, and then built by our own crew. Keeping design and construction under one roof means the people drawing the plan are the same people responsible for building it.
If you are still deciding how to staff the project, our post comparing design build and a general contractor explains how the two models differ.
Layout and structure
Which walls move, which rooms change size, and how traffic flows through the house. These decisions affect everything after them.
Systems
Wiring, plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation. A whole home project is often the best chance to bring these up to date.
Selections
Cabinets, counters, tile, flooring, fixtures, doors and trim. Making these early keeps the build on track.
Plan the Budget Before the Design Is Final
A budget is not just a number. It is a set of priorities. Share your range early so the design can match it, and plan a cushion for conditions no one can see until walls are open. Older homes in particular can reveal outdated wiring, plumbing or framing that has to be addressed before finishes go in.
Our guide on setting a realistic home remodel budget walks through how to build that cushion.
The most expensive decision in a whole home remodel is the one made late. Changes after work starts can mean undoing finished work. Settle the major choices during design.
Permits and Inspections
Larger renovations often involve permits and inspections, but the requirements vary by municipality and by the type of work. Around Pittsburgh, a project in one community can follow different steps than the same project a few miles away. For every job, we check with the local office about what is needed and handle the applications as part of the project.
What you can do as a homeowner is make your decisions early. Permit applications usually need drawings and a defined scope, so a finished design helps that process move forward. Our post on whether you need a permit to remodel covers the questions to ask.
Older homes deserve extra care in planning. Many were built with materials that are no longer used, and some older paint, insulation and flooring may contain lead or asbestos. Testing before demolition, where it applies, tells everyone what is there and how it needs to be handled.
Planning also means thinking about storage. Closets are easy to overlook, but a whole home project is a good time to rework them while the surrounding walls and floors are already being updated.
An empty closet with a new shelf, a clothes rod and fresh baseboard.
Decide Where You Will Live During the Work
One of the biggest planning questions is whether to stay in the house. Some families stay through the whole project, moving from room to room as work progresses. Others find it easier to stay elsewhere for some or all of it, especially when the kitchen and bathrooms are torn out at once.
Staying in the house
Plan which rooms stay usable, set up a temporary kitchen, and agree on how dust, noise and access will be handled each day.
Staying elsewhere
Gives the crew open access and spares the household the disruption. It also makes sense for anyone sensitive to dust or noise.
Either way, our guide to preparing your home for a major renovation has a practical checklist for packing, protecting belongings and getting the house ready.
Prepare the House, the Family and the Neighbors
- Pack and store. Clear the rooms being worked on, and protect furniture in the rooms nearby. Fragile items and valuables should be moved out of the work areas.
- Plan for pets and kids. Work areas are not safe places to play. Decide where they will spend the day and how doors will stay closed.
- Talk to the neighbors. Let them know about deliveries, a dumpster and work hours. A little notice goes a long way.
- Set up communication. Agree on how questions and changes will be handled and who your point of contact is.
- Review the contract. Make sure the scope, selections and change process are in writing.
The kitchen is usually the center of a whole home plan. It often connects to the dining and living areas, and changes to its layout ripple through the rooms around it.
Planning it alongside the rest of the house lets the cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting work with the spaces it opens into, instead of being designed in isolation.
A white kitchen with a center island, pendant lights and stainless steel appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes first when planning a whole house remodel?
Start with a list of what is not working and what you want each room to do. That list guides the design, the budget and the order of the work.
Should you hire an architect or a contractor first?
It depends on the project. With a design and build company like ours, design and construction happen under one roof, so the design is drawn with the build in mind. Some projects with major structural changes may also involve other professionals.
Do you need permits for a whole home renovation?
Many larger projects do, but requirements vary by municipality and by the type of work. We check with the local office for every job.
Can you live in your house during a whole home remodel?
Many families do, with a plan for which rooms stay usable and how dust is controlled. Others choose to stay elsewhere for part of the project. We talk it through during design.
How long does a whole home renovation take?
Every project is different. The scope, the selections and the condition of the house all play a part, and we go over the schedule for your project once the design is set.
Related reading
Ready to start planning? JL Home Builders is a family owned company that has served Pittsburgh, the South Hills and the North Hills since 2010. Book a free in home consultation and we will walk the house with you and talk through your goals.
