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Finding a good whole house remodel contractor can be frustrating and time consuming.
It doesn’t have to be.
Our free service removes the anxiety and stress of remodeling. We personally match you with reputable contractors who have passed our rigorous 10-point vetting process. And we offer guidance and support throughout your project—from start to finish.
What Is Whole House Remodeling?
Whole house remodeling can dramatically transform your home, giving it a fresh look, feel, and layout.
Unlike a simple home renovation to update interior design features, whole house remodeling is a larger-scale project. In general, it means most of the house will be changed. Whole house remodeling typically involves gutting rooms from top to bottom and reconfiguring spaces or adding square footage to improve layout and functionality.
It’s a good option for growing families, and it’s often the most cost-effective choice for older homes that haven’t been updated in decades—if ever.
Planning a Whole House Remodel
Whether you’re remodeling a home that has been in the family for generations or flipping a home to earn cash, whole house remodeling requires careful planning and budgeting.
Your project should be well-thought-out and researched. Here are some important considerations:
Vision – A reputable home remodeling contractor will offer guidance and suggestions, but decisions regarding layout and aesthetics are ultimately up to you. Think about how you want the home to flow. Do you envision an open floor plan where rooms merge seamlessly, or do you prefer a more traditional layout? Scour magazines, websites, and your local home improvement store for ideas and inspiration.
Style and Design – You may already have a clear vision of your preferred style, whether it’s coastal, rustic, or mid-century modern. But unless you plan to stay in your home forever, choose a style that will stand the test of time. Don’t customize to the point that it becomes hard to resell your home years down the road. Consult with an interior designer if you think reselling at some point is in the cards.
Future Use – A newly remodeled home should last 20-30 years. If you plan to stay in your home forever, think about how your physical needs might change over time. Installing features like curbless showers, wider doorways, and stairs that can accommodate a chair lift might save you the hassle of future renovations.
Size – Are you willing to work with the square footage you already have, or do you need additional room—or even an additional floor? If adding onto your home is an option, a contractor can help you determine whether your project is viable and secure all the necessary permits.
Budget – Proper planning, preparation, and knowledge will help you get the most for your dollars and avoid going over-budget—a common issue with large-scale remodeling projects. The cost of surprise structural changes, code upgrades, and even things like hotel stays and eating out can add up quickly. It’s why experts say you should budget an additional 10-20% for unforeseen expenses.
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How Long Does a Whole House Remodel Take?
The timeline for a whole house remodeling project can vary significantly depending on the size of the home, the extent of the work, and the contractor’s availability. Most projects take from 3 months to a year.
For example, a mid-level remodeling project to completely gut and remodel the kitchen and bathrooms and renovate the living space and bedrooms might take 6-9 months.
Large projects that involve major structural changes—like adding a second floor—often take a year or more.
Home Remodeling Guides
Los Angeles Home Remodels
GreatBuildz Contractor services include:
Renovations & upgrades
Repairs & updates
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Pools and Outdoor Living
Roofing
Windows
Foundation
Additions
Gut remodel
Single Family homes
Apartments
Condos
Townhomes
Garages
New Construction
Flooring
Paint
Historic
2nd story
Exteriors
ADU and JADU (accessory dwelling unit)
Tips for Hiring a Contractor
Whole house remodeling is a big undertaking. There are lots of moving parts—from scheduling workers to ordering materials to securing permits. That’s why you need an experienced, reliable contractor with an excellent reputation.
Unfortunately, too many homeowners have a negative experience with their contractor. These tips can help you avoid common pitfalls:
Determine your budget. Cost overruns are a huge problem with whole house remodeling projects. Devote some time to research how much homeowners in your area paid for similar remodeling projects. This will help you establish a realistic budget.
Decide what features you want. Make a list of your project must-haves. Give the list to any remodeling company you’re considering, so every estimate will be based on the same factors.
Get three estimates. Reach out to at least three general contractors for estimates. Ask to see portfolios of similar projects the contractor has completed in your area. Getting several estimates will help you identify overpriced contractors and, conversely, companies that underprice their services because they cut corners.
Never pay more than a small deposit. If your contractor pressures you into paying a large deposit, this is a red flag. In California, contractors can’t legally ask for more than a $1,000 deposit. If a contractor asks for more, they are violating the law.
Don’t be afraid to walk away. Whole house remodeling is too big a project to take chances. If a prospective contractor uses aggressive sales tactics, isn’t responsive, or refuses to answer questions, it’s ok to walk away.
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Why Use GreatBuildz for Your Home Remodeling Project?
GreatBuildz is not an algorithm or an app. We’re a team of real-life humans committed to helping you bring your home improvement project to life.
We personally match you with highly recommended whole house remodel contractors who have passed our 10-point vetting process. We check each contractor’s background, references, and work experience, and we require that contractors commit to our code of conduct.
Don’t just Google “whole house remodel contractors near me.” Let GreatBuildz help you find an outstanding contractor.
Recent Home Remodeling Blogs
Whole House Remodeling FAQs
How much will it cost to fully renovate a house?
A whole house remodel in Los Angeles or Southern California will range from $200/sf to $400/sf. This article provides a breakdown of whole home remodel costs: https://www.greatbuildz.com/blog/2020-los-angeles-remodel-cost-guide/
Is it worth renovating a whole house?
Although most reports indicate that you wont recoup 100% of your investment in renovating a whole house when you go to sell, many people find the project is worthwhile because of the added enjoyment of living in a beautiful & functional space.
Should I remodel my bathroom or kitchen first?
Bathrooms are simpler, quicker and cheaper to remodel, so this would be the choice if you want less disruption to your life. Kitchens are a larger and more expensive project. However, most people spend much more time and get a ton of practical enjoyment from a new, remodeled kitchen.
How do you renovate a whole house?
The first step in executing a whole home remodel is to plan out and budget for the improvements you’re planning to make. If you plan on changing the layout of the home or moving, adding or removing walls, you’ll need to involve an architect or designer to help at this stage.
In what order should you renovate a house?
The very first thing to do in a whole house remodel is to start with planning stage and drawing out preliminary design plans. For a full list of steps involved in a whole home remodel from start to finish, check out this blog: https://www.greatbuildz.com/blog/whole-house-remodel-tips-los-angeles/
Is it cheaper to gut a house or rebuild?
If your house has a quality foundation and the framing of the home is in decent shape, it’s probable that gutting might be cheaper than rebuilding. By gutting your house, you’ll be saving the foundation, framing, subfloor, and roof trusses.
Is renovating an old house worth it?
An older house might be more expensive to renovate if the home’s systems have never been upgraded. However, the updates and upgrades that are made during a remodel will have a lot of value in terms of enjoyment by the occupants as well as resale value.
How long does it take to do a whole house remodel?
It could take from 3 to 12 months to complete an entire whole house remodel. If the remodel is primarily cosmetic and the home’s systems and layout are not being changed, the remodel will be on the shorter side. If you’re planning a gut remodel, assume it will be closer to 6-12 months.
Do I need to move out during a whole house remodel?
Moving out expedites construction because the contractor’s crew may concurrently work on all parts of the house. Others feel more at ease in their own houses, even if it means enduring the hardship of living without the use of a kitchen or certain bathrooms/bedrooms, etc.
Why do whole home remodels often have delays?
Realize that delays are likely and that your project might take 10 to 30 percent longer than anticipated. Set the expectation with your contractor that employees will be present at your residence each weekday. There are valid grounds for delays caused by legit problems or material difficulties. However, if the contractor’s personnel quit turning up regularly, you can conclude there is a larger problem you must solve.
How do I ensure my whole home remodel is energy efficient?
Consider noise and energy efficiency when remodeling your entire house. Consider replacing your windows if you want to reduce the amount of outdoor noise. Examine if upgrading your insulation, outdated water heater, and HVAC system would result in long term cost savings and increased efficiency. Consider installing a solar system to provide part or all of your electricity demands.
What are some ideas to have a successful whole home remodel?
During a complete home renovation, make as many decisions and material selections/purchases as early as feasible. Almost always, delaying the selection of materials will result in delays, as there is typically a wait time for shipping and delivery. In addition, if you don’t give your contractor clear instructions because you haven’t made a decision, it will normally cost you more to make the adjustment later in the project.
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