Podcast for Homeowners Preparing to Renovate
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08: Why Most Renovations Fail in the Planning Stage — How to Master Project Management
The Remodel Timeline Most Homeowners Get Wrong
(And How to Avoid Costly Scheduling Mistakes)
If you’ve ever wondered,
“What actually happens after the design is done?”
you are not alone.
This is one of the most common questions I get from homeowners heading into construction — and honestly, it’s a fair one.
Renovations involve a lot of moving parts. Multiple trades. Tight timelines. And if things happen out of order?
💥 Delays
💥 Extra costs
💥 Contractors showing up and leaving because they can’t work yet
I know this because I learned the hard way.
My Early (Very Humbling) Lesson in Order of Operations
When I first started managing construction projects, I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
I brought contractors in too early.
They’d walk the space and say things like:
“I can’t do this yet.”
“That needs to be done first.”
“This is in my way.”
And there I was — feeling totally unprepared.
I once tried to schedule appliance installation four separate times before realizing why it kept failing. 🙃
That’s why I recorded this episode — to save you from learning this lesson the hard way.
First, Let Me Be Very Clear About One Thing
🚨 Demo is NOT the first step of a remodel. 🚨
You’ll hear me say this over and over:
Design before demo. Always.
Before construction ever starts, you should already have:
A completed design
A clear budget
Your selections made
A plan
Everything below assumes you’ve already done that work and are officially entering the construction phase.
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Your Customized Plan So You Can Renovate With Clarity and Confidence
Step-by-Step (Without the Overwhelm)
🧱 1. Demo
Fast and dramatic.
Everything gets ripped out so you can rebuild.
Remember: demo only happens after planning is done.
🔨 2. Framing
This can be big or small:
Moving walls
Adding niches
Pony walls
Extending walls for cabinetry
Framing must happen before plumbing and electrical so everything has a structure to run through.
🚿 3. Plumbing Rough-In
This is all the inside-the-wall work:
Valves
Water lines
Drain locations
Plumbers come twice:
Rough-in (now)
Finish install (later)
💡 4. Electrical Rough-In
Electricians handle:
New or moved outlets
Lighting locations
Appliance wiring
Island power
At this stage, you’ll see boxes and wires — not finished outlets yet.
🌬️ 5. HVAC Rough-In
Common examples:
Hood venting
Bath fans
Duct changes
This is where surprises often pop up once walls are open.
✅ 6. Inspections
Before you close walls:
Plumbing
Electrical
HVAC
⚠️ Never drywall before passing inspections.
.
🧱 7. Drywall
Walls get closed back up.
This happens after all rough-ins are approved.
Where the Order Can Flex a Bit
From here on, things can move depending on:
Contractor preferences
Flooring type
Project scope
But the logic still matters.
🪚 8. Cabinetry Install
I typically install cabinets:
After drywall
Before flooring
Before painting
This allows:
Accurate countertop templating
Efficient scheduling
🪨 9. Countertop Templating (Then Waiting)
Once cabinets are in:
Fabricators measure
Counters get made
⏳ This creates a natural waiting period — perfect for…
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🪵 10. Flooring
Flooring often fills this gap:
Saves time
Keeps the project moving
Whether floors go under cabinets depends on:
Material type
Budget
Design preference
🪨 11. Countertop Install
Once counters are in, a lot can finally move forward.
🧱 12. Tile Work
Tile installers need:
Cabinets in
Countertops installed
Backsplashes and showers happen here.
🎨 13. Painting
I usually paint after:
Tile
Flooring
Cabinets
✔️ Everything gets protected
✔️ Touch-ups are easier
✔️ Cleaner final result
🚰 14. Finish Plumbing & Electrical
Now the “pretty stuff” goes in:
Faucets
Shower heads
Pendants
Outlet covers
This is when spaces start to feel finished.
🍳 15. Appliance Install
Appliances come near the very end — for good reason.
They need:
Power
Water
Finished connections
This is where I went wrong early in my career 😅
🧰 16. Cabinet Finish Work
Cabinet teams return to:
Adjust doors & drawers
Install hardware
Add toe kicks
Touch up paint
🪛 17. Final Touch-Ups
All the little things:
Accessories
Trim
Minor fixes
Paint touch-ups
If it’s not in someone’s scope… it becomes your job.
✅ 18. Final Inspections
Inspectors return to confirm:
Everything is connected
Everything functions
Code is met
Only then is the project truly complete.
Need Help With Your Remodel?
Book Your 1 hour Design Consultation
Your Customized Plan So You Can Renovate With Clarity and Confidence
The Big Takeaway
You don’t need to memorize every step.
What you do need is:
A basic roadmap
An understanding of why order matters
Confidence to ask trades:
“What needs to be done before you arrive?”
🎧 This episode of Preparing for Your Home Remodel walks through this timeline in real-time so you can plan ahead — before construction chaos begins.
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