What Should You Do Before Starting a Home Renovation?
A recent garage extension project finished by BREHN Home Solutions.
Planning before starting a home renovation might not be the most exciting part of the process, but it’s one of the most important. It’s easy to jump into choosing cabinets, flooring and paint colours, but taking the time to plan first can help you avoid unexpected costs, reduce delays, and make the entire renovation experience smoother.
Whether you’re updating the kitchen, renovating the bathroom, finishing your basement or building a brand new home addition, every successful renovation starts with a clear plan.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we’ve worked with homeowners throughout Fergus, Elora, Centre Wellington and surrounding communities on projects of every size. While every renovation is different, we’ve found that the projects with the best outcomes all have one thing in common: they are well planned out before construction begins.
Below are some things you may waconsider before starting your renovation.
Define Your Renovation Goals Before Starting a Home Renovation
Before you begin looking at tile samples or scrolling through renovation photos online, take some time to think about why you’re renovating in the first place.
Every homeowner has different goals. Some families need more room as their children get older, while others want to modernize an outdated kitchen, create a better layout, or improve the resale value of their home.
Instead of focusing on the specific finishes right away, start by asking yourself a few simple questions:
What is no longer working in my home?
What do I want this space to feel like when it is finished?
Will this renovation solve the problems I’m dealing with today
Will it still meet my family’s needs in five or ten years from now?
Having clear goals makes it much easier to make decisions as your project moves forward. For example, someone planning to stay in their home for many years may prioritize functionality and storage, while one who is planning to sell in the near future may focus on renovations that improve resale value.
How Much Should You Budget Before Starting a Home Renovation?
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is building a budget that is just too tight to be realistic.
Of course, no one likes a surprise during renovations, but homes, especially older ones, can sometimes reveal issues once work begins. Outdated wiring, plumbing, water damage or structural repairs aren’t always visible until walls or flooring are removed.
This doesn’t mean you should expect the worst - it simply means it’s smart to plan ahead!
While putting together your renovation budget, remember to account for:
Construction costs
Materials and finishes
Appliances, if needed
Permits and inspections
Temporary accommodations for larger projects
A contingency fund for unexpected expenses
A realistic budget also makes it easier to prioritize your wishlist.
If there are features you’d love to include, but they’re outside of your budget today, your contractor can often recommend ways to complete the project in stages, or suggest alternatives to achieve a similar look.
General budgeting advice as well as possible loans that could be utilized for home renovation can be found at the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation’s website.
Why Should You Choose Finishes Before Your Renovation Begins?
A recent kitchen project finished by BREHN Home Solutions.
It’s easy to underestimate how many decisions go into a renovation….
Cabinets.
Countertops.
Flooring.
Tile.
Paint.
Lighting.
Hardware.
Fixtures.
The list adds up quickly!
Choosing these finishes before construction begins helps keep your renovation moving forward and reduces the chances of delays caused by product availability or special orders. It also gives you time to compare options and create a design that feels cohesive.
One of our recent kitchen renovations, Project Thomas, is a great example of how thoughtful planning comes together in the finished space. For this project, we combined warm neutral lower cabinetry with crisp white upper cabinets to create a kitchen that feels bright without losing warmth. Warm-toned wood flooring ties everything together, creating a timeless look that’s both functioning and inviting.
When selections are made early, it’s much easier to coordinate colours, textures and finishes that will work well together from the beginning!
How Can You Make Your Renovation Work for the Future?
A renovation is a chance to improve how your home works now, but it is also an opportunity to plan for the future. Ask yourself questions like…
Will our family continue to grow?
Could someone eventually be working from home?
Would additional storage make my everyday life easier?
Could an accessory dwelling unit or legal basement apartment be useful later on?
Would adding square footage prevent us from moving in a few years?
Thinking ahead often leads to smarter renovation decisions.
Instead of completing multiple smaller projects over several years, it sometimes makes more sense to invest in a renovation that will continue meeting your needs well into the future.
For many homeowners, that’s where a home addition becomes worth considering. Whether it’s expanding your living space, adding a garage, or creating room for a growing family, an addition can help you stay in the home you already love while increasing its functionality and value.
How Long Does a Home Renovation Take?
One question we hear all the time is how long will my renovation take?
The honest answer is that every project is different. A bathroom renovation has a very different timeline than a legal basement apartment or a home addition. Material availability, permit approvals, custom projects and even the weather can all affect the schedule.
That’s why it’s important to approach your renovation with realistic expectations. Planning ahead, making selections early, and working with an experienced contractor all help keep your project moving forward, but flexibility is still important. Good communication throughout the renovation makes a big difference when unexpected situations arise.
Do You Need a Building Permit?
Not every renovation requires a permit, but many larger projects do. If your renovation involves structural changes, additions, garages, accessory dwelling units or certain plumbing and electrical work, permits may be required by your municipality. While the permit process can feel intimidating, it’s an important part of making sure your renovation meets Ontario’s building codes and safety standards.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we homeowners understand which permits may be required and guide them through the process before construction begins.
That way, there are fewer surprises later on! For more information about permits, homeowners can also visit the Government of Ontario website or speak with their local municipality.
How Do You Choose the Right Contractor for Your Home Renovation?
Choosing the right contractor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make before starting a home renovation. While it’s tempting to compare quotes and choose the lowest price, qualities like experience, communication and project management are just as, if not more, important.
When meeting with contractors, consider asking questions like…
Have you completed similar projects to mine? If so, do you have pictures of the finished project?
Will you help with permits and inspections?
How will you communicate with me throughout the project?
Can you provide a detailed quote and timeline?
What happens if changes are needed during construction?
Working with an experienced contractor means having someone who can guide you through every stage of the renovation, from planning and design to construction and finishing touches. Check out our comprehensive list of questions for renovation contractors here!
At BREHN Home Solutions, we believe homeowners should feel informed and confident before construction begins. That’s why we take the time to answer questions, discuss options, and create a clear path before any work gets underway.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association recommends choosing a contractor with relevant experience, clear contracts and strong communication throughout the renovation process.
Can Real Projects Help You Plan Your Renovation?
A recent modern condo renovation by BREHN
Looking at completed renovations is one of the best ways to understand what’s possible in your own home.
Every project has different budgets, challenges and goals, but seeing how other homeowners solved similar problems can provide valuable inspiration.
For homeowners looking for more storage and workspace, Project Gordon is a great example. We built a 13’ × 40’ attached garage that maximized an underused side yard while blending seamlessly into the existing home. Instead of moving to a larger property, the homeowners were able to gain the space they needed without leaving the neighbourhood they loved.
If your goal is to create more living space, something like Project Tait can show how a basement can be transformed into a legal basement apartment with a private entrance, second kitchen, additional bedroom, and upgraded laundry room.
Even smaller projects can have a big impact. Our custom fireplace feature wall created a modern focal point that completely changed the feel of the living room without requiring a major renovation.
No matter the size of the project, careful planning helped ensure the finished results met each homeowner’s goals.
What Can You Expect When You Work With BREHN Home Solutions?
Every renovation starts with a conversation. Before we begin construction, we take the time to understand how you use your home, what isn’t working, and what you'd like to improve. From there, we can recommend renovation options that fit your budget, lifestyle and long-term goals.
Whether you’re planning a…
Kitchen renovation
Bathroom renovation
Finished basement
Home addition
Garage
Covered porch
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
Exterior renovation
Or fireplace feature wall
…our goal is to make the planning process as straightforward as possible.
We’ll discuss timelines, help you select finishes, explain any permits that may be required, and answer your questions before construction begins. We believe good planning leads to better renovations, and a better experience for homeowners!
Ready to Start Planning Your Home Renovation?
The planning involved before starting a home renovation doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By taking the time to define your goals, establish a realistic budget, choose finishes early, understand timelines, and work with an experienced contractor, you’ll be setting your project up for success from Day One.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we’re proud to help homeowners through Fergus, Elora, Centre Wellington and surrounding areas to bring their renovation ideas to life. Whether you’re updating a kitchen, renovating a bathroom, finishing a basement, building a home addition, or tackling another interior or exterior renovation, we’re here to guide you through every step of the planning process.
If you’re thinking about your next project, we’d be happy to help you explore your options and create a renovation plan that works for your home, your family and future. Contact us at BREHN Home Solutions today!