Remodel planning: the right order, before work starts
Judy's letter to homeowners describes the most common remodelling mistake: starting with one small project, like new flooring, then finding six months later that the cabinet layout is limited by the floor that just went in. In her words, they have “figuratively – and literally – hit a wall.”
Her advice is to “start with a vision, a plan, and a budget that work for you.” Remodel planning is that step: deciding what changes, in what order, at what cost, before anything is torn out.
What's included
The order of work
Which rooms and which trades come first, so one project never boxes in the next.
Creative visuals
Options you can see and edit before committing, with materials and colours chosen together.
An itemized scope
A written scope with every cost broken out into material and labor.
Vetted trades and vendors
Trades and vendors properly vetted, and clear communication with each of them throughout.
How it works
- A 90-minute in-home meeting about style, budget and time frame.
- Creative visuals, materials and colours chosen together, timeline and budget set.
- A clear, itemized scope with material and labor broken out.
- The build, with trades and vendors properly vetted and clear communication throughout.
If you're acting as your own general contractor
Nevada lets homeowners act as owner-builders on their own home. The Nevada State Contractors Board is clear about what that means: the homeowner keeps the legal responsibility for the job, must directly supervise the construction, and may not hire an unlicensed person to act as their contractor, agent or construction manager. Plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed tradespeople or by the homeowner.
Judy's role is design and planning: the drawings, the scope, the vetted trades and keeping everyone working from the same plan. Read the board's owner-builder page before you file the affidavit.
Remodel planning: questions homeowners ask
Why does the order of a remodel matter?
Because one project can limit the next. New flooring laid around existing cabinets can box in a future kitchen layout. Planning the whole house first, even if the work happens in phases, avoids paying twice.
Can I act as my own general contractor in Nevada?
Nevada allows owner-builders to improve their own home for their own occupancy. The Nevada State Contractors Board says the homeowner keeps legal responsibility, must directly supervise the work, and may not hire an unlicensed person as their contractor or construction manager. Selling or leasing within a year of completion raises a presumption that the work wasn't for your own use. Read the board's owner-builder guidance before you start.
What's in an itemized remodel scope?
A written list of the work with every cost broken out into material and labor, and the trades and vendors involved, so you can see exactly where the budget goes before anything is ordered.
Can we plan the whole house and build it in phases?
Yes. Many clients do. A single plan carried out room by room keeps every phase consistent and stops an early project getting in the way of a later one.
Keep reading
Guides
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Where Judy works
Las Vegas, Henderson and the wider valley. See the areas served.
Start with a vision, a plan and a budget
Tell Judy about your remodel planning. The first step is a 90-minute meeting at your home about style, budget and time frame.
Creative Solutions...Timely Execution