Starting a remodeling project is without a doubt exciting. After all, you’re about to completely transform your home into a place you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you’re updating your kitchen, finishing your basement, renovating bathrooms, or adding square footage with a home addition, the planning you do before construction starts determines how smoothly everything goes.
After working on countless remodeling projects throughout the Twin Cities area, we’ve seen what separates successful renovations from stressful ones. It comes down to preparation. The homeowners who work through these steps before demo day arrives end up happier with their results, stay closer to budget, and experience fewer surprises along the way.
Here’s your printable checklist for preparing for any remodeling project in Minnesota:
This phase is all about getting clear on what you want and whether it’s feasible. Before you commit to anything, work through these steps.
☐ Walk through the spaces you want to remodel and note what’s not working
☐ List specific problems you’re trying to solve (not enough storage, outdated finishes, poor layout, etc.)
☐ Identify how you want to use the space differently after the remodel
☐ Determine who will use these spaces and what they need
☐ Separate your must-haves from your nice-to-haves
☐ Discuss priorities with anyone else who lives in your home
☐ Create a Pinterest board or folder of images that appeal to you
☐ Save examples of styles, colors, and features you’re drawn to
☐ Note what specifically attracts you to each image (the layout? the colors? the vibe?)
☐ Collect examples of what you don’t like (equally helpful for designers)
☐ Look for common threads in your inspiration—what keeps showing up?
☐ Determine your true budget capacity
☐ Decide whether you’ll pay cash or need financing
☐ Factor in other financial obligations that might compete for funds
☐ Research typical costs for your type of project in Minnesota
☐ Build in a 10-15% contingency for unexpected issues
☐ Be honest about what you’re comfortable spending (not what sounds impressive)
☐ Consider whether your ideas work within your home’s existing structure
☐ Think about whether you want to maintain your current footprint or expand
☐ Identify any walls you’d like to remove (might need structural engineering)
☐ Consider how your project might affect other parts of your home
☐ Think about whether the investment makes sense for your home’s value and your plans
Choosing who will design and build your project is one of your most important decisions. Don’t rush this step.
☐ Begin researching remodeling companies 6 months before you want to start
☐ Look for companies that specialize in remodeling (not new construction)
☐ Check that they have experience with your type of project
☐ Ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers for recommendations
☐ Read online reviews and look at project portfolios
☐ Verify they carry proper insurance and are licensed
☐ Check their standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State
☐ Confirm they have experience with homes similar to yours
☐ Ask how many projects like yours they’ve completed
☐ Find out who will be your primary point of contact
☐ Ask how they handle the design phase
☐ Learn whether they have in-house designers or work with external ones
☐ Understand how they communicate during projects (phone, email, text, portal)
☐ Ask about their approach to protecting your home during construction
☐ Find out how they handle dust control and daily cleanup
☐ Discuss their typical timeline for projects like yours
☐ Request references from a recent client or two with similar projects
☐ Contact references and ask about their experience
☐ Ask if the project stayed on schedule and within budget
☐ Find out how the company handled any problems that came up
☐ Ask if they’d work with this company again
☐ Make sure they provide detailed, written estimates
☐ Verify they separate design and construction phases for transparent pricing
☐ Understand their payment schedule and terms
☐ Ask how they handle change orders
☐ Ensure contracts clearly outline scope, timeline, and expectations
Once you’ve selected your remodeling partner and signed a design contract, it’s time to finalize your plans.
☐ Schedule your initial design meeting
☐ Share your inspiration images and discuss your vision
☐ Walk through the space together and discuss possibilities
☐ Review initial design concepts and provide feedback
☐ Ask questions about anything you don’t understand
☐ Be honest about what you like and don’t like
☐ Review floor plans and elevations carefully
☐ Think through how you’ll actually use the space
☐ Consider traffic flow and functionality
☐ Identify any changes you want before drawings are finalized
☐ Get input from family members who will use the space
☐ Approve final drawings before moving to material selection
☐ Select flooring materials and patterns
☐ Choose tile for bathrooms, kitchens, or other areas
☐ Pick cabinetry style, finish, and hardware
☐ Select countertop materials and edge profiles
☐ Choose all plumbing fixtures and finishes
☐ Select light fixtures for all areas
☐ Pick paint colors for walls, trim, and ceilings
☐ Choose any specialty finishes or features
☐ Make appliance selections (if applicable)
☐ Review the detailed construction estimate based on your design
☐ Understand what’s included as fixed pricing vs. allowances
☐ Ask questions about any line items you don’t understand
☐ Confirm the payment schedule
☐ Review the projected timeline
☐ Sign the construction contract when you’re ready to proceed
Before construction begins, prepare your home and household for the disruption ahead.
☐ Clear out all furniture from the work areas
☐ Remove wall hangings, window treatments, and décor
☐ Pack up any personal items in or near the work zones
☐ Move valuables away from construction areas
☐ Protect items you can’t move with plastic or drop cloths
☐ Clear pathways from entry points to work areas
☐ Remove items from shelves and cabinets in affected areas
☐ Identify which rooms you’ll use while work is being done
☐ Set up temporary kitchen arrangements (if doing a kitchen remodel)
☐ Plan bathroom access if remodeling your only full bath
☐ Create storage for items removed from work areas
☐ Organize stored items so you can access what you need
☐ Make temporary arrangements as comfortable as possible
☐ Explain the timeline and what to expect to family members
☐ Discuss how daily routines will need to be adjusted
☐ Set expectations about noise, dust, and disruption
☐ Plan for how you’ll handle meals during kitchen remodels
☐ Make arrangements for pets during construction days
☐ Discuss work hours with your contractor to minimize conflicts
☐ Notify neighbors about upcoming construction work
☐ Arrange parking if needed for contractor vehicles and dumpsters
☐ Discuss material delivery and storage with your contractor
☐ Understand when you’ll need to be home vs. when you can leave
☐ Set up a system for communicating with your project manager
☐ Save important contact information for your contractor and project manager
In the final days before construction starts, handle these last details.
☐ Confirm your start date with your contractor
☐ Verify that all materials have been ordered
☐ Understand the first week’s schedule
☐ Make sure permits have been obtained (if required)
☐ Confirm your contractor has keys or access codes
☐ Set up any required accounts (like Buildertrend portal access)
☐ Walk through the work areas with your project manager
☐ Point out anything that needs special care or protection
☐ Discuss any last-minute questions or concerns
☐ Confirm where materials will be stored
☐ Review the dust protection and containment plan
☐ Take “before” photos of the spaces being remodeled
☐ Stock up on patience—remodeling tests everyone
☐ Remember that things will look worse before they look better
☐ Plan some treats or breaks to get away from the disruption
☐ Keep communication open with your contractor
☐ Trust the process—you hired professionals for a reason
☐ Focus on the end result you’re working toward
Working through this checklist might feel like a lot of work—and it is. But this preparation is what separates remodeling projects that go smoothly from ones that spiral into stress and disappointment. Every hour you spend planning saves you headaches and money during construction.
The homes we work on throughout the Twin Cities area range from modest updates to complete transformations, but they all benefit from this same systematic approach to planning. Whether you’re tackling a kitchen renovation, finishing your basement, updating bathrooms, or adding onto your home, these steps apply.
Ready to get started on your remodeling project? Reach out to HBRE today to schedule your in-home consultation. We’ll walk through your entire space, talk about your remodeling goals, address all of your questions, and provide an initial estimate. Your dream remodel is waiting! Let’s figure out how to make it happen.
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