Is it best to remodel my home in phases or all at once? This is a great question and one we hear somewhat frequently. We try to be as straightforward as possible with our answers to these questions, but often our answer has to start with another question. What are the most important factors in your remodel? Most often, it comes down to time and money.

Many homeowners ask this question because they are concerned about overall affordability and the impact a major, multi-room home remodel could potentially have on their daily lives. Here is a list of pros and cons to help you understand the costs, both literal and figurative, associated with each option.

All At Once

PROS

• One master plan creates consistency throughout your entire house.
• Depending on where you live – single HOA plan review, single City plan review, and single permit to pull.
• Bundling material orders and subcontractor work into one larger project is more cost-effective (economies of scale).
• Shorter, less expensive project timeline overall (time and expenses increase when you remodel in phases).
• Less invasive and shorter amount of time that your home is in disarray.
• Less noise and mess for neighbors.

CONS

• More money to pay upfront.
• You may need to find temporary housing, causing an added expense or an inconvenience to friends or family.
• Significant disruption and other inconveniences – like dust, noise, electrical shut-offs, water shut-offs, and more – if you live in your home during a larger remodel.
• Renovating all at once can feel overwhelming.

In Phases, Over Time

PROS

• Less money upfront creates more immediate cash flow.
• Ability to pay as you go, as you can afford each phase.
• Tackling smaller projects, one at a time can feel less overwhelming.
• A large portion of your house may still be livable.

CONS

• In the long run, far more costly in overall time and expenses.
• Multiple plan reviews and permits eat up time, money, and energy.
• Lost momentum, and sustained disruption caused by serial remodeling, can mentally wear down homeowners as projects continue to drag on.
• It may be necessary to demo something completed in an earlier phase to begin the next phase – such as removing new drywall to access electrical, removing a new base and casement to lace in, or installing flooring.
• Code may require added work to be done – including outlet, railing, and light fixture installations – that might need to be removed in the next project phase.
• Remodeling in phases interrupts how trades work most efficiently – in order from “rough” work to “finish” work.
• Duplication of efforts and less efficient use of contractor time – including daily setup, travel time, cleanup of the job site, and more – can increase costs.
• By the time the next project phase begins, certain materials and finishes might be discontinued and unavailable.
• If you try to pre-order for the next phase of your remodel, you risk under-ordering materials if anything in the plan changes.
• It’s often hard to know where to start and stop during each phase, especially with flooring, paint, and trim.

All of this being said – your remodeling contractor should be available to make their recommendations on the plan for your project and make you feel comfortable every step of the way. If your builder is pushing you outside of your comfort zone – you’re working with the wrong team. At THE Remodel Group, we bring years of experience to the table as we are designing and strategizing your remodel but as the homeowner, you are able to set your boundaries.

Your Home Remodeling Contractor

If you’re ready to transform your home (either in phases or all at once) with the help of a contractor, the team at THE Remodel Group is here to listen! There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain when you employ our home remodeling team. Get in touch with us to discuss your project.