The Ultimate Guide for First Time Renovators

Exterior after Renovations

Skip ahead if you just want to see before and after photos like me.

Renovating a fixer upper can be a daunting task, especially if you’re a total rookie at DIY projects like my wife and I were. But with some careful planning and help from contractors, we were able to transform our property from a dated 2004 eyesore into a stunning, modern home that any city-dwelling family would love. For all the products we used check out this list.

DO:

1. Create a budget and stick to it. Renovations can easily get out of hand if you don’t have a clear plan for your spending.
2. Research and hire reliable contractors. Don’t just go with the first person you find — get recommendations and read reviews before making a decision.
3. Get proper permits and follow all building codes. This will ensure that your renovations are up to standard and will save you headaches in the long run.
4. Communicate with your neighbors. Renovations can be disruptive, so it’s important to keep your neighbors in the loop and make an effort to minimize any inconvenience to them.

DON’T:

1. Bite off more than you can chew. If you’re a first-time renovator, it’s best to start with small projects and work your way up.
2. Skimp on quality. It may be tempting to go with cheaper materials to save money, but this can backfire in the long run if they wear out quickly or don’t meet building codes.
3. Ignore the design process. It’s important to have a cohesive plan for the look and feel of your renovations, rather than making changes on a whim.
4. Forget about safety. Make sure to follow proper safety protocols and use caution when working with tools and materials.

One of the first things we did was invest in luxury vinyl flooring, specifically Cortec. This type of flooring is durable, easy to maintain, and has a high-end look that really elevated the overall feel of the home. We went with a white oak finish that added warmth and character to the space. To save money, we decided to order our Cortec directly from the supplier rather than using a contractor. Although it required a bit more effort on our part, we were able to avoid the contractor mark-up.

Products:
Clean Cortec

When it came to replacing the windows, we selected a premium brand called Pella. In hindsight, we would have chosen a less premium brand of windows to save money. We selected Pella windows, which have a nice appearance, but the price was not justified. In the future, we will consider more cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives.

Another simple but effective update was painting the walls white. We chose the color Chantilly Lace, which is a soft, warm white that brightened up the space and made it feel more open and inviting. We decided to paint all four floors of our house ourselves after receiving a quote for more than $5,000 from a professional painter. Although the project was labor-intensive, we felt that the effort was worthwhile because it saved us a significant amount of money.

General painting tips:

1. Start by preparing the surface. Remove any dirt, dust, or cobwebs, and fill in any holes or cracks with spackle. Sand the surface smooth and wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dust
2. Choose the right paint and tools. Select a high-quality paint that is suitable for the surface you are painting (e.g., wood, metal, plaster). Use good-quality brushes, rollers, and other tools to ensure a professional-looking finish.
3. Use masking tape to protect any surfaces that you don’t want to paint, such as windows, door frames, and baseboards.
4. Start by painting the edges and corners of the room with a brush. This will allow you to get a clean, precise line without having to worry about overspray.
5. Use a roller to apply the paint to the larger surfaces. Load the roller with paint and roll it over the surface in a W pattern, working from the top of the wall down to the bottom.
6. Allow the paint to dry completely before applying a second coat, if necessary.
7. Get some help from your friends and family. I’d also strongly consider renting or buying a paint spray gun to save you time.

Stairs can really change the vibe of a home, and we decided to paint ours all black. This added a bold and modern touch, but we wished we had added a carpet runner for a bit more traction. If you're considering a similar update, be sure to think about practicality as well as style.

When it came to finding contractors and handymen to help with some of the more complex projects, we found apps like Handy and Thumbtack to be very helpful. We thought that Thumbtack was the best option for finding high quality contractors in your area. Thumbtack is an app that connects users with local professionals for a variety of services: painting, installing floors, hanging lights, etc. Always do your own due diligence, but the quality and user experience Thumbtack was way better than the other services we tried.

Updating the lights in your home can be a simple and cost-effective way to increase its value. New light fixtures can add a modern touch to any room, and can also improve the functionality of the space. We went with sleek, modern fixtures that really elevated the overall style of the home. The Halo 5 inch and 6 inch Recessed LED Can Lights are a game changer. We put them in almost every room in the house. They are worth every penny and we installed 20+ in our home. These lights + the white paint made every room light and bright.

To make the renovation process less overwhelming, we tackled each room one at a time. This allowed us to focus on each space individually and made it easier to keep track of our progress.

Investing in smart home features like a Nest thermostat and Nest Smoke Alarms were great decisions. Not only did it make the home more efficient and convenient to live in, but it also added value to the property, especially in a city like Philadelphia.

Finally, changing the hardware (hinges and doorknobs) to matte black was a simple but impactful update that really leveled up the look of each room. It took some time and effort, but it was worth it in the end.

While we did as much of the work ourselves as possible to save on costs, we didn't hesitate to outsource when it came to more complex projects like plumbing and electrical work. It's important to know your limits and seek help when necessary to ensure a safe and successful renovation.

More tips to come! For more products we used check out this list.