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Whole Home Renovations: Costs, Timelines, and Ideas
Last Updated: November 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Whole home renovations update a house's layout, systems, and finishes at once, managed under one design-build contract. Costs depend on scope, not square footage alone, and timelines run from weeks for single rooms to months for full renovations with additions.
- Basements.com handles whole-house projects as a Colorado State Certified general contractor under one contract.
- Reserve 10-20% of your scope as contingency for unknown conditions found during demolition.
- Permit review can add weeks, and rough-in inspections must pass before drywall goes up.
- Vet contractors on four checks: license, insurance, written scope, and change-order policy.
- Moisture problems should be corrected before finishes go in, per the EPA.
Table of Contents
- What Whole Home Renovations Actually Involve
- Whole Home Renovations Cost: What Drives Your Budget
- Whole Home Renovation Timeline: A Realistic Phase-by-Phase Schedule
- Whole House Renovation Ideas and Your Planning Checklist
- How to Compare and Vet Renovation Contractors
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Whole Home Renovations Actually Involve
Whole home renovations update a house's layout, systems, and finishes at once. Basements.com handles this work as a Colorado State Certified general contractor, combining kitchen and bathroom remodeling, home additions, basement renovation, and space planning under one design-build scope.
A single team keeps the floor plan and budget connected; split design and construction makes changes expensive fast.
We handle basements and residential remodeling, so a whole-house project can be managed under one contract. See our services page.
Historic renovation adds complexity: older Northern Colorado homes often carry outdated wiring, undersized framing, or failing plumbing. Scope those surprises before demolition.
Whole Home Renovations Cost: What Drives Your Budget
Whole home renovation costs depend on scope, not square footage alone. Pricing depends on layout, finishes, existing system condition, and whether an addition is included. Use our online pricing estimator to get a ballpark cost for your project. For a quote, contact Basements.com directly.
We offer flexible financing options, turning a large one-time investment into a predictable monthly payment.
For current pricing on a basement project, contact Basements.com for a quote.
| Cost Driver | What It Covers | How It Affects Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Structural work | Wall removal, additions, framing | Largest single swing |
| Systems | Electrical, plumbing, HVAC | High, often hidden |
| Finishes | Cabinets, tile, fixtures, flooring | Scales with your choices |
| Permits and inspections | Required approvals and sign-offs | Fixed fees plus schedule time |
| Contingency | Unknown conditions found in demo | Reserve 10-20% of scope (Help) |
Whole Home Renovation Timeline: A Realistic Phase-by-Phase Schedule
A whole home renovation timeline depends on scope and permitting: single rooms move in weeks, full renovations with additions in months. Schedules are built around the phases of the specific project.
Two phases catch homeowners off guard: permit review can add weeks, and rough-in inspections must pass before drywall.
Living in the home during construction depends on the scope of work. Our FAQ page covers common questions about the process.
Whole House Renovation Ideas and Your Planning Checklist
Whole house renovation ideas work best when they solve a real problem: open-concept kitchens, a primary suite addition, a finished basement with a home theater, or a home office. Browse our gallery of basement, bar, and bathroom transformations.
How to Compare and Vet Renovation Contractors
Comparing renovation contractors comes down to four checks: license, insurance, written scope, and change-order policy. Ask who is on site daily and whether the same crew handles the whole job.
Don't choose on price alone; the lowest bid usually wins by leaving work out of scope, and those omissions return as change orders. Ask what is excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a whole home renovation take?
A whole home renovation timeline depends on scope, permits, and material lead times. Projects generally move through design and permitting, construction, and final inspection. Basements.com provides full-service project management from design to final inspection.
How do you budget for whole home renovations?
Start with a checklist that separates must-haves from nice-to-haves, then request a written estimate from your contractor. Whole home renovations cost more than single-room projects because systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC often need upgrades. Basements.com offers flexible financing options.
What should you renovate first in a whole home renovation?
Address structural, moisture, and code issues before cosmetic finishes. That means fixing foundation problems, waterproofing, and outdated electrical or plumbing first. Then move to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas, which deliver the strongest resale value. If you have an unfinished basement, finishing it early adds functional square footage at a lower cost per square foot than above-grade additions. Basements.com offers code-compliant renovation work; contact us to discuss egress requirements for your project.
