# How to Plan a Renovation, Step by Step

- URL: https://www.renoversity.com/courses/how-to-plan-a-renovation-step-by-step
- Type: Course
- Access: public
- Modules: 1
- Lessons: 6
- Source: Renoversity

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A free 6-phase walkthrough of how to plan a renovation in order, from your first idea to your final walkthrough, so you know what to decide when.

Most renovations go over budget or off schedule for the same reason: decisions get made out of order. This free course walks you through the six phases every renovation moves through, in the order a professional would run them, so you know what to lock in, what to wait on, and what to ask before you spend a dollar. It's the same framework I use to run my own clients' projects, condensed into 60 minutes.

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## Curriculum

### MODULE 1:  The Six Phases of a Home Renovation or Remodel

- **How Do You Start a Renovation? Phase 1: Dream + Define** (public) — Start here, before you call a single contractor. Turn a vague wish list into a defined scope: what's changing, what's staying, and what you actually need versus want. [markdown](https://www.renoversity.com/lessons/phase-1-dream-define.md)
- **How Do You Set a Realistic Renovation Budget? Phase 2:  Build Your Budget** (public) — Set a realistic total budget, a target budget, and a category-by-category allocation, plus a contingency fund, before you get a number back from a contractor. [markdown](https://www.renoversity.com/lessons/phase-2-build-your-budget.md)
- **How Do You Find a Contractor You Can Trust?  Phase 3: Hire Your Team** (public) — Learn how to vet contractors, spot red flags before you sign anything, and put together a contract that protects you if the scope changes mid-project. [markdown](https://www.renoversity.com/lessons/phase-3-hire-your-team.md)
- **When Do You Choose Renovation Materials?  Phase 4: Select + Specify** (public) — Lock in your cabinets, countertops, tile, and fixtures in the right order, so nothing gets picked too late and holds up the schedule. [markdown](https://www.renoversity.com/lessons/phase-4-select-specify.md)
- **How Do You Manage a Renovation Build?  Phase 5: Run the Build** (public) — Stay in control once work begins: what to check on site, how change orders work, and how to keep communication with your contractor on track. [markdown](https://www.renoversity.com/lessons/phase-5-run-the-build.md)
- **How Do You Close Out a Renovation Project?  Phase 6: Close It Out** (public) — Finish strong: what belongs on your punch list, what to check before final payment, and what to keep for warranty and maintenance later [markdown](https://www.renoversity.com/lessons/phase-6-close-it-out.md)