6 steps to renovating a single-story house

The preparation process for home renovation, whether it's a single-story or multi-story home, involves similar preparation. If you want to achieve a stable and robust home without overspending, you should thoroughly review all of these factors.



Check the Laws Carefully


An important point to know about home renovations, and one that many people often overlook, is to thoroughly review the law. Additions and renovations are considered building alterations, so it's important to check the requirements for your home and what are the strict prohibitions.

If, after reviewing the conditions, you find that your renovation plan falls under these prohibitions, consult with your provincial or municipal civil engineering official before proceeding.


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Ask yourself clearly what you want to renovate.

Many people mistakenly believe that renovating a single-story home requires less budget than buying a new home. This is only half-true, as renovations without clear planning and design often lead to budget overruns.

Therefore, before beginning renovation planning, it's important to reassess what you're renovating for: improving the structure of your home, redesigning your living space, or building your dream home. Having a clear vision will allow you to estimate your initial renovation budget.

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Inspect the current condition of your home and its structure

After clearly defining your needs, begin by inspecting your current home to determine any damage and the condition of the main structure. Consult with an expert as well.

Old buildings often have hidden structural problems, such as rusted rebar, cracked columns and beams, or cracked load-bearing walls. These structures should be strengthened first.

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Inspect the systems

Just as the body has blood vessels to pump, so too does the home. Electrical, water, and other systems are crucial and must never be neglected. This is especially important for buildings older than 10 years, as these systems are often deteriorated.

Therefore, consult with an expert to inspect the condition of the electrical equipment and water pipes. And if the building is over 15 years old, replacing all systems may be more cost-effective than demolishing and repairing each area individually.

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Summary of Improvements and Renovation Plan

Once you've inspected all materials, structures, and equipment in your home, you can begin your journey to your dream home. You should clearly outline what needs to be improved, what needs to be added, and what needs to be demolished. For example, if you want to demolish a wall to create usable space, you should carefully examine what needs to be improved and repaired. For structural demolition and renovations, to ensure safe living conditions, you should consult closely with experts.

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Set aside a budget of 10-30%.

Knowing about home renovations: Knowing the budget. Renovations are full of unexpected surprises. Even if you're confident you've thoroughly investigated, hidden problems often crop up and exceed the budget. Therefore, you should set aside 10-30% for undiscovered issues to prevent delays and costly overruns.

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Source: DD Property