Pre-Renovation Checklist

1. Confirm permits are in hand

Verify that all required building permits have been issued by your municipality before any demolition or construction begins. Work started without a posted permit can result in stop-work orders and fines. Your contractor should handle this, but confirm the permit is on site before work starts.

2. Clear the work zone

Remove all furniture, artwork, rugs, and personal items from the rooms being renovated and from the path the crew will use to access them. Move everything at least 10 feet beyond the work area, or to another floor entirely. Dust travels — cover what you can't move with plastic sheeting.

3. Arrange pet and childcare

Construction sites are noisy, dusty, and hazardous for children and pets. Arrange for pets to stay with family or friends, or set up a sealed-off safe zone away from the work area. Plan childcare for demolition days and any phase involving open walls, tools, or hazardous materials.

4. Document existing conditions with photos

Photograph every room, wall, floor, and ceiling before work begins — including areas outside the renovation zone. These photos protect you if a dispute arises about pre-existing damage. Also photograph the exterior and any shared walls in strata properties.

5. Review the contract scope line by line

Read every line of your renovation contract before signing. Confirm the scope of work, materials, allowances, payment schedule, and timeline are all clearly defined. Ask about anything vague — verbal agreements don't protect you. A fixed-price contract with itemized scope is the gold standard.

6. Set up a temporary kitchen or bathroom

If your kitchen or bathroom is under renovation, plan how you'll function without it. Set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, mini-fridge, and hot plate in another room. For bathrooms, arrange access to a second bathroom or plan a temporary shower setup. Expect 2–8 weeks depending on scope.

7. Confirm material selections and lead times

Finalize all material selections — cabinetry, tile, countertops, fixtures, flooring, and paint colours — before demolition begins. Confirm lead times with your contractor so materials arrive when needed. Custom orders can take 6–12 weeks; delays in selection push back your entire timeline.

8. Notify neighbours about the project

Let your neighbours know the renovation start date, expected duration, and working hours. This is especially important in strata properties and attached homes. A heads-up prevents noise complaints and builds goodwill. In strata buildings, formal notice to the council and adjacent units is usually required.

9. Establish a communication plan with your contractor

Agree on how and when you'll receive updates — weekly walkthroughs, written progress reports, or a shared project log. Confirm your contractor's preferred contact method and response time. Knowing the cadence upfront prevents the anxiety of wondering why no one has called you back.

10. Plan your payment schedule around milestones

Tie payments to defined project milestones (e.g., demolition complete, drywall installed, finishes complete) rather than calendar dates. Never pay more than 10–15% upfront, and withhold a final holdback (typically 10%) until the punch list is complete and you've done a final walkthrough.