Homeowners considering a full home renovation project often find themselves faced with a difficult decision: should the remodel be tackled all at once or approached in phases? This question isn’t just about managing disruptions or financial considerations. It’s deeply tied to the vision homeowners have for their homes and the challenges they’re prepared to face to see that vision come to life. Deciding whether to remodel all at once or in phases can impact the remodel timeline, cost, design consistency, and functionality.
Our team at Lamont Bros. Design & Construction is no stranger to these pivotal decisions homeowners face. As a renowned design-build remodeling firm, we’ve collaborated with hundreds of homeowners, each with unique needs and visions for their homes. These experiences have equipped us with the understanding required to weigh the benefits and challenges of both phased and full remodels, ensuring that each project aligns with a homeowner’s goals and constraints.
In this article, we aim to guide you through the intricacies of the two remodeling approaches: phased versus all-at-once. Whether you’re leaning towards a step-by-step transformation or a complete overhaul, the insights in this article will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision. The topics we’ll discuss include:
Before you can decide whether to phase your home remodel or do it all together, you first need to understand the difference between the two options and how they can affect your budget, lifestyle, and outcome.
Phased remodeling involves breaking down your renovation project into smaller, manageable phases. This can be a strategic approach that allows you to renovate different areas of the home piece by piece.
Each phase focuses on specific areas or aspects of your home. For example, you might start a phased home remodel by renovating your basement and then moving on to the kitchen and bathroom once that is completed.
Phased remodeling is often used for major renovations like whole-home remodels, where the homeowner wants to remain in the home while gradually transforming it room by room or section by section.
In a phased remodel, homeowners budget for and secure financing for each phase separately. This means that instead of needing to secure funding for the entire project upfront, they can focus on one phase at a time.
However, this also means that each phase may be subject to different financing terms based on the condition of the market. If you plan to seek a loan for your remodel, recognize that financing a remodel in phases means you may risk ending up with less favorable loan terms down the road if the market changes for the worse. However, it’s also possible that the market changes for the better, resulting in lower interest rates for your future phases.
Rather than doing it in phases, you could remodel all at once in a single project. A full remodel is a comprehensive renovation where every aspect of the remodel is addressed as part of a single end-to-end process, resulting in a complete transformation.
Full remodels are often necessary for homes needing urgent and extensive renovations where a definite and single process is more important to the homeowner than flexibility or keeping the home livable during renovations. This option also ensures that the final product has a cohesive, uniform design throughout the entire property.
Mortgage lending for a full remodel usually involves securing a single renovation loan for the entire project. Because every aspect of the remodel falls into the same financing, it will require a larger upfront financial commitment.
However, choosing to remodel all at once rather than in phases comes with the added benefit of locking in your financing terms for the entire project. If the lending market improves and interest rates decrease, you can refinance later. However, having your entire remodel under one loan can save a lot of confusion while also reducing the financial risk associated with a changing economy.
Deciding whether to remodel all at once or in phases can be a difficult decision that depends on your specific circumstances. For some homeowners, the benefits of one option may outweigh the other.
While offering more flexibility in terms of design and financing, phased remodeling may incur duplicate costs and carry more financial risk in general.
Full remodeling is a great option for homeowners who want a predictable project with a set trajectory, schedule, and cost. However, a full remodel is a much larger commitment and does reduce the amount of flexibility for the project once it begins.
Now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option, you can begin to explore whether remodeling all at once or in phases is right for your home project.
After reading this article, do you feel more confident in your understanding of the difference between remodeling all at once vs. in phases? Now that you’re equipped to make an informed decision for your home, take the next step in your remodeling journey. Download our free guide, “6 Steps to a Successful Remodel,” where we’ll walk you through a simple, proven process that will help you navigate your remodeling journey.
Think you’re ready to start remodeling your home? If so, click the button below to schedule a free design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll guide you through each step of the remodeling process so you can turn your current home into your dream home.