Do’s and Don’ts for Managing Home Renovation Projects: Insights from the CEO of Kukun
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Raf Howery, founder and CEO of Kukun, brings a uniquely hands-on perspective to renovation management. A self‑described “serial renovator” and driven entrepreneur, Howery founded Kukun to usher the remodeling world into the digital age, transforming it from a fragmented, offline experience into a seamless, user-friendly platform.
In this CEO-led guide, you’ll get the insider insight behind the Do’s and Don’ts of home renovation project management, drawing directly from Raf’s own renovation journey and Kukun’s commitment to modernizing the industry. Expect strategic planning advice, financial discipline, and leadership-driven methods to ensure your renovation stays on schedule, on budget, and on target with your vision.
Here’s your refreshed, SEO-optimized guide on the do’s and don’ts of home renovation project management, ensuring your project stays on track, on budget, and aligned with your design goals.
Do’s: Best Practices for Home Renovation Management
1. Plan Thoroughly Before Starting
Begin with a detailed roadmap, timeline, scope, key milestones, and financing plans. Include designer input early to finalize critical decisions in advance. Early planning avoids costly changes later.
2. Hire the Right Contractor
Thorough vetting matters: check licenses, insurance, references, and avoid contractors who pressure you. A reliable contractor is the foundation of a smooth renovation.
3. Set a Contingency Budget
Allocate at least 10–15% of your renovation budget for overruns, especially important amid ongoing cost inflation (40%+ material increases since 2020).
4. Break the Project into Phases (Agile Approach)
Adopt a sprint-style methodology: focus on one room or phase at a time, complete it fully before moving on. This prevents overwhelm and helps control costs.
5. Track Financials Closely
Use spreadsheets to detail forecast costs, committed expenditures, and remaining budget. Reconcile invoices regularly to maintain transparency and control.
6. Communicate Regularly
Keep contractors, designers, and stakeholders updated. Weekly (or even daily) check-ins avoid surprises, ensure alignment, and help address issues early.
7. Double-Check Orders & Timelines
Verify measurements and product specs; mistakes in early orders can delay projects by weeks or months.
Don’ts: Pitfalls to Avoid During Renovation Projects
1. Don’t Rush Into Work
Avoid beginning until quotes are in and you’ve selected contractors several weeks in advance. Rushing can lead to sloppy execution.
2. Don’t Let Scope Creep Erode Budget
Avoid adding on features mid-project without revising the scope and price. Excessive changes inflate costs and delay timelines.
3. Don’t Ignore Permits or Compliance
Skipping permits or ignoring safety codes increases liability risk, and most jurisdictions strictly enforce regulations for structural or lead-related work.
4. Don’t Overestimate DIY Capabilities
Know what you can realistically handle yourself and what calls for professional help, especially structural, plumbing, or electrical work.
5. Don’t Neglect Final Punchlist and Detail Checks
Finish with a walkthrough and address remaining issues before final payments. Attention to detail defines client satisfaction.
CEO-Style Project Management: A Step-by-Step Checklist
| Phase | Action |
|---|---|
| Pre-Planning | Scope, timeline, final finishes, contractor selection |
| Contracts & Budget | Final contract, milestone payment schedule, contingency buffer |
| Execution Phase | Sprint planning, regular check-ins, order confirmations |
| Financial Review | Monthly reconciliation, invoice tracking, budget forecasting |
| Quality Assurance | Final walkthrough, punchlists, unresolved issues logged |
| Post-Project Review | Gather feedback, document lessons learned for future projects |
FAQs (CEO Perspective)
Do I need renovation software or is Excel enough?
For smaller projects, a structured Excel-based system with regular check-ins works well. Larger, multi-phase projects may benefit from project-management tools, but only if you use them consistently.
How soon should I choose a contractor?
At least 6–8 weeks before the project starts. This allows time for permits, scheduling, and material sourcing. Rushing compromises quality.
Is 15% contingency enough?
Yes, for most small-to-medium renovations. For larger or more complex projects, 20–35% may be prudent to absorb unexpected issues.
Can I make changes mid-project?
You can, but do so formally. Reevaluate the scope and budget before approving any additions. That clarity avoids budget overruns.
Final Thoughts from the CEO’s Office
Effective renovation management (like any good business) is about strategy, structure, and communication. By planning early, budgeting wisely, tracking progress, and maintaining alignment across teams, you’ll not only stay on time and budget but also elevate the quality and satisfaction of your renovation.
Written by Raf Howery. April 17, 2016
Raf Howery is the founder and CEO of Kukun. Howery, a self-professed "serial renovator" and entrepreneur, started Kukun to transform the home remodeling industry from an offline, fragmented, and frustrating undertaking to an online, modern, and user-friendly experience.
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Thanks for the three main points of managing home renovation: staying in budget, staying within a timeframe, and ensure the best quality. Speaking of quality, one way to achieve that is by getting remodeling materials that are of high quality too. Doing so will not only improve the value of one’s home but also extend its life as well.
I find it awesome that you mentioned that one should stick to one’s timeline no matter what for a home renovation project in order to avoid wasting time and money on it. Speaking of renovations, my mother wants to renovate her bedroom since she feels colder even if the heater is on. She says she wants a decorative door for it, so I will find one immediately for her so that her renovation will finish before winter sets in and help her sleep better at the same time.
I have been wanting to remodel my home. I think it’s so important to make sure you avoid those price changes by keeping in touch with your professionals. I will have to be mindful of that as I start to remodel my place.
I want to renovate my home this spring so thanks for sharing this. I like your point about choosing contractor that are certified so you can expect high quality work. I’ll be sure to ask about their training and experience so I can get the results I want.
This first thing that comes to mind during all home improvement work is the cost. Home improvement can be very costly, especially in a city that is famous for its high prices. It goes without saying that you usually get what you pay for. But i get useful idea from here.Thanks
Thanks for the advice to stick with a specific budget and timeframe when renovating a home. The bathrooms in my home are falling apart with cracks spreading everywhere. My house is pretty old, so I’ll start building a budget and decide on a time when it would be best to hire a renovation service to help me fix up my home’s bathrooms.
Thanks for telling me that task lists are my friends when it comes to home remodeling. I think that time is indeed money so I’ll make sure to hire one that can do the remodel quickly. I’ll try to ask for referrals as much as possible so that I can find a reputable contractor to work with.
You’re right about saying that home renovations are successful with proper management. I think I’ll hire a home renovation contractor that has a quote that fits my budget. Time is money, so I’ll have to hire someone as soon as possible.
I love your project tips. I bet it would be important to have everything on a schedule. That way the project can get finished in a timely manner.
Good work! Your given renovation ideas are very good. It seems so helpful. After reading your blog my ideas got clear. Great job!
You’re right about saying that I have to stay within a specific budget in order to manage my home renovation properly. I suppose I should hire a home renovation service to ensure the best quality possible for this. This way, I’ll be able to save time.
Your post information is very unique and useful Impressive post especially the points you mentioned about the strategies could help me in my business. thank you!
Impressive post especially the points you mentioned about the strategies could help me in my business. Thank you so much for sharing this post with us. I’ll follow your blog posts from today onward. Great Job!
Thanks for the tip to see examples of each contractor’s work firsthand. My husband and I need to find a home remodeling service to use. Following your tips should help us identify a good remodeling contractor!
It’s really smart to have an amount of time allotted to each task on your list so that you can plan accordingly. I’m redoing my entire kitchen right now and I admit I’m a little overwhelmed. I bet making a task list like you suggested will help a lot.
I like how you mentioned that quality is on the professional. I want to remodel my kitchen. I’ll look for a remodelling contractor near me to help with the quality of the remodel.
I agree that one should stick to a specific budget and timeframe when renovating a home. My wife’s cousin has been thinking of performing some renovation to his property. We will notify him about this os he can hire a remodeling contractor for help.
Home renovation is a challenging endeavour, which one can never complete without proper management. The above write-up specifies certain tips that assure optimal outcome under all circumstances. The author exerted utmost effort to describe each point in a comprehensible manner. Please check it out right now, and enhance the insides of your house seamlessly.
The information provided in this article is really valuable for people one should stick to one’s timeline no matter what for a home renovation project in order to avoid wasting time and money on it. Thanks for sharing such an informative article.
Managing home renovation projects can be a daunting task, but adhering to these dos and don’ts can make the process smoother. It’s akin to preparing for the NASCLA contractor exam in Oregon, where attention to detail and adherence to best practices are paramount.
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