Remodeling Budget Checklist
A practical checklist for planning materials, labor, permits, and contingencies — so your budget survives contact with the actual project.
Define the Work in Order of Priority
List every scope item, and rank it from must-have to nice-to-have. When the budget inevitably pressures the wishlist, you'll know what to cut first without re-deciding under stress. A written priority list is one of the most underused budget tools.
Set Realistic Allowances
Allowances are placeholder amounts for materials you haven't selected yet — tile, fixtures, cabinetry, countertops. Set them at a realistic mid-range level so selections later don't blow the budget. An allowance set too low is a built-in budget overrun waiting to happen.
Budget for What's Behind the Walls
In older Seattle homes, expect unknowns: knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, subfloor rot, and inconsistently framed walls. Carry a contingency of 15–20% — more for older homes or projects that open multiple walls. This contingency is the buffer that keeps surprise discoveries from stopping the job.
Include Soft Costs
Permit fees, design fees, engineering stamps, and temporary housing during a major remodel are real costs homeowners sometimes forget. List them as line items, not afterthoughts. For whole-home work, temporary living costs alone can be substantial.
Track Every Change Order
Change orders are where budgets drift. Keep a written record of every change, its cost, and your approval. A simple running log, updated as the project evolves, prevents the surprise of a large final invoice that doesn't match your memory of the decisions.
- Rank scope items by priority before selections begin.
- Set allowances at realistic mid-range levels.
- Carry 15–20% contingency, more for older homes.
- List soft costs — permits, design, engineering, logistics.
- Log every change order in writing as it happens.
Common Questions
Fifteen to twenty percent is a reasonable baseline for a standard remodel. For older homes or projects that open many walls, lean toward the higher end or above — the cost of discovery is real.
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