Capturing the Whole Scope Before You Renovate
Hey friends,
Let’s talk about something that can make or break a renovation project: capturing the full scope of work before you begin.
Because here’s the thing—renovations are already full of moving parts. Materials, finishes, timelines, people coming in and out of your home… it all adds up fast. And if the scope isn’t fully laid out from the start, what adds up even faster is the stress.
The “Too Good to Be True” Estimate
Just recently, I was called in on a project that honestly left me horrified. A homeowner was doing a legal basement suite and had been referred to a contractor by her realtor. His price was extremely low—like “how is that even possible” low. But because it came as a trusted referral, she moved forward, hoping for the best.
Fast forward 2.5 months, and this suite that was supposed to be finished in six weeks was nowhere near complete. The homeowner had already had to push her tenants off for two months. And when I walked in? My stomach dropped.
Here’s what I saw:
Drywall completely destroyed
Brand new framing out of line and wobbly
Plumbing in the wrong location and set way too low
Building materials scattered like trash
Degraded, rotting lumber being installed as if it was acceptable
I was horrified. This wasn’t just sloppy work—it was careless. The contractor had caused more problems than he solved, and the client was left with a mess that would cost her more time and money than if the scope had been priced properly in the first place.
Getting Real
At that point, I had to get real with her. She and her husband decided to tackle what they could themselves, and they gave me the rest of the scope to tie up and bring back to life. Our mission was clear: salvage what could be saved, fix what was broken, and do everything we could to respect the original budget—even though it was never realistic to begin with.
Why We Keep It Real From the Start
This experience is exactly why I take capturing the entire scope so seriously. Lowball pricing might look attractive, but if it’s not based on reality, it’s nothing but a ticking time bomb.
I don’t want my clients to feel blindsided, disappointed, or worse—horrified. That’s why I’d rather spend the time upfront to price the real project, not just a shiny number on paper. It means you might not get the lowest bid, but you’ll get the honest one. And with that comes trust, peace of mind, and a project that doesn’t spiral into chaos.
Stress Less, Build Better
Renovations are already stressful. They impact your home, your family, your daily rhythms. The last thing you need is the constant anxiety of wondering, “What disaster is waiting for me now?”
By capturing the full scope right from the beginning, we keep projects on track, on budget, and in integrity. No gimmicks, no games—just real numbers for real work.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about building beautiful spaces. It’s about building trust. And that always starts with keeping it real.
