Renovating a home is exciting—but knowing who to hire and when can be overwhelming.

Hiring contractors in the wrong order can lead to unnecessary rework, budget overruns, and costly delays.

At Eva, we help take the guesswork out of home renovation by providing a clear, step-by-step plan so you can stay on track and on budget. Whether you're flipping a house or renovating your dream home, here’s the ideal order to hire your trades and a 3-month sample timeline to guide you.

Following this order ensures efficiency, avoids rework, and keeps everything moving smoothly:

The Ideal Order for Hiring Trade Contractors

1. Architect (Before You Start)

• Helps plan layout changes, structural adjustments, and design vision.

• Ensures compliance with local codes & permits before work begins.

2. General Contractor (Pre-Project & Overseeing Everything)

• Hires and coordinates all trades to keep the project running on time & budget.

• If you manage the renovation yourself, you’ll need to line up each contractor in advance.

3. Demolition Crew (Week 1-2)

• Removes old flooring, walls, cabinets, fixtures, etc.

• Clears space for framing, plumbing, and electrical work.

4. Foundation & Structural Work (Week 3-4)

• Includes framing, reinforcing foundation, adding beams for structural changes.

• MUST be done before plumbing, electrical, or HVAC starts.

5. Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Rough-Ins (Week 4-5)

• These are the “behind-the-walls” systems—installed before drywall goes up.

• This step includes installing pipes, wiring, ductwork, and vents.

6. Insulation & Drywall (Week 6-7)

• After inspections of rough-ins, walls are insulated and drywall is installed.

• This step makes the house feel like an actual home again.

7. Flooring (Week 8-9)

• Wood, tile, vinyl, or carpet—installed after drywall but before final paint.

• This prevents damage from paint splatters but ensures smooth transitions between spaces.

8. Cabinets & Built-Ins (Week 9-10)

• Kitchen & bathroom cabinets, shelving, and built-in features go in.

• Avoid installing too early—cabinets can be damaged if floors & drywall aren't finished.

9. Countertops & Tile (Week 10-11)

• Once cabinets are in, countertops are measured, fabricated, and installed.

• Tile backsplashes, showers, and accent walls are completed.

10. Painting (Week 11-12)

• Final coats of paint go on once major installations are complete.

• Avoid painting too soon—you don’t want touch-ups after cabinet or flooring installs.

11. Fixtures & Appliances (Week 12-13)

• Light fixtures, faucets, sinks, and appliances are installed last.

• This prevents damage during construction.

12. Final Cleanup & Walkthrough (Week 13-14)

• Professional cleaning prepares the home for move-in or sale.

• Punch list items (last fixes & touch-ups) are addressed.

If you're targeting a full-house renovation in 3 months, here’s a week-by-week breakdown to stay on track:

3-Month Sample Renovation Timeline

Month 1: Planning & Prep Work

📅 Week 1-2: Finalize permits, plans, hire contractors
📅 Week 2-3: Demolition begins (removing old walls, floors, cabinets)
📅 Week 3-4: Structural work & framing

Month 2: Behind-the-Scenes Work

📅 Week 4-5: Plumbing, electrical, HVAC rough-ins
📅 Week 5-6: Inspections & drywall installation
📅 Week 6-7: Flooring installation begins

Month 3: Finishing Touches

📅 Week 8-9: Install cabinets & countertops
📅 Week 9-10: Install tile, backsplashes, and painting prep
📅 Week 10-11: Final painting & touch-ups
📅 Week 11-12: Install fixtures, appliances, final walkthrough & cleanup

• Order materials EARLY – Avoid delays by ordering flooring, tile, cabinets, and lighting at the start of the project.

• Use Eva for a clear design vision – Pre-curated room templates prevent last-minute decisions that delay projects.

• Work with reliable contractors – A bad hire can derail the entire timeline—Vet professionals carefully.

• Stick to the order of operations – Skipping steps or doing things out of order = costly rework & wasted time.

Final Tips for Staying on Track

Save Time & Money with Eva

Need help making faster & smarter renovation decisions? Eva simplifies the process with:

✔ Curated designs & materials – No guesswork, just beautiful pre-selected options.
✔ One-click order sheets – Get everything sourced & ordered in advance.
✔ Trade discounts (Eva Pro) – Save 10-25% on materials & fixtures.

Stay on track, avoid costly mistakes, and make your renovation effortless. Join Eva today!