How to Renovate Your Home: A Guide for Regular People

When you’re short on both time and expertise, it’s best to go with a one-stop third-party renovation service like JD.com. At least their after-sales support is easier to handle. Then hire an independent third-party inspector (usually available through the renovation platform, but you’re free to bring your own). Make sure the contract states that the inspector’s feedback is binding—though honestly, it’s not a big deal since you’d just relay the same points yourself. Inspections at key milestones typically cost around 300 yuan, while near-full supervision runs about 1,500 yuan, depending on your needs. If all that’s in place, you can opt for semi-contracting (you buy the main materials to control quality, the inspector monitors construction issues, and you just send a relative to check in occasionally). If conditions aren’t ideal, go for full contracting—it usually works out fine, and if problems arise, most homeowners end up complaining anyway. That’s the general approach.

For the details: pick a rendered design you’re happy with, and ask for a detailed Excel quote listing material brands, models, and construction techniques. Spend some time reviewing it yourself to see if it makes sense. If it does, great; if not, go through it line by line with the inspector’s input, then bake the agreed terms into the contract. Have the inspector monitor against that baseline, and always check with them before making decisions. Just push forward unless something serious comes up. Also, nail down the payment schedule in advance—pay in installments, never hand over the full amount upfront.

If you meet the above conditions, buying materials yourself is worthwhile; otherwise, just go full contract. Either way, you’ll likely encounter headaches and get frustrated no matter what.

As for buying materials, there’s not much to say—just do what works for you. Even the best products are limited by your budget.

If you’re working with a renovation company

1. A reasonable payment structure is usually 30% upfront, 30% after plumbing and electrical work, 30% after final inspection, and the last 10% six months post-completion.

2. Make sure the contract specifies the project timeline (typically 2–4 months), with penalties for delays to protect your schedule. Endless extensions are frustrating.

3. Prefer companies that employ their own skilled workers, as employees are easier to hold accountable for quality standards.

4. Try to include a clause in the contract that you won’t pay for unauthorized additional charges, to prevent low-ball initial quotes with hidden mid- or post-project upsells.

5. Design fees are usually bundled into the total cost; if you don’t hire a separate designer, you generally won’t be charged extra. If design is billed separately, expect around 80 yuan per square meter.

6. Before partnering, request their business license and qualifications. Check for any company lawsuits or disputes, and verify that their design and construction credentials (rated Class A, B, or C) are solid.

7. Visit active job sites to inspect how they handle details like debris management and overall site organization.

8. Clarify whether pricing is based on gross floor area or usable area, and get those figures written into the contract.

9. Clearly specify custom cabinet terms, especially charges for overages. Without advance agreement, these can get expensive later.

10. Confirm the height of bathroom waterproofing (generally 1.8 meters in shower areas and 0.3 meters elsewhere, applied in two vertical and horizontal coats).

11. Address balcony waterproofing as well—many companies include this at no extra cost.

12. Cap any potential extra fees (material substitutions, demolition, etc.) at no more than 5% of the total renovation cost to protect yourself from恶意 add-ons.

13. If you’re doing suspended ceilings, agree on the unit price upfront, and confirm whether wiring, cutouts, LED strips, and spotlights are included—usually they are.

14. Clarify whether curtain boxes are included; the reference price is typically 80–100 yuan.

15. Specify liability and compensation if workers damage materials or household equipment.

16. For latex paint, ask how many coats are included—usually one primer and two topcoats.

17. Before signing, clarify which main materials are included and how substitutions are priced.

18. Check door frame materials, whether they’re included, and how they’re billed. Compare quotes from other companies to avoid being overcharged.

19. Understand the warranty period for overall renovation work (plumbing and electrical typically last 10–50 years, while full renovations usually carry a 5–10 year warranty).

20. Garbage removal is often not included—agree on pricing ahead of time and lock it into the contract.

Common renovation issues (unrelated to materials) and other tips
1. Will the kitchen dimensions accommodate an integrated stove?
2. Is there room for a kitchen cooling fan? (Depends on your region; effectiveness varies, but it’s worth considering if you don’t have air conditioning.)
3. Have you预留 enough power outlets and network ports? (Use decent Cat 6 cabling for better network speeds, and leave extra—don’t skimp. Also, make sure your wall outlets support Cat 6, since many older installations only go up to Cat 5e, which can limit future broadband upgrades.)
4. Double-check that预留 spaces can actually fit your intended appliances: integrated stove, washing machine, refrigerator, sofa, etc. Get the dimensions right, or you might end up unable to fit them. (For example, some refrigerators are 190 cm tall and 65 cm deep, but need an extra 10 cm for ventilation. If you’ve added a ceiling, you might not be able to install it, or proper clearance might be compromised, forcing you to choose a less ideal model.)

5. Also check whether your elevator can accommodate a 1.8-meter bed mattress. Most 26 cm thick mattresses fit fine, but if yours is larger, ask the property manager. Consider a foldable mattress to avoid the hassle of returns.

6. Buy homeowner’s insurance for yourself, your upstairs neighbors, and your downstairs neighbors while renovating—just in case of damage claims. It costs less than 100 yuan a year.

7. Which renovation materials do you need to buy yourself?

A pre-filter (for water purification)—not as effective as a full净水器, but it can filter larger particles and extend the lifespan of your home’s water-using appliances. (You can check out JD.com’s own brand here.)

Floor drains—try to pick a reputable brand for better odor prevention.

Also, if you’re thinking about smart home gadgets, it’s not really worth it. Stick to smart switches and smart plugs. Anything else just wastes time and money without significantly improving your experience (the novelty fades quickly).

8. Avoid unnecessary exterior modifications, and never tamper with load-bearing walls indoors. If someone complains, your property could be frozen as an illegal structure—it’s not fun.

9. Given most people’s schedules, it’s wise to plan your renovation content a year before Chinese New Year, choose your contractor then, and avoid the hottest and coldest months. Start between late February and mid-April, when completion typically takes about three months. That way you can catch June 18 sales for appliances and Double Eleven deals for bedding, then move in after a six-month airing period—basically ideal for a full year. (Most working people only return to stay after Chinese New Year anyway.)

The most budget-friendly option:

If you know a reliable foreman personally, you pay only labor costs with no middleman markup, and you can trust their work. Buy materials yourself (ask the foreman for a materials list in advance). You could save up to 40% of your renovation budget.

If you’re handling it yourself, you might find this useful: Renovation Budget Reference Table (8 detailed versions), renovation checklist, item procurement schedule (browse items and pick brands yourself), and progress management sheet,* (password: nx8u)

Also check out: Renovation Soft Furnishings Summary (How and What to Buy for Furniture and Appliances)

How to Reduce Formaldehyde During Renovation?

Bonus tip:

If you don’t want a ceiling-mounted drying rack ruining your view, consider skipping it entirely and using a foldable drying rack instead. It’s handy for drying bedding too. Foldable drying rack

If you want your living room to feel more spacious, consider skipping the coffee table altogether. A simple foldable table works just as well—tuck it away when not in use to free up space. Foldable small table used as a coffee table

How Ordinary People Renovate Their Homes (An Incomplete Guide)

Renovation Soft Furnishings Summary (How and What to Buy for Furniture and Appliances)

Which Brands and Products Did We Buy for Our Renovation Furniture?