You Need a Budget Before Hiring a GC
Get your numbers straight before you sign anything.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: the biggest source of stress in any renovation? Unclear budgeting. Not the dust, not the delays, not even the decision fatigue.
You can have the perfect contractor, the most beautiful plans, and all the excitement in the world. But without a realistic, itemized budget before you hire your general contractor, you're building on guesswork. And guesswork costs money.
At House of Huck, we help clients see the full picture: scope, cost, and contingency. That way their dream renovation doesn't stall halfway through. Here's how we think about it.
1. Define the Total Scope—Before the Quote
A contractor's quote is only as accurate as the scope it's based on.
We start with a clear design direction, product list, and finish schedule before pricing anything out. When you know exactly what you're building, your GC can estimate labor and materials precisely. Without it? You'll end up comparing vague numbers that shift mid-project, and not in your favor.
Pro tip: Every line item should appear on your scope. Is that Sky White Quartzite or Cristallo Quartzite? Because there is a 20k swing in slab costs + additional changes to be taken into consideration (electrical if you’re back lighting the cristallo, need to adjust the cabinet heights too). Ambiguity is the fastest route to "We didn't budget for that."
2. Understand What's Included (and What Isn't)
GC bids can look comprehensive but hide gaps that show up later as "change orders."
Does the quote include demo and debris removal? What about lighting installation, appliance hookups, or painting?
We help our clients review every estimate line by line. A $150,000 quote that excludes lighting and paint might actually cost $200,000 by the end. Oh, that $29,000 builtins quote doesn’t include installation? Major face palm.
Peace of mind comes with knowing exactly what you're paying for.
3. Plan for Contingency Like a Professional
Even the best-run projects hit surprises: a hidden plumbing reroute, framing adjustments, a shipping delay.
A proper contingency fund (we recommend 10–20%) is smart planning that protects your finances in the long run. Without it, projects pause midway while clients scramble for approvals or financing. With it, your renovation continues smoothly and your GC stays focused on execution.
Contingency is what keeps your project moving when the unexpected shows up.
4. Sequence Design and Build for Efficiency
Here's a question worth asking: do you want to be selecting finishes while your contractor waits on site?
Establish your design plan and budget first, hire your GC second. The construction team will have clear direction from day one, which helps you avoid costly "hurry up and wait" moments.
5. Treat the Budget as a Living Document
Knowing costs before they become an invoice makes everything easier.
Every items should be written out and ideally paid for prior to construction even beginning so you aren’t hit with a “oh shoot, we forgot to factor in the countertop stone and can’t exactly just skip that”
When everyone sees the same numbers, decision-making becomes strategic. This protects both your design intent and your investment.
The House of Huck Take
A beautiful renovation starts long before the first hammer swing. It begins with information: a clear plan, a locked-in budget, and the right team to execute it.
Before hiring a GC, know your numbers and your non-negotiables. That's how you keep momentum going and your vision intact. And in order to do this you need to hire your team well before you want to start the actual construction. There is simply no way to get a dialed in estimate if you are rushing through the documentation portion. And you know what? This makes for a much quicker, efficient and less chaotic construction process.
Ready to take the first step with confidence?
Download Hiring a Designer: A Guide by House of Huck to understand exactly what to ask and how to align your design and construction budgets from day one.