Demo-Day Ready: The Pre-Construction Checklist That Saves Your Timeline (and Your Sanity)
You’ve picked the finishes, you’ve fallen in love with the renderings, and you’re officially counting down to demo day. 🎉
But here’s the truth: the smoothest renovations aren’t the ones with the fanciest tile—they’re the ones that get the boring-but-critical details squared away before the first wall comes down.
At Gold Hill Builders, we’ve learned that a little pre-construction prep can prevent the most common mid-project headaches: delays, surprise costs, decision fatigue, and the dreaded “Wait… where is that outlet supposed to go?”
So here it is: a real-world checklist to help you get ready for construction like a pro.
1) Confirm the Big Decisions (So You Don’t Re-Choose Them Later)
Before demo, you want “locked” answers on the items that affect framing, plumbing, electrical, and layout.
Make sure you’ve confirmed:
Final floor plan + any structural changes
Door swings (especially bathroom doors, pantry doors, pocket doors)
Window/door sizes (and if anything is being moved)
Ceiling details (flat, tray, beams, soffits, etc.)
Final appliance list (and spec sheets)
Why this matters: If it affects rough plumbing or rough electrical, it affects the schedule.
2) Create a Finish Schedule (Even a Simple One)
You don’t need a design binder the size of a dictionary—but you do need one place where your selections live.
At minimum, list:
Cabinet style + finish color
Countertop material + edge profile
Flooring selection + direction of install
Tile selections (shower floor, shower wall, main floor, backsplash)
Plumbing fixtures (faucets, shower trims, tub filler)
Hardware (pulls/knobs) + finish
Paint colors (walls/trim/ceiling)
Lighting fixtures (or at least fixture types)
If you’re not sure on some items, that’s okay—just identify what’s TBD and assign a “decision by” date.
3) Understand Lead Times (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
Some products arrive in days. Others take weeks (or longer), and a single missing piece can stall a project.
Items that commonly have longer lead times:
Custom cabinetry
Specialty tile
Glass shower enclosures
Interior doors + specialty hardware
Certain appliances
Custom windows
Your builder can help guide this, but the best thing you can do is decide early and order on time.
4) Plan for the “Living Through It” Logistics
Even if you’re not living in the house full-time during construction, you’ll need a plan.
Think through:
Where you’ll park (and where trades will park)
Which entrance will be used daily
Whether you’ll need a temporary kitchen setup (microwave, coffee station, mini-fridge)
Bathroom access (especially if a main bath is out of service)
Kids/pets plan (noise, nails, open doors, dust)
Pro tip: designate one “clean zone” room where construction stuff is never allowed. That one calm space goes a long way.
5) Make Decisions on Electrical Before Walls Close
This is one of the biggest “wish we had thought of that” categories.
Walk through these now:
Outlet locations (and how many you really want)
Under-cabinet lighting
Light switches (single pole vs 3-way)
Vanity lighting placement (sconce vs bar light)
Shower niche lighting (if applicable)
USB outlets
Dedicated circuits (kitchen, bath heaters, specialty appliances)
Where Wi-Fi equipment or TV mounts will live
If you can, do a quick “real life” walkthrough:
Stand where you’ll make coffee
Pretend you’re unloading the dishwasher
Imagine blow-drying hair at the vanity
That’s when the best outlet decisions happen.
6) Clarify How Change Orders Will Work (Just in Case)
Even well-planned projects can evolve. The goal is not “never change anything”—it’s “change things clearly.”
Make sure you understand:
How change orders are approved (email, portal, signature)
What triggers a change order (scope change, upgraded materials, unforeseen conditions)
How pricing will be communicated
How it impacts timeline
Clear change-order processes = fewer surprises.
7) Prep Your Home for a Construction Site
Construction is controlled chaos—so set your home up to support it.
Before the start date:
Remove wall art + fragile décor near work zones (vibration happens)
Clear closets adjacent to work areas (dust travels)
Protect items in nearby rooms (plastic bins beat cardboard)
Decide where deliveries can be placed
Confirm dumpster placement + any town requirements
If your project affects multiple floors, assume dust will travel farther than you think.
8) Establish Communication Expectations
The best builds have steady communication rhythms.
It helps to set expectations for:
Who your point person is
How often updates happen (daily/weekly)
Where selections, photos, and decisions will be documented
When site meetings happen (and how much lead time you need)
Renovations move fast—knowing when and where decisions happen keeps everything on track.
The Goal: Fewer Fire Drills, More Progress
A renovation doesn’t have to feel chaotic. With the right prep, demo day can be exciting—not stressful.
If you’re gearing up for a kitchen, bath, or whole-home renovation and want a process that’s organized, transparent, and built around real-life functionality, Gold Hill Builders is here for it.
Want a copy of this as a printable checklist for your project?
Tell us and we’ll format it into a clean one-pager you can keep on your fridge (or in your project folder).