Where to Start With a Whole Home Remodel in Wausau

“I want to renovate my house. Where do I start?” 

Whole home remodeling can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re trying to understand what’s possible, what it might cost, and how the process works here in the Wausau area. If you’re dreaming of a more functional layout, updating an older home, or planning a full home renovation, the first step is gaining clarity and choosing a team that can guide you with confidence.

In this guide, we’ll look at things to consider before doing a whole-home remodel, what your first steps should be, and the home remodeling process here in Wausau.

On this page:

• What Is a Whole-House Remodel, and When Does It Make Sense?
• What to Consider Before Starting a Whole Home Remodel in Wausau
• Where Is the Best Place to Start When Renovating a House?
• Should You Hire a General Contractor or Individual Tradespeople for a Full Remodel?
• Your Step-by-Step Home Renovation Checklist
• Begin Your Whole Home Remodel the Right Way

What Is a Whole-House Remodel, and When Does It Make Sense?

A whole-house remodel is a renovation that updates multiple areas of the home at once. Instead of tackling projects in phases over several years, homeowners choose a whole-home approach when they want a cohesive, fully transformed space that better supports the way they live.

For many families in the Wausau area, a whole home renovation becomes the right choice when:

• You love your neighborhood, view, or land, but your home no longer fits your lifestyle.
• Your home’s layout feels chopped up or outdated compared to how you’d like to live.
• You’ve recently purchased a home (often on the lake or in a sought-after neighborhood) that needs updating before you settle in.
• You want to improve flow, functionality, efficiency, and appearance all at once.

Whole-home remodeling can include new layouts, updated mechanicals, remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, finished basements, additions, and reimagined living spaces. Because all of these components interact with each other structurally and aesthetically, working with a single whole-home remodeler means the entire home ends up cohesive and intentionally designed.

For the right home and the right location, especially in high-value areas around Wausau, Rib Mountain, Lake Dubay, and beyond, whole-house remodeling can be a smart investment that enhances comfort, long-term value, and the way you enjoy your home every day.

Choosing a whole-house remodel is a meaningful step toward creating a home that truly fits your life. When you choose Ross Construction for your home renovation, you get a trusted guide who knows exactly how to plan a home renovation in Wausau. We know matters most for our local homes, neighborhoods, and climate. 

What to Consider Before Starting a Whole Home Remodel in Wausau

Before you dive into a whole-home remodel, it’s important to understand the unique considerations that come with renovating in the Wausau region. Planning ahead prevents surprises and gets you the best possible outcome from your investment.

Here’s what to think about before you begin:

Your Budget and Investment Range

Whole home renovations can vary widely in cost, especially when kitchens, bathrooms, or basements are included. Homeowners in Wausau often blend these spaces into one larger project.

Learn more in our Cost Guide.

Knowing these benchmarks helps you plan realistically and avoid budget shock later.

The Age and Condition of Your Home

Homes in Wausau and the surrounding towns often include:

• Settling and structural quirks
• Outdated electrical, plumbing, or HVAC
• Multiple remodels over decades
• Insulation needs due to Wisconsin winters

These conditions don’t prevent remodeling. They simply shape the scope. Planning with these realities in mind helps you avoid unexpected additions to your project budget.

Lifestyle and Living Arrangements During Construction

In Wisconsin, remodeling through winter requires careful planning around temperature, weather, and access. You’ll want to consider:

• If you’ll live at home during the project
• Temporary kitchens or bathrooms
• Safety zones for kids, pets, and daily life
• If phasing or all-at-once construction is best

We help you make a plan that minimizes stress and keeps your family comfortable.

Local Permits, Approvals, and Zoning Rules

Every municipality around the Wausau area has its own rules. Whole home remodels often require:

• Structural review
• Architectural plans
• Mechanical updates
• Permit applications
• Inspection scheduling

Hiring the right contractor means these items are handled for you.

Starting a whole home remodel is a big step, and understanding these considerations helps you move forward with clarity and confidence. Ross Construction guides you through budgeting, planning, permits, and everyday living logistics so you know what to expect during a home remodel in Wausau long before construction begins.

Discover more about our Whole Home Remodeling work.

Where Is the Best Place to Start When Renovating a House?

Whole-home remodeling can feel overwhelming at first, but the good news is the starting point is always the same: clarity. It is always the first step to remodeling a house in Wausau.

Before you look at selections, layouts, or pricing, start with three simple steps:

1. Define Your “Why”

A successful whole-home remodel begins with understanding what’s driving the change. Ask yourself:

• What about my home isn’t working anymore?
• What do I wish my home could do for me that it doesn’t do today?
• How do I want my home to feel when the project is complete?

Your answers create a foundation that guides every design and construction decision ahead.

2. Identify Your Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves

A whole home remodel naturally comes with a lot of possibilities. Creating a simple list helps you stay grounded:

• Must-haves: the functional or layout changes you cannot live without
• Nice-to-haves: design upgrades or features you’d love, but that can flex based on budget

This early clarity helps your remodeling team shape a realistic scope right from the start.

3. Get a Professional Walkthrough Early

The next step is to bring in a trusted remodeling contractor in Wausau to walk the space with you. A walkthrough allows a professional to:

• Identify structural limitations or opportunities
• Catch potential surprises early
• Provide ballpark pricing ranges for different scopes
• Help you understand what’s possible

For Wausau homeowners, this step is especially important because many homes in the region were built decades ago, and older framing, mechanical systems, and past DIY updates can influence what’s feasible. Early guidance saves time, reduces stress, and prevents costly redesigns down the road.

With these three steps, you’ll have a confident, clear starting point, and you’ll be ready to move into the next phase: complete home remodeling with a team that knows how to guide you every step of the way. Ross Construction knows where to start with a home remodel in Wausau, and we’ll make sure you’re ready every step of the way.

Should You Hire a General Contractor or Individual Tradespeople for a Full Remodel?

For small projects like installing a new door or replacing a fixture, individual tradespeople can absolutely make sense. But for complete home renovations, the answer is almost always the same: hire a general contractor.

Here’s why:

A Whole Home Remodel Has Many Moving Parts

Coordinating electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC techs, drywall installers, painters, flooring companies, and more becomes a full-time job. Sequencing these trades correctly is essential to avoid delays, mistakes, and rework.

When you hire a whole-home remodeling contractor, you get:

• One point of contact
• One schedule
• One clear process
• One accountable team

This keeps the project streamlined and predictable, which is exactly what homeowners need during a major renovation.

You Don’t Have to Manage Design, Permits, or Inspections

A general contractor handles all of this for you, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks and every phase is completed correctly and safely.

You Reduce Stress and Increase Project Quality

The more complex the remodel, the more important overarching coordination becomes. With trades operating independently, your project becomes vulnerable to:

• Conflicting ideas
• Inconsistent timelines
• Communication gaps
• Missed details
• Cost overruns

Ross Construction’s design-build approach eliminates that risk by guiding you from start to finish with clear communication, proactive planning, and a fully integrated team.

Your Vision Is Protected

In a whole-home remodel, your kitchen affects your living room… which affects your flooring… which affects your lighting… which affects your structural layout. A general contractor keeps everything cohesive and makes sure the final result flows beautifully from one space to the next.

When you’re preparing for a full home renovation in Wausau, having one trusted team manage the entire process makes all the difference. That’s why so many homeowners turn to Ross Construction. With our coordinated design-build approach, clear communication, and experienced team, we make sure your remodel stays cohesive, efficient, and stress-free from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.

Your Step-by-Step Home Renovation Checklist

A whole home remodel becomes much easier to understand, and far less overwhelming, when you break it into clear, predictable steps. Ross Construction guides homeowners through a proven home remodeling process in Wausau that removes confusion and builds confidence from the very first conversation.

Below is a simplified checklist for renovating a house. It’s a roadmap you can follow before, during, and after your project.

1. Initial Phone Conversation

This first call helps us understand your goals, your timeline, and your budget expectations. We’ll discuss what’s possible based on similar projects and give you early clarity on whether your vision aligns with your intended investment.

2. On-Site Visit and Home Evaluation

Next, we walk through your home with you to understand the layout, structural considerations, mechanical systems, and design opportunities. This visit reveals items you may not see on your own.

3. Ballpark Pricing

After the walkthrough, we provide a high-level cost range based on your goals and the real conditions of your home. This isn’t a guess. It’s informed by decades of local experience and similar projects we’ve completed. At this stage, we often talk about potential phasing options too.

4. Design Phase

Once the ballpark aligns with your budget, we begin design. This includes layout planning, finish selections, and architectural drawings if required. Our in-house designer and our trusted architectural partners help you make decisions with confidence.

5. Detailed Estimate

With a design finalized, we prepare a full, transparent estimate. You’ll see the exact breakdown of materials, labor, allowances, and options. No surprises. No vague numbers. Just clarity.

6. Finalize Plans and Contract

Here, we lock in your selections, schedule, and project scope. Everything becomes fully defined so construction can move forward smoothly and predictably.

7. Construction Begins

Our team manages every detail with clear communication, daily coordination, and high-quality craftsmanship. You’ll always know what’s happening next and why.

8. Final Walkthrough and Warranty

Once construction is complete, we’ll walk through your newly remodeled home with you to identify any final touches. Then we back your project with our 3-year warranty, because your peace of mind matters long after we leave.

This process keeps homeowners informed, supported, and excited through every phase of their whole home remodel.

Begin Your Whole Home Remodel the Right Way

One of the most important first steps in any whole-home remodel is choosing the right team to guide you. The people you partner with will shape every part of your experience. Ross Construction believes homeowners deserve a remodeling partner who listens closely, communicates clearly, and manages every detail with care. 

We’ve helped homeowners across Wausau, Rib Mountain, Lake Dubay, and the surrounding communities bring clarity to the remodeling process and confidence to every decision. Our design-build approach, transparent communication, and proven step-by-step system mean your full home renovation in Wausau is supported from the first phone call to the final walkthrough.

Contact Us

Contact us today to start your whole home remodel.