How to Flip a House For the First Time

Do you love watching programs about flipping houses? It is so cool to see documentation of places being transformed in 23-minute shows. But flipping a home is not as easy as it’s shown on the TV.

We invited a fantastic couple, Paul and Courtney Jewell, to talk about their experience in flipping a house in Calgary. As a couple, they have wanted to flip a home since they got married 17 years ago. Their dream came true this year when they flipped their first house!

As the years have gone by, they built their skill set to be able to achieve this. They started a carpentry business in 2005 and had numerous construction projects. They love doing home renovations for their clients and family members.

Working Together As A Family

Paul and Courtney did a massive renovation in their own house to make it work well for their family. Their house was a 1993 classic with honey oak everywhere, forest green countertops and wallpaper all around. They also did an extensive renovation in Bowness for both of their parents.

They love functional spaces for families. By creating a smart design, they maximize every inch of a house, useful for everyday life.

The couple wanted to do this project on their own to learn the entire process. They took time to raise funds for it. Paul did all the inspections and processed all the permits. Courtney collaborated with him to develop the design and their children also got involved; especially in the demo phase.

Paul and Courtney created a timeline to finish the project in four months. Due to several unforeseen circumstances, like the pandemic, their timeline was extended to six months. Since they have young children, childcare at this time was also challenging.

It was great that the children loved helping with the project. They did several tasks like taking a hammer tool, pulling staples out of the ground and running things to the bin. But there were times when they could not be there, like during painting. The good thing is they have friends and family in the neighbourhood who enjoy looking after their kids.

Going Through The Journey

Flipping a house is undoubtedly a lot of work, but Paul & Courtney would love to do it again and again. They both agree that it will be easier to have a crew to help them given a chance to do so. As Paul said, “Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should do it.” Bringing in trades and more manpower can streamline the entire process.

Having a little crew might cost more upfront, but the amount of time you will save is a good payoff. If bringing in a plumber or an electrician will give you more time to spend playing with your children, then it will be worth it!

Paul and Courtney learned a lot in flipping their first house, and they love the result so much! Because the design was well thought of and they put a premium in executing every detail of their plan, the house looks completely new.

They created an Instagram account to share the process with their fellow house enthusiasts. You can check out their account, @houseofjewell5, to see how they made this house very functional with custom cabinetry and new areas.

Dealing with Changes

As with everything, you can never truly prepare for anything. Paul and Courtney went through many bumps along the road. They have seen some surprising additional work in the house, like redoing the subfloors and changing windows.

There were also external changes like shortages in construction supplies and sudden price increase. In December 2020, plywoods were only $22 a sheet, but now they are priced at $60-$70! Paul’s father helped a lot in the construction, and he even found cheaper flooring in Red Deer. He drove two trips to Red Deer to buy enough supplies for the house.

One thing that Paul learned in the construction industry is to always have a budget cushion. He allotted about 20% overage on their budget to cover additional expenses for unforeseen changes.

More Than Just a Beautiful Home

The Jewell family put in so much effort and emotion in flipping their first house. They want the potential buyer to enjoy a beautiful home and utilize the smart spaces in it. Paul and Courtney even used the property to teach their children the value of hard work.

If you want to do a house flip as Paul and Courtney did, you must be 100% committed to it. There's a lot that goes into it, and you must love the whole process. Find a team to help you achieve your plans and support you through the process.

The house is located at 6207 84th St. Silversprings Northwest. It has approximately 1,800 square feet and has three bedrooms with two and a half bathrooms. It also features a beautiful basement, and all the plumbing and electrical lines were redone.

The new windows are so energy efficient and keep the rooms cool even in the summer. There’s also a nice basketball court in the backyard. It’s really a beautiful home for anyone. If you are thinking of buying a house, you should definitely check this out!

If you have any questions or need help in your next real estate move, you can always reach out to us. Send an email to info@chamberlaingroup.ca or call 587-316-5400.