Remodel vs Renovation: Which Is Right for You?

For many people, the term renovation or remodel is used interchangeably. However, it may become a big deal when dealing with professionals giving your home a fresh look and feel. The contractors will understand what you are referring to but will also be aware of your lack of experience in this field. Remodel vs renovation may mean different things but they refer to subtle and major changes that are made in the home to give an update or make it more functional and habitable.

When planning major home updates or improvements, it is important to get the terminology right. The two projects, renovation, and remodeling are markedly different in characteristics, costs, benefits, and factors to consider. After you’ve figured that out, you should think about your choices such as loft conversion Wimbledon options when you are ready to improve your home. We outline some of the major differences between renovation vs remodel so that you know what each project entails.

Alterations to Structure, Design, and Purpose of the Room

A renovation project will only change the look and feel of a room but will not change the function of a room such as from a bedroom to a kitchen. Only repairs or updates to features are made to the room such as the installation of new flooring, updates to kitchen cabinetry, new paint job, installation of new fixtures such as cabinet handles, doorknobs, faucets, and a new shower. Some structural changes may be undertaken such as when rotten wood planks or panels are discovered or the replacement of insulation material between walls.

Remodeling alters the design and structure of a room: A remodeling project will involve changing the design and functionality of a room or the entire home. Some remodeling projects will require the tearing down of sections of walls such as to reconfigure your kitchen layout, tearing down walls to expand sections of your home such as a bathroom or kitchen. Remodeling is not always about structural changes as it can entail converting an extra bedroom into an office. A remodel may also involve the construction of an addition to your home.

The Cost Factor

A remodeling project will change the physical structure of the home requiring additional works such as plumbing, ducting, and wiring that inflate costs and make the project more complex. You will require the services of professionals such as electricians and plumbers and demand for more materials, especially when building an addition to your home. The final cost of a remodeling project will be dependent on scope and quality of materials and is comparatively costlier in comparison to renovations which are less complex.

It is important to note that remodeling an entire home may be actually more expensive than buying a new home in Aurora. If a home is very old, extensively damaged, or poorly designed, the remodeling cost may run into hundreds of thousands which would most likely mean that buying a new home is the better investment option. Visit this website to see what options you have when looking for a home in Aurora.

Building Permits

To ensure that building codes are strictly followed, remodeling projects can only go ahead after getting the necessary permits. Different local authorities have their own building codes and will demand that you get a permit any time a structure is altered either by tearing down interior walls or building an addition to your home.

On the other hand, many renovation projects will not require permits such as updates to kitchen cabinetry, painting, and installation of carpeting. There are other renovation projects that require a permit even when design and function are not changed such as replacing a roof. A poorly installed roof may leak and damage the integrity of the structure of your home and that’s the main reason why re-roofing requires a permit.

Renovation is Comparatively DIY-Friendly

Compared to remodeling projects, renovation projects are good for avid DIY fans who have the skills and some time to take on the entire project or complete it in sections. Most people will gladly do the painting, installation of wallpaper, hang new doors, or even change fixtures such as door and cabinet knobs and handles.

Remodeling projects are complex in nature and require the services of licensed professionals. Tasks such as framing rooflines and walls, electrical wiring, laying out the foundation, and plumbing will require permits from the local authorities to ensure they are undertaken by licensed professionals and guarantee the safety of the occupants in the completed building.

Return on Investment (ROI)

With renovation projects associated with smaller budgets, they usually provide a better ROI for repairs and updates to a home. Compared to remodeling, you may choose to build an addition to your home at a significantly greater cost and end up losing potential buyers turned away by a leaking roof or a very old furnace.

According to real estate experts, common home renovation and improvement projects are able to recoup upwards of 75 percent when the house is sold. Renovations projects with the highest ROI are the replacement of the main entry door and re-siding a home. Kitchen renovation projects are capital intensive and will see a 60 percent ROI whereas the addition of a master en suite is associated with a 50 percent ROI.

Remodeling is often recommended for a poorly designed house such as a poor layout of rooms where you must walk through critical rooms to get into others or plumbing has been installed on the exterior wall making them freeze every winter. Old homes also have poor designs since there were no building codes to adhere to at the time. In these instances, a renovation will not offer a long term solution. Remodeling is the only solution to these problems and giving the house a more updated look and feel.

However, it is good to note that some historic homes that are protected under the law cannot be remodeled. Such homes cannot be altered structurally and the homeowners are encouraged to restore them to their original look and style.

In conclusion, you must know the differences between renovation and remodeling projects depending on the work you want to be done or to undertake yourself. Knowledge of what needs to be reworked in a house is particularly important if the house is to be placed in the real estate market so that buyers are informed of what they are buying.