In simple words, renovation is when you make improvements, repairs, and changes to improve the condition of your home. On the other hand, remodeling means making changes to the place’s structure, functionality, or design.
If it seems confusing, then don’t worry. This article will discuss this in detail by covering each in detail. This will help you make a better comparison. By the end of the article, you will be able to decide, which one to get and which to avoid. So without any further ado, let’s start addressing the topic “remodel vs renovation”.
What is renovation
Let’s start with renovation as we believe it’s more relatable and easy to understand. Renovation mainly includes repairs, repainting, and other general restoration tasks. It might also include making some minor changes in the structure or setting of your place, but it mainly is restoration. Almost all of us have got a renovation of some sort, whether in the form of repainting the walls or changing tiles. Renovation could be of different types. From getting your bathroom renewed to getting your whole house renovated, it all comes under renovation.
Types
There are many types of renovation. These are bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, garage renovations, bedroom renovations, and more. You might be thinking that all these could be remodeled too. Just replace the word “renovation” with “Remodel” and that’s it. Well, there’s more to that and for a good comparison, we will be taking kitchen renovation as an example and comparing it to kitchen remodeling, later in the article.
Example:
Now let’s analyze what is a kitchen renovation. Kitchen renovation will include the replacement of old flooring, and getting your furniture repaired, refurbishing your cabinets, getting your marble countertop polished. This can also include repairing your plumbing system to avoid occasional leakages. At the end of the renovation, you will be left with a gorgeous and refreshed kitchen. But not a changed one. The furniture will still be in its place, there won’t be two countertops instead of just one, and there won’t be any extra windows installed.
What is remodeling
Remodeling your home or a room means that you are making changes that will alter the overall structure of the place. In some cases, it can also mean, changing the functionality of the area. It includes demolition, removal of fixtures and decorations, removing or adding walls into the place, the addition of more windows and ventilation shafts, changing the whole electrical system of your home, adding another floor on top, getting a swimming pool, and the list goes on. Unlike renovation, remodeling is often of large scale which requires professional help.
Types
Remodeling could be of your washroom, bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, and all the other places of your home that we have mentioned above. The difference will be the magnitude of the changes and their impact on the overall structure, functionality, and looks of your home.
Example:
Continuing with our kitchen example, we will now examine what kitchen remodeling would look like. It includes replacing the cabinets from their place and installing them somewhere else, getting new furniture including the cabinets, removing or adding a new wall to create a partition, adding another stove for more heat, and then creating another large section for windows to compensate for the heat, replacing your wooden floor with epoxy floors, and of course our favorite, whole kitchen demolition and restructuring.
Do you need to hire for remodeling or renovation?
We believe that now you are aware of the difference between the two. Let us help you in deciding which one to go for. We will use some common scenarios that most homeowners face and opt for each of these services.
Scenario 1
If you are facing some ventilation issues, or you feel like the kitchen is just too congested and there isn’t enough space, then you should be getting a remodeling.
Scenario 2
You are continuously hearing screeching sounds while walking on your wooden floor. The floor is cracking and swollen in some areas. You suspect that it’s because of extra moisture or some hidden leak. This is the time to get a renovation to get that floor replaced.
Scenario 3
You are tired of the mere looks of your kitchen. You hate the paint, lights, cabinets, even the appliances. You believe that the dull looks of your kitchen are the reason your food is tasteless. Well, in that case, you should get some professionals to help you renovate your kitchen.
Scenario 4
Your house is old and there are occasional leaks in the plumbing. Your ceiling and floor are both dripping and there are mold spots everywhere. This could be a sign of a deeper problem that cannot be solved just by renovation. It might require minor demolition and you will need a proper kitchen remodeling.
What is the cost?
Another thing that plays a major role in deciding which service to go for is your budget. Renovations are normally smaller in scale and require less human resources and raw materials. That is why renovations are generally cheaper than remodeling. Remodeling on the other hand labor labor-intensive, can last for months, and requires massive amounts of material, thus being expensive.
Now the final price can vary drastically depending on the size and nature of the project. An extensive renovation can cost as much as a small remodeling service, or even less. You should always get an estimate before deciding which one to go for.
Conclusion
Both remodeling and renovation means making improvements to your home. One is aimed to enhance and restore the place. While the other is to make structural and functional changes. Also, there are no fixed standards or definitions which precisely differentiate between the two. There will be people who will consider a job as a renovation and others will consider it as a remodeling. Using the information above, you should be able to make a well-informed decision. Good luck with your home improvement project.