Although these terms are often used interchangeably, a home renovation and a home remodel are not the same. You may think you have a simple renovation project when in reality, it could be a full remodel. It’s important to understand the difference so you can be fully prepared when it’s time to start planning your project.
Renovation VS Remodel
The key difference between a renovation and a remodel is how deep the changes go. A home renovation can be considered a refresh. It’s only cosmetic only; an update of the existing structure. A remodeling project is better explained as a reconstruction of your entire home or room. It’s a much more complicated undertaking that requires permitting and the help of professionals.
What Is Home Renovation?
Interiors and exteriors become tired and worn after a while requiring updating or a ‘renewal’. A home renovation is a great way to bring a house back to life. It is typically an affordable way to update your home because most changes can be easily and affordably completed by the homeowner. Below are a few examples of the cosmetic changes you can do yourself or with the help of an experienced handyman:
- Interior or exterior repainting
- Install new flooring or carpeting
- New lighting installation
- Replace old appliances with new, matching models
- Replace outdated kitchen cabinet hardware
What Is Home Remodeling?
Think of a home remodeling project as a redesign or reconstruction that involves changing the structure and layout of a room or whole home. Remodeling is considerably more expensive, making financing necessary. Because a remodel involves demolition and construction, hiring an experienced team of contractors, electricians and plumbers is crucial. Below are a few examples of remodeling projects:
- Kitchen addition or floor plan change
- Master bedroom expansion
- In-law suite addition
- Bathroom update or addition
- Finished garage, attics or basement
Which Is Your Best Option?
There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer here. Maybe you just need to update and only need to refresh your decor to get the look you want. Perhaps your family has grown and adding bedrooms and expanding existing rooms has become necessary. Many people opt for one or the other when selling and buying a new home just isn’t the right choice. Trying to decide whether your home needs a remodel or renovation may depend factors such as:
- Your goal for your living space
- Functionality of your home
- Project budget
- Project timeline
Home Improvement Projects Are Always a Good Choice
The difference between remodeling your home and just renovating it may not seem like much at first. Ultimately, the difference and decision comes down to time and money. Most renovation projects can be completed in a weekend and won’t break the bank. Remodeling requires quite a bit of planning and preparation including securing loans and obtaining bids from contractors. Both solutions will definitely improve and update your living space while increasing your home’s value. Now that you know the difference between the two, it’s time to start planning your next home improvement project!