Renovation vs. Remodel: What’s the Difference?
Originally published – 21/12/2020 // Remodelled – 17/02/2023
Renovation and remodelling are the two most common words in construction, real estate, interior design and contracting. However, there is a significant difference between them. To renovate means to “revive” or restore something to a previous state through upgrades – repainting, refacing, and restoring. Remodel, on the other hand, is to restructure the form of something, to “remake” essentially.
What Does Renovation Mean?
In the broadest sense, renovation means to make new again. When you apply this definition to renovation or construction in general, it could mean anything from repairing to installing new fixtures to adding finishes and refacing cabinets.
No matter the kind of renovation work, the original design is never changed dramatically. An office remains an office, and a kitchen remains a kitchen. Instead, it is simply upgraded, repaired or just tweaked to complement the rest of the office or home design. Renovation is also done to match new or revised standards.
What About Remodeling?
A complete transformation of the design, layout, structure or style of a room is a remodel. Unlike renovation, which involves reviving or repairing the house, remodelling means altering a room’s layout, structure, or purpose. This entirely changes the structure of the room, kitchen, or whichever part is being remodelled.
Remodelling: A Better Solution To Poor Home Design
Having a poor home design or layout can affect you. Imagine having to walk through one bedroom to get to another. Or if the water supply lines to your kitchen are installed in the exterior wall, the water will freeze nearly every night. Simply renovating won’t help you solve these issues, and redesigning or remodelling is the solution.
Renovation: Better Return On Investment (ROI)
Renovation costs are comparatively less than remodelling. Because renovation involves repairing and updating basic features, you will receive a better ROI than remodelling.
Yes, you can completely change a room or add a master bedroom to your home (remodelling), but it will fetch you a lower ROI than renovations. Why? Because upgrades tend to increase property value, even with a huge home or office building, if your roof leaks or the door is old and rusty, buyers or tenants may not be inclined to make it their own.
If you have read “Remodeling Magazine,” then you may be aware of the annual cost vs. value analysis of home improvement projects. This analysis states that renovation projects, such as re-siding a home, bring approximately 98% net ROI. However, in the case of a major kitchen remodelling, it only yields about 60% ROI.
Renovation vs. Remodel: Which Costs More?
Remodelling projects almost always cost more than renovation projects. Remodelling involves complex design and layout changes. This requires more man-hours, materials, machinery, electric expenses, and much more.
To Summarize:
- Renovation involves upgrading basic features, repairing, etc. While remodelling involves complex movement, construction, and or redesign.
- Remodelling helps improve home design and layout, whereas renovation improves curb appeal.
- Renovation tends to result in a better ROI.
- Remodelling is often costlier than renovation.
Make your ideas a reality with Bilt
Here at Bilt, our construction and renovation experts have decades of combined experience planning, developing, and executing projects. Everything from completely new, large-scale builds to small office renovations in older buildings. No matter how large, small, simple, or complex your project is, we’d love to help you make it a reality.
Our experience as design-builders means we can help you with any stage of the project. Whether you’ve got a detailed plan already and are just looking for builders to make it happen or just an idea that we can help you plan and budget, we’re happy to help however we can.