What is it?
the difference between Remodeling and Renovation
When planning major home improvements, understanding the distinction between “renovation” and “remodel” can help ensure you and your contractor are on the same page. While both types of projects can enhance and update your living space, each has unique characteristics, benefits, and considerations. Here’s a closer look at six essential differences between renovations and remodels to help you determine the best approach for your home.
Renovation Refreshes Without Changing Intended Purpose
A renovation focuses on updating the appearance and feel of a space without changing its primary purpose. For instance, a kitchen remains a kitchen, and a bedroom stays a bedroom, but they’re enhanced with improvements such as painting, new flooring, and upgraded fixtures like cabinet knobs or faucets. Some renovations might involve light structural repairs as well. For example, if areas with rotted wood are found, they’ll be rebuilt, but only to restore the structure—not to redesign it.
Remodels Change Both Design and Function
When remodeling, both the functionality and design of an area can be transformed. Remodeling may involve tearing down walls to expand a space, reconfiguring a kitchen layout, or even building an addition to the home. Unlike a renovation, remodeling can change the room’s purpose—like turning a guest bedroom into a home office.
Structural Changes Make Remodeling More Complex
Because remodels often involve modifying the home’s structure, they typically require more extensive work on wiring, plumbing, and ductwork. These complexities add to the project’s cost and time requirements, as they may require permits, inspections, and more specialized labor. Renovations, by comparison, are often simpler, as they focus more on surface-level changes rather than deep structural work.
Remodeling Is Typically More Expensive Than Renovating
With the added complexity of remodels, you can expect a higher price tag. Beyond labor, the materials used in remodels are often costlier, especially when building new additions or making major changes to existing layouts. On the other hand, renovations are often more budget-friendly, as they focus on aesthetic updates rather than structural modifications.
In a simple sentence, renovations update and repair, while Remodels redesign and change.
- Repainting walls
- Replacing Siding
- Replacing windows or doors
- Refreshing Deck or Patio
- Adding a room addition
- Expanding a kitchen or bathroom
- Building a new porch or patio
- Altering the homes facade
References
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) https://www.nahb.org/
- provides insights on the costs and considerations in renovation vs. remodeling projects
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – https://www.hud.gov/
- offers guides on home improvement classifications and standards