Remodelling and renovations are two terms that tend to be in common use in the construction field.
Contractors, realtors, interior designers, architects, etc., have the urge to use either remodel or renovate every time a client comes into the house to dismantle or refurbish office space.
Both can be considered as the two sides of a coin, for both reconstruct a place yet are polar opposites.
Key Takeaways
- Remodeling involves changing the structure or layout of a space, while renovation focuses on restoring or updating existing features.
- Remodeling projects tend to be more extensive and costly than renovations.
- Renovations can increase the value and functionality of a property, while remodeling can transform a space’s overall appearance and purpose.
Remodel vs Renovation
Remodelling significantly changes a space’s layout, function, and design. Renovation involves making updates or improvements to an existing space without necessarily changing the layout or function of the space. Remodelling is a more comprehensive and extensive process, unlike renovation.
Remodel houses the opportunity to either completely bring down a structure or partially dismantle it to create a newly designed architectural form that will fight into the modern and more accepted contemporary form of design.
It could also be that only the interior of the house is tampered with and brought down to bring in newer structural aspects.
Renovation is just as one would define redecorating. No construction mess is involved in the renovation, with just stripping down the existing furniture, flooring, etc, playing the major role here.
Given no damage to the original architectural form of the office or home, the renovation process tends to take time when in progress as it has to be done with utmost care because, after completion, they remain permanent until the next renovation.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Remodel | Renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Assistance | It is required | The homeowners of the office staff can themselves do it |
| Government Permits | Needs the permit to complete expansive remodeling | Not required in any case |
| Increase the Property Value at the Time of Sale | Does increase the value | Doesn’t have much of an effect |
| Better for Long Term Use | Has a long term guarantee | Not necessarily for long term |
| Expenses | Expensive as it involves reconstructing | Not as expensive |
What is Remodel?
Remodelling has been a word used since time immemorial by construction site specialists and experts like interior designers to bring about a great change in the structural outlook of a building or architectural form.
It includes demolishing and reconstructing, giving a lot more expensive to the clients of constructors.
Sometimes, everything other than the foundation of the building under consideration is taken out.
Only after this is a new form of architecture introduced into the same space, thereby changing the whole area surrounding the construction too.
But remodelling is not only about destroying a building and reconstructing it.
It may also include combining different elements of a house or the space taken into consideration and bringing about a hybrid creation within the same place.
For example, a kitchen is taken into consideration for remodelling.
This could mean that the owners want it to be made into an additional room or even want to expand the kitchen area by breaking down the walls of adjacent rooms.
Remodelling is all about transformation. The entire nature and essence of the building in consideration are drastically given a completely new look, be it in the interior or the exterior.
Other forms of remodelling a place are either by converting an open empty hallway into a balcony to bring in more shine and sunlight into a closed place, thereby giving it a new and refreshed look.
Most of the processes under remodelling a building involve processes like breaking down walls, expanding the area, adding plumbing and electrical lines, bringing in heating ducts, etc.
Remodelling is always a large-scale project that involves hassle and messes, such as gaining permits from government offices.
Permits are needed if the remodelling includes expansion in the exterior of the house and may increase the building tax of the home or office.
But if the remodelling project stays within the construction, like adding in a new kitchen island or removing walls connecting rooms, then no permits are required.
What is Renovation?
Renovation is a term used as a synonym for redecoration, but only in a professional manner by realtors and architects.
In reality, renovation doesn’t require assistance from architects as there is no rebuilding required.
In general, renovation can be classified as fixing up minor flaws within a room or in any part of the house or changing the house interior to match the inner aesthetics of the owner or the people who reside there.
The original construction of the building is never altered, and therefore these are construction costs in renovating a place.
Renovations are always seen as ways to twist the interior that, includes the furniture, painting of walls, wallpaper, or even the flooring to give the desired look for the place.
In the case of renovations, a room remains a room, or a kitchen remains a kitchen, only that its furniture might be rearranged or replaced.
There are many processes to keep in mind while renovating.
If the floorings are being changed, then care must be taken on the electric wires that run beneath the floors according to the initial and original construction of the building.
New updates on the furniture, lighting, or even replacement of old windows or doors.
Repair works are also included under renovations.
This can be categorized as repainting, laminating, waxing the floors, shinning wood, reinstalling, and even replacing older systems of computers, electrical units, music systems, etc.
Renovation is a small-scale project without a large expense factor and lesser mess and hassle.
Main Differences Between Remodel and Renovation
- While in remodelling, the basic and original construction of the house might be changed, no such changes in the construction are seen when renovating a place.
- Renovations don’t require permits from the respected government offices to be carried out without hassle, whereas in the case of remodelling, a permit from the government is a must, especially if changes in the exterior of the building are a part of the plan.
- Remodelling is expansive as it is always a part of a large-scale project, unlike renovation, which is a small-scale project, with the client’s intentions being only to increase the house’s sale value or for the house to match his/ her interior décor dreams.
- In remodelling, the major cost factors are bringing down existing parts of the house and adding in more constructional and architectural features, whereas, in the case of renovation, the cost factors are all minor, including repainting, an additional purchase of new furniture, replacing old window panes and doors, etc.
- Professional assistance is a need in remodelling as the construction activities have to be monitored by an expert architect or constructor so no lapse in construction could be possible, while the homeowners themselves can do renovations if they have a good sense of aesthetics.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
A comical yet informative look at the complex processes of remodeling and renovation. The insightful comparison table and detailed descriptions bring much-needed clarity in this field.
A very comprehensive and detailed explanation of the differences between remodeling and renovations. The article does a great job of breaking down the processes involved in each, making it easy for readers to understand.
The article provides a balanced comparison between remodeling and renovation, giving insights into the costs, processes, and requirements of both. Well-written and insightful.
This article provides a key takeaway that makes it easy to distinguish between remodeling and renovation, and the detailed explanations paint a clear picture of each process. Informative and well-presented.
The article makes a compelling argument for the benefits of remodeling and renovations, catering to the needs of different kinds of projects. It’s an eye-opener for those looking to undertake such projects.
The comparison table was very useful for understanding the differences between remodeling and renovation. It’s informative and well-structured.