Definitions. Technically, a renovation and remodel are defined differently. While a remodel changes the form of something (like adding a new shower to an existing bathroom), a renovation focuses more on restoring something old into good repair (fixing up a creaky floor, for example).
The key difference between remodeling and renovating lies in the extent of changes made in the original structure. In a renovation, the original structure of the construction remains and only external changes are done. With a remodeling job, changes are made to the original structure.
Choosing Between a Remodel and Renovation
If you're looking to completely overhaul the look and functionality of your bathroom, a remodel may be the best option. If your bathroom is in decent condition but could use some updates to improve its appearance and efficiency, a renovation may suffice.
A renovation means you're updating an existing structure with cosmetic changes, whereas a remodel involves changing the structure through demolition and construction, explains Jason Larson, founder and president of Lars Remodeling & Design in San Diego, CA.
Extensive home remodel jobs will cost about $47,000 on average,1 while a renovation projects, like painting, updating flooring, or investing in professional landscaping will cost about $15,000.
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Renovations typically involve updating and refreshing a space, which may include replacing damaged flooring, updating hardware, or installing new windows. On the other hand, remodeling can be more extensive as it involves changing the structure or layout of a space.
A full renovation refers to a comprehensive overhaul of the area of the home being renovated, typically involving significant changes to its structure, layout and aesthetics. It often includes demolishing existing elements, such as walls or fixtures, and replacing them with new ones.
This could be a licensed architect or engineer under certain circumstances, such as remodeling a historic home or making major changes such as adding a room or story onto the house. But in many cases a draftsperson or architectural designer could suffice to draw up plans for you at a much lower price point.
Demolition
It's the first major step in transforming your home, setting the stage for the construction to follow.
A renovation improves, refreshes, or restores an existing home with updated, more aesthetically-pleasing finishes. Installing new flooring, replacing a kitchen faucet, or painting a bedroom's walls are all great examples of a renovation–it updates the feel or look of a room, but will not change the room's purpose.
Starting with the Wet Area
The wet area of your bathroom—typically where the shower, tub, and major plumbing fixtures are located—should be your first focus. This area is often the most labor-intensive part of a bathroom remodel and is prone to hidden problems such as water damage or outdated plumbing.
"Plumbing issues or pipe redirection; layout changes that include rewiring; heater placement; floor leveling; and shower doors are usually the most challenging parts—and the most common issues—when it comes to renovating a bathroom", says Alonso Hernández, an independent contractor from Long Island, New York.
Renovation projects usually include repairing structural damage or replacing dated fixtures with new ones. Renovation upgrades can be primarily cosmetic and make a space more appealing to residents, clients or potential buyers.
The difference comes down to your project's goal. If you're simply refreshing your space with new finishes and fixtures, you're renovating. However, if you're looking to take out a wall or two, rearrange the floor plan, and tack on an extra bathroom or closet, you're remodeling.
With kitchen renovation, the basic layout and function of the kitchen remain the same. You may upgrade to new fixtures and finishes, but the foundation of the kitchen remains intact. With kitchen remodeling, those features start to change.
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You can buy a ready made plan, hire an architect or draw your own floor plan from scratch. The cheapest way is to draw a plan from scratch. However, the easiest way is buying and downloading a ready made house floor plan, which is cheaper and faster than hiring architectural services.
For smaller projects, hiring an architect might not be necessary, or even make sense. But if you're considering a down-to-the-studs remodel, significant floor plan changes, or major exterior changes, we recommend hiring an architect.
The 30% rule means that you keep your renovation budget within 30% of the value of your property's market value. The 30% rule avoids overspending and means you don't make costly changes to your property that don't actually provide a healthy return on investment.
For example, home renovations generally include repairs such as painting, kitchen, and bathroom installations, while renovations to workplaces require fire-resistant paints, heavy-duty floor systems that have high chemical and mechanical resistance depending on the purpose of establishment of the workplace.
The Flooring (Usually) Comes First
In most cases, it's best to tackle flooring before you paint a room. Since there's bound to be some light damage to the bottom of the walls and trim during any flooring project's deconstruction and demolition phase, you'll want to do the flooring before you paint.
As an average homeowner, the answer is generally, no. If you're a landlord, you may be able to deduct property additions or improvements from your taxes, including new flooring. As a landlord, these don't need to be upgrades that add significant value, like many tax-deductible renovations.
Definitions. Technically, a renovation and remodel are defined differently. While a remodel changes the form of something (like adding a new shower to an existing bathroom), a renovation focuses more on restoring something old into good repair (fixing up a creaky floor, for example).