Home Renovation and Home Remodeling Have Different Meanings
People often use the terms renovation and remodel interchangeably. While similar, the terms actually have significant differences.
What Are Home Renovations?
A renovation project is typically smaller than a remodel. When you’re renovating your home or part of your home, you’re making a space more attractive, more pleasant or more functional, but you’re not changing the structure or purpose of the space.
Popular renovation projects include:
- Replacing cabinet hardware
- Painting a room
- Installing new light fixtures
- Installing a programmable or smart thermostat
- Painting cabinets or replacing them with open shelving
- Installing a new bathroom vanity, faucet and mirror
- Taking on a small kitchen renovation
Not all renovations are minor. Even some advanced projects, such as installing shingles, replacing windows or replacing a garage door are renovations.
What Is Home Remodeling?
A remodel changes the structure of your house or changes the purpose of a space in your home. This larger scope typically means a larger project.
Top remodeling projects include:
- A large-scale kitchen remodel
- A bathroom remodel or addition
- Enlarging a closet
- Adding on to a main bedroom
- Finishing an attic or basement
- Building a composite deck
Not all remodels are huge projects. Converting a spare bedroom to a home office could also be a remodel and may only involve replacing a bed with a desk, swapping out dressers for shelves or bookcases and adding a desk chair and desk lamp.
Are Renovations and Remodels DIY Projects?
Knowing whether a renovation or remodel is a DIY project or a job for a pro depends on the work and the level of experience of the DIYer.
You Can Do Many Home Renovations Yourself
Since they’re often smaller projects, renovations tend to require smaller investments of money and time. They often don’t require a lot of experience and a basic toolkit will be all you need for many projects. Painting a room, upgrading cabinet doors and hardware, replacing a kitchen faucet, replacing bathroom faucets, replacing door locks or installing a new bathroom vanity top are examples of renovation projects that a person with basic or intermediate DIY skills and tools can take on.
Some renovations, such as installing a new garage door or shingling a roof, however, are best left to advanced DIYers or professionals. Your local codes may also dictate that a licensed professional handle some renovations.
Home Remodels Often Require a Professional
A full-scale remodel may involve demolition, moving load-bearing walls and running new plumbing or electrical lines; most local codes are going to require that a licensed professional do this work. And, since remodeling typically is a larger investment of time and money, it’s often a good idea to leave it to an experienced professional.
If some of the work is suitable for a homeowner with advanced DIY experience, they’ll need to know and follow all applicable codes, have the proper permits and have their work inspected.
Don’t have time to do it yourself? Let Lowe’s Home Services handle your renovation or remodel. From installing a front door to installing a garage door and from bathroom remodels to kitchen remodels and more, let Lowe’s help with installations in your home.
Renovation is Usually Less Expensive Than Remodeling
Cost is another difference between renovating and remodeling. Cost varies widely by location, the specific project and the materials you’re using. For example, replacing a roof, which is technically a renovation, will be significantly more expensive than simply converting that spare bedroom to an office, technically a remodel. You may also notice cost variability based on the demand and availability of materials. However, there are general principles.
Renovation Cost
Since the scope of a renovation project is usually smaller than that of a remodel, a renovation will often cost less than a full remodel.
The cost range in a remodel can be wide, however. Replacing all of your window blinds may only cost a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, renovating a kitchen can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on what you’re replacing or upgrading.
Remodel Cost
A remodel can require more work and more materials, such as lumber to frame an addition as well as sheathing, house wrap and brick or siding for the exterior, doors, windows, subflooring, flooring, drywall, trim, paint and more. Some projects also require an investment in electrical and plumbing changes as well as heating, cooling and ventilation upgrades.
In addition to tools and materials, you’ll often need to factor in the cost of permits and the expense of hiring one or more professional contractors. Again, cost will vary greatly by location, the products you choose and the size of the space, but your expenses could range from the tens of thousands to $100,000 or more.
If your work involves adding to your living space, consider a ductless mini split to heat and cool the new room. Our ductless mini split guide and comparison between mini splits and central air systems will help you decide if a mini split is right for you.
Is Home Renovation or Remodeling a Better Investment?
If you’re thinking about making changes to your home prior to selling it you may be wondering about the return on investment (ROI) of the work. What home improvements give you the best ROI? As with project cost, ROI varies widely by location, project type and other factors.
Some Renovations Have a Relatively High ROI
Basic renovations that keep a home in top shape, for example, replacing a garage door, installing new siding, upgrading an exterior door to a high-grade steel model or installing more efficient appliances, can give you a relatively high ROI.
If you’re planning a larger renovation — like a kitchen remodel with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances and lighting — you may have a harder time recouping the initial expense. However, you may find the improvement to your living space and the enjoyment you get from it well worth the cost.
Large-Scale Remodels May Have a Lower ROI
Investing a lot of money in a bedroom or bath addition or enlarging your deck may give you an ROI that’s significantly lower than the more basic or functional remodeling projects listed above. In these cases, the value may lie in creating a larger, more enjoyable living space for your family. If the changes make life better for you all or make your home more pleasant for your guests, you may see them as a great investment.
Planning a Remodel Means Planning for Permits
The need for permits and inspections can be another difference between a renovation and a remodel. However, the need for a permit depends on your local codes and the type of work, not simply whether you’re renovating or remodeling.
Many Renovations Don’t Require Permits
Simple renovations — for example, repainting, basic new flooring installations, replacing appliances, adding moulding — typically wouldn’t require a permit. However, if the renovation involves electrical or plumbing changes or if you’re installing new roofing, you likely will need to get a permit and have the work inspected.
Most Remodels Require Permits
By the nature of the work in a remodel, you’re likely going to be making structural changes. Changes to the structure of a building or a feature like a deck typically require building permits. There’s also a good chance you’ll be making changes to the wiring, plumbing or HVAC system that’ll require additional permits and inspections. Plan to include the cost of permits in the cost of most remodels.
Are Renovations Worth the Effort and Expense?
Renovations offer several benefits, but there are also some factors you should be aware of so you can set the right expectations. Here are some things to think about.
Pros of Renovations
- A DIYer can often handle renovations; many are suitable for beginners and can boost experience and confidence.
- Many renovations don’t require licenses, permits or inspections.
- Renovations tend to be less costly.
- Renovations may have higher ROI if you sell your home.
Cons of Renovations
- Renovations don’t expand living space in your home.
- If you’re a beginning DIYer, you may need practice to get the results you hope for.
- Renovations may be less noticeable than a remodel.
- If you’re doing renovations yourself, they may require a sizable time investment.
- If you’re inexperienced, you may underestimate the experience, time, money and materials you need for renovations.
Are Remodels Worth the Effort and Expense?
Like renovations, think about the positives and the possible issues that a remodel could create before you begin. Since a remodel is larger in scale and may affect the structure of your house, consider all the factors thoroughly. It may be helpful to talk to a Lowe’s associate or a professional to think the project through. Here are some key things to consider to get you started.
Pros of Remodels
- Remodels can enlarge your living space and tailor it to your specific needs.
- Remodels can create beautiful, dramatic changes in a home.
- Since remodels are often handled by licensed professionals, you can have a level of comfort that they’re doing the job right.
- If Lowe’s is handling the remodel, you get consultation for the work, product recommendations and professional installation and guarantees on the work.
Cons of Remodels
- Remodels can be costly in time and money.
- Remodels are often not DIY friendly unless you’re highly experienced.
- If you’re doing a remodel yourself, you need knowledge of local building codes and may need permits and inspections.
- Some types of work must be done by a licensed professional.
- Remodels can make part of your home unusable for a long period of time.
- The ROI on some remodels can be relatively low if you’re planning to sell your home.
7 Questions to Ask a Contractor or Designer
Whether you’re planning on a renovation or remodel, if you’re hiring a professional contractor or an interior designer there’s information that can help you manage your expectations and plan for the work. In addition to the obvious questions on project cost, here are some things you may want to ask.
1: Can you tell me about your company?
For some renovations and most remodels, you need to know if a professional is licensed, bonded and insured. If the contractor or designer has been in business a long time, you may be more comfortable with their experience level and successes than if they’re new to the work.
2: Do you have references from previous clients?
Clients who have had positive experiences in the past and who are pleased with a contractor’s or a designer’s work will help you find someone you can be comfortable with.
3: Can I get a copy of the plans for the proposed work?
It's good to know exactly how the contractor or designer will do the work so you know what to expect before, during and after the job. If your neighborhood has a homeowners association, you may need to supply the plans for approval. And, when the work is complete, it's a good idea to have a final plan of the renovation or remodel, in case there were any updates to the original plan.
4: What are the license, permit and inspection requirements for the job?
Knowing a contractor is aware of — and will follow — any building, electrical, plumbing or HVAC codes can demonstrate professional work and a high level of experience. It can also be a benefit when it’s time to sell your home. If an inspection finds code violations, you’ll need to address them before you can sell.
5: What kind of ROI can I expect to see for this upgrade?
If the contractor or designer is experienced with the work and with the home market in your area, they may be able to give you rough estimates of how the work could affect the value or selling price of your home.
6: What's included in the work?
If the work requires permits, make sure you know if the contractor has included the cost in their estimate. If their installing new appliances or devices, make sure you get the manuals as well as instructions on how to set them up correctly, if needed. Find out about warranties and guarantees. Finally, you may want a list of all the tools and materials the contractor purchased for the job.
7: What’s a realistic estimate of the time this work will take?
Renovations and remodels often don’t go according to plan. Finding something unexpected like outdated wiring and plumbing, a shortage of materials or delays in getting inspections are just a few examples of factors that can make a job take longer than originally expected. An experienced contractor or designer can prepare you for any delays that might occur.