A simple answer for What Is A Renovation is that it is the process of making changes or improvements to any space, including your workplace or home. These changes can either be simple and small updates, like flooring and painting, or big changes like reconfiguring a room. Let’s discuss it more briefly and find out what renovation is, why it is important, its types, process, and what you should keep in mind when going for renovations.
A Complete Guide On What Is A Renovation
Renovation involves improving or updating an existing structure without completely rebuilding it to its functionality, look, safety, value, and efficiency. Renovation preserves the original structure while upgrading materials or features. However, there’s a big difference between renovations and remodeling, as remodeling completely changes the room’s layout and its functionality.
Renovations can include various tasks, such as painting, plumbing, roof repair, flooring, electrical work, or updating appliances, to make the space suitable for new tenants or yourself. These renovations can either be for your residence or your workspace and are different due to varying needs and purposes.
1. House Renovations
Home renovations such as kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom updates mostly focus on aesthetics and comfort rather than safety and functionality. However, both types of renovations aim to improve the space, but their approaches and materials differ.
2. Workspace Renovations
Workplace renovations somehow share similarities with home renovations, but these renovations prioritize functionality and safety. They require specialized and durable materials that can withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions, chemical-resistant coatings, high-performance flooring, and other specialized features.
Why Renovation Is Necessary?
Renovating your property can give you several benefits. It not only enhances the beauty of any space but also improves functionality and increases value. Whether you’re thinking about some trendy kitchen renovations or just want to soundproof a room, renovation can breathe new life into your space.
Applying eco friendly home renovations like insulation, energy-efficient windows, green roofing, and solar panels can reduce energy costs. They also allow homeowners to customize their space to fit their style and needs, making it more comfortable and enjoyable.
Types Of Renovations
Renovations can be categorized based on building type, project scope, and purpose.
1. Cosmetic Renovations
Cosmetic renovations focus on the aesthetic look without major changes. They include re-painting, upgrading flooring and lighting, replacing old fixtures, refreshing cabinet finishes, fixing roofs, adding decorations, trim, or molding, updating facades, and even installing bathroom vanities. These renovations are cheaper compared to other renovation types and are also fast.
2. Functional Renovations
Functional renovations are all about making your space more usable and practical. They involve adding bathrooms or built-in shelving, creating open spaces, updating kitchens, building custom storage, or installing accessibility features like grab bars, ramps, walk-in showers, wider doorways, lowered countertops, or ramps. These updates can help you make your space work better for your needs.
3. Structural Renovations
Structural renovations change a house’s basic structure to enhance its functionality and take much more time compared to cosmetic and functional renovations. Some of them may also require permits and professional expertise and permits. These renovations include rearranging room layouts, removing or adding support beams, repairing walls, and expanding spaces.
4. Energy Efficient & System Renovations
As the name suggests, system renovations focus on essential components and systems to improve safety, energy efficiency, and performance. Energy efficient & system renovations include new wiring, plumbing, insulation, efficient HVAC systems, energy efficient items such as solar panels, lighting, roofing, thermostats, windows, and tankless heaters.
Major Steps In Renovation Projects
Renovation projects can be different and take a random period, such as the time required for kitchen renovations may take 3 to 15 weeks, depending on your project scope, size, and complexity. However, having a perfect plan can save you time and money. Below is the complete procedure to make your project smoother.
1. Planning & Budgeting For Renovations
Before starting your renovation project, make a perfect plan, set clear goals, and prioritize your needs. You may use some top rated home renovation software or hire a professional to survey the area and recommend necessary changes. Also, make a detailed list of materials, costs, and a budget, adding 10 to 20% for unexpected expenses.
2. Designing & Permits
If you’re a perfect DIYer, you can skip choosing a contractor with valid insurance and necessary permits. Otherwise, create a detailed contract outlining your work scope. Make a detailed design that also meets local building codes.
As renovations can increase property value, it’s better to notify your insurance provider before and after the project to update coverage. Make sure to secure the required permits for major projects to avoid issues. After that, place your order for the required materials and items.
3. Demolition & Rough-Ins
Now, start demolishing your space. Save the items you still want to use in the future. After that, start your pre-construction work, including framing for added space, installing new windows and doors, and completing rough-ins for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
4. Construction Phase
The construction stage includes interior and exterior updates and installation, such as insulation, roofing, patching, flooring, and drywall hanging to bring the project to life. After that, move towards painting, wallpapering, and cabinet installation, starting with upper cabinets and then lower ones. Complete sealing the floors, installing backsplashes, new hardware, and lighting fixtures, and any minor touch-ups to finalize the renovation.
5. Final Touches & Inspections
After completing the construction, a final inspection is mandatory. It verifies that the renovation is safe and meets the quality standards.
Key Considerations For Renovations
When going for the renovation projects, there are some potential challenges and considerations to keep in mind. For example, you may get unexpected expenses. So, make sure to ensure a 10 to 20% contingency fund to help manage these unexpected costs.
You may also encounter construction delays due to labor, weather, material issues, and securing necessary permits. To encounter most of them, try to get all the required permits before construction work and place an order for materials before starting construction.
Expected Home Renovations Costs
House renovation costs vary greatly depending on your project scope, size, materials, labor, and location. A gut renovation, or a complete house renovation, can cost you from $45 to $200 per square foot, with almost $10,000 to up to $200,000, depending on your project size and its complexity. However, a partial renovation will cost you less compared to major projects like garage renovations.
Flooring or repainting costs almost $80 to $300 per square foot, while cosmetic renovation takes almost $3,000 to 30,000. Bathrooms take $4,000 to $25,000, kitchens cost $9,000 to $50,000, garages take $5,000 to $30,000, and other major renovations may take more than $50,000.
Bottom Line
House renovations are no doubt a rewarding process that not only boosts your property value but also improves functionality and enhances aesthetic appeal. From garage updates to facade improvements, these projects provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
Just plan carefully and stay informed about trends at smartfixhome.com to create spaces that perfectly suit your lifestyle and needs. I hope the above guide will be helpful regarding your query about what is a renovation and why it is necessary nowadays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does Renovation Differ from Remodeling?
Renovation updates existing elements to a better state or restores a space with minimal structural changes, like updating fixtures or finishes. Remodeling transforms a space by changing its layout, function, or purpose, often involving significant structural alterations.
Do Renovations Require Permits?
Many renovations require permits, especially for structural changes, electrical or plumbing work, or major additions. However, minor updates like painting or flooring usually don’t require permits. Check with local building authorities before starting your project.
Why Do People Undertake Renovations?
People renovate homes for several reasons, including to enhance living experience, functionality, and safety, update their style, and increase property value.
What Is The Difference Between Refurbishment And Renovation?
Refurbishment improves existing features and aesthetics, such as updating fixtures or paint while renovation involves more extensive changes, including structural alterations like new walls or layout changes.
Does Renovation Mean Repair?
No, repairs focus on fixing or restoring damaged or malfunctioning elements, while renovation involves significant upgrades and improvements to enhance functionality or aesthetics.
