Remodel or Renovate?

Last Updated on August 22, 2022

Tracy Tesmer is founder of Tracy Tesmer Design • Build • Remodel • Repair, a Gainesville, GA bathroom remodeling company specializing in kitchen and home renovations in North, Ga.  Tracy has over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry and hosts a weekly home improvement radio show on WDUN discussing home renovation in North, GA.

Can’t decide whether to remodel or renovate your room? Or perhaps now you’re second-guessing the difference between the two… Often the words “remodel” and “renovate” are used interchangeably, but this is not technically correct. How do you know which one you need? And which factors do you need to consider when deciding whether to remodel or renovate your home?

1) Long Term Plans

What you are planning on doing with your home matters. Renovating might be a good thing to do if you are considering selling your home in the near future. New appliances in the kitchen and faucets in the bathroom will help your resale value. Some home remodeling projects take on a more personal touch, such as an added sunroom or finishing the attic, but might not add value to your home. In fact, some may even make it harder to sell when you decide it is time. Considering your short and long term plans will help you decide whether home remodeling and/or renovating is right for you.

2) Budget

How much money you are going to spend on your project is most likely one of your primary concerns in choosing a home remodel or renovation. Obviously knocking out the structure of your house is going to be more expensive than adding a new refrigerator to your kitchen and putting some new paint on the walls. Prior to beginning a project having an ideal budget in mind and renovating on that budget will keep things from getting out of control and help you be happy with your choices in the end.

More tips on how to renovate on a budget

3) Timeline

The question you must ask yourself is how long am I willing to deal with the inconvenience of a work in progress?  Remember, what television programs complete in one hour often requires weeks and sometimes months.  It is important that you realize that home remodeling and renovations can restrict certain areas of your home for a period of time. Deciding to finish your basement on Thanksgiving by the time the family gets home for Christmas may not be realistic and could become a source of stress. Always keep the remodeling timeline in mind when deciding the next steps in updating your home.

Step back and ask yourself, what am I trying to accomplish? There are many variables and moving parts that go into answering this for each individual. Whether you choose home remodeling or renovation, both are great ways to rediscover your home and make it your own.