It might seem like a matter of pure semantics, but understanding the difference between renovating and remodelling allows homeowners to make more informed decisions about their home improvement projects.
READ: 5 upgrades and renovations that increase your home's value
While the difference might seem insignificant to some, Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says that many homeowners and buyers confuse the terms, and this can often cause a misalignment on their timelines and budgets.
As a brief explanation for the two terms, renovation tends to focus on updating and refreshing existing elements, while remodelling involves more substantial changes to the structure and layout of a space. “The budget and timeframe for completing a renovation versus a remodelling project can vary significantly. Using the terms interchangeably can be misleading and can sometimes lead to false expectations around how long and how expensive the project will be,” Goslett warns.
To provide greater clarity on the terms, renovation typically involves restoring, repairing, or making minor upgrades to existing features and / or structures within the home without changing the fundamental structure of the space. A renovation project might include things such as painting, replacing flooring, or updating outdated fixtures and fittings. These are typically short-term projects and do not cost as much as a remodelling project would.
READ: Planning to sell your property? Home upgrades that increase your home value
Remodelling, on the other hand, goes beyond renovation and involves making significant changes to the structure and / or layout of a space. This may include altering the floorplan, moving walls, expanding rooms, or completely changing the purpose of a space (e.g., converting a garage into a living area). Remodelling projects often require more extensive construction work and therefore typically takes longer to complete and costs significantly more than a simple renovation project would.
“Importantly, most remodelling projects will require planning approval, where most renovations will not. This will also have an impact on timelines and expenses,” Goslett highlights.
Not only does understanding the difference between renovating and remodelling help homeowners plan accordingly and set realistic timelines, it can also impact the expectations around the possible return on investment.
“While both can potentially increase the value of a home, remodelling projects that significantly improve the functionality of a space may have a greater impact on resale value compared to simple renovations. The best way to gain a realistic expectation on the possible returns is to involve a real estate professional from the start. As suburb and industry experts, RE/MAX agents can provide accurate projections on the possible returns for each project based on what’s happening within their local market,” Goslett says.
READ: Renovation pitfalls | 5 ways to save yourself a lot of stress
It’s not that difficult to spot potential problems if you regularly take a closer look at your home exterior. Home-Dzine shares a list of items that should be inspected at least once a year:
7. Roof repairs
Few homeowners take the time to take a closer look at the roof and a quick glance from a distance might not reveal hidden problems. A better inspection can be done with a stepladder or by access to your roof space.
Something as small as a cracked roof tile or roof tile that has slipped out of place can have disastrous consequences. The sooner you can fix this up, the less chance of damage to the property.
Whether you have a clay tile roof, IBR roof or flat roof, you should be able to spot potential problems that could cause damage in the future. On an IBR roof, check wear on roof washers and inspect flashings around the edge. Flat roofs are notorious for leaks, so always be on the lookout for any roofing material coming loose or lifting up.
With older homes it is vital to inspect flashings around skylights and chimneys or along roof junctions where the mortar tends to come loose and crumble. These are repairs that shouldn't be put off.
8. Gutters and downpipes
Climatic change has brought about a drastic change in weather patterns, and no matter where you live, you will have first-hand experience of increased flooding or drought. Excess rains and flash floods can quickly overpower your gutters and downspouts and cause or reveal problems.
It’s difficult to spot problems with gutters and downpipes during the dry season, so when possible, go outside when heavy rains occur to inspect these areas on your house. With the aid of an umbrella you can check to see if there are any leaks or overflow caused by blockages - all of which will damage the integrity of walls and plaster and could lead to serious damages.
By cleaning gutters regularly you can at least tick this off your 'to-do' list.
9. Damage to walls
Checking exterior walls for damage will reveal problem areas that can be attended to before they become serious. Walk around the base of your home’s exterior and be on the lookout for spots where walls, pools, or where trees and large shrubs can damage walls. It's easy for you to cut back or trim large trees that have become overgrown and to dig out drainage if your garden becomes waterlogged with heavy rains.
While checking exterior walls, also check for loose, damaged plaster and bricks, or areas where paint is bubbling or peeling.
10. Inspect windows and doors
Inspect windows and doors, steel or wood, for signs of rust and rot. Windows are often forgotten, especially in a double-storey home where they are not easily inspected, but should not be left untreated. Annual maintenance on steel or wooden window frames will prevent possible problems and eliminate the need to replace them at a later stage. Check the frames themselves for loose panes and areas where glass putty is cracking and then check around the frames for any gaps in the surrounding bricks or plaster.
On wooden window frames it is also important to check for rot or insect infestation, as both can cause severe damage if not attended to as soon as possible.
11. Plan of action
Compile a list of problems encountered during your inspection to decide what you can do yourself or if you need to hire a specialist. If the list is extensive and you simply don't have the budget to do everything at once, determine the order of importance for each project then try to schedule repairs so that you don't have to worry and can complete the work as quickly as possible.
Bear in mind that prevention is always better than cure, and an annual inspection will allow you to spot potential problems before they become serious issues. Don't let a problem escalate - in some cases a temporary fix will see you through until you can afford a more permanent solution.
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