Story & Photos By Living Right Designs
There are several considerations to take into account when someone is debating on whether to remodel or refresh their entire home or one room. Remodeling is a far more involved project than a refresh. A remodel involves changing the footprint and moving walls of a home to better serve your family’s needs and function. A refresh of a home may include painting, new counter tops, new flooring, updating cabinet hardware and fixtures, etc. Budget will be one of the biggest determiners of whether one chooses to remodel or refresh. Homeowners who are going through a full remodel often want all the bells and whistles. Whatever motivated your decision, you will need to commit to the remodel/refresh process and all it entails.
Remodeling is a big decision that includes tearing walls down to the studs then making changes and any repairs to the structure of the house. This will change the character of the home through expansions, additions or possible addition of more square footage. Remodeling is normally a ground up change. It can be time consuming and costly depending on the changes that are being made. When someone makes structural changes that renovating requires, there may be a need for several types of permits and permissions from the city agencies or even ones Home Owner’s Association. By remodeling your home this can greatly increase its overall value of your home. This is a good way to try to recoup equity in your home. The results of a remodel are usually more dramatic and can make the entire home feel like a new property. A designer and contractor will involve owners in every aspect of the renovation process, from design and planning to final touches like color and aesthetics. Remodeling can be expensive and the cost can easily run into the thousands. A home improvement loan may be needed which will eat into the home’s equity.
A Refresh will give a home or a room a “new look”, without knocking down walls. This is sometimes done prior to putting a home on the market or just because it was time for a “new house feel”. There are no special permits needed for a refresh, which makes it a smoother process when dealing with contractors. Since refreshing usually costs less, and because it involves repairing and updating a home’s basic features, homeowners will often see a better ROI on refresh projects than they will on remodeling projects when they sell their house. Refreshing will allow you to retain certain feathers such as built-ins or other permanent fixtures in a home. It is also a good alternative for those that prefer DIY projects. A main benefit is the price. A Refresh will cost thousands less than a Remodel and can produce almost the same results in the end.
Here is a final thought to consider when you are deciding if a Remodel or a Refresh is best. A remodel can take months to complete if you are renovating areas such as the kitchen or bedroom. Remodeling can drastically impact the way you live for a long period of time so you may need to stay in a hotel or with friends/family, and the costs can mount up quickly. As for a Refresh, it can be done quickly and can significantly change the look of an area at a minimal cost. Deciding whether to Refresh or Remodel your property can be a big decision. You will want to take into account your budget, time and your final goals for the property.
