Remodeling vs Renovation: What’s the Difference?
People often use remodeling and renovation interchangeably, but they actually mean different things in the construction and home improvement world!
Renovation
Definition: Restoring or updating what already exists.
Focus: Repairs, upgrades, and refreshes.
Examples:
Repainting walls
Replacing flooring
Updating cabinets with new hardware
Refinishing woodwork
Goal: To make the space look newer, fresher, or more modern without changing its original purpose or structure.
Remodeling
Definition: Changing the structure, layout, or purpose of a space.
Focus: Transformations and reconfigurations.
Examples:
Knocking down a wall to create an open floor plan
Adding a new bathroom where there wasn’t one before
Expanding the kitchen into another room
Converting a garage into living space
Goal: To alter the design, function, or flow of the space—a true transformation rather than just an update.
In short:
Renovation = refresh and repair.
Remodeling = reconfigure and reinvent.