If you’re planning on upgrading your bathroom, you may be wondering whether you need a bathroom remodel or a bathroom renovation. Confusingly, these words are often used interchangeably and carry a number of similarities. However, there are vital differences between remodels and renovations that you should understand before committing to a new project. Fortunately, we’ve put together a brief guide to help you make sense of these differences and use the terms appropriately when liaising with our team.

 

What is a remodel?

Put simply, a remodel involves making changes to a bathroom that primarily affect its design, layout and appearance. It does not require significant structural changes to its size or functionality and, therefore, tends to take less time than a renovation.

Most people who opt for a remodel wish to refresh the look and a feel of their bathroom rather than address any structural problems or make drastic changes to its layout. For example, it could include cosmetic alterations such as retiling the walls and floors, adding new countertops or cabinets, or installing a new type of cutting-edge shower with technologically advanced functions.

Remodels tend to be less urgent than renovations, which are often carried out because the bathroom is becoming unusable or severely affecting the price of a house. In this way, homeowners may give themselves a decent block of time to mull over their aesthetic decisions and come up with a bespoke design that suits their tastes.

 

What is a renovation?

As you’ve probably already gathered, a bathroom renovation involves making significant changes to the design and layout of the room. As well as improving its overall look and atmosphere, a renovation will boost its functionality and add a substantial amount of value to a home.

Many of the changes made in a renovation may also be included in a remodel. This could involve, amongst other things, installing new fixtures, repainting the walls, retiling, or overhauling the lighting arrangements. However, unlike a remodel, it tends to be more comprehensive, starting with a total gutting of the room and working from there. This allows for missing fixtures or problems with the layout or structure of the room to be adequately addressed.

Most significantly, renovations often involve updates to the plumbing system. It is relatively common that older homes are missing vital parts such as shutoff valves to the bathtub, for example. By renovating, these problems can be fixed easily.

 

Why are these differences significant?

Clearly, there is a degree of overlap between remodelling and renovating, so why do the differences matter? Well, there are a couple of factors you will need to think carefully about before opting for one or the other. These include:

• Money: Renovations tend to cost more than remodels, so you may be tempted to go for the latter option if you’re working with a tight budget. However, a renovation could save you money in the long term, particularly if your bathroom is suffering from deep structural or functional problems.

• Your bathroom could significantly affect the price of your home: If you’re planning to live in your home for the foreseeable future, you can get away with following your instincts when it comes to choosing between renovating and remodelling. However, homeowners looking to sell will need to think about the durability and integrity of their bathroom, something which could warrant a renovation.

 

Reach out today

If you’re on the lookout for a bathroom remodel or renovation in Newcastle or the surrounding area, get in touch with us today on 0403 694 771 or email barry@designerbuiltbathrooms.com.au.