Here’s What Most Homeowners Choose — And Why
Thinking about updating your home this summer? You might be wondering: Should I renovate or remodel? While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not quite the same. The key difference is cost and complexity. Today, for a variety of reasons including financial, most homeowners choose renovation.
Renovation = Refreshing What You Have
Renovation means updating or restoring a space without changing its structure. It’s often quicker to accomplish and less expensive than remodeling, while delivering just as much wow factor. Some popular renovation projects include:
Kitchen updates: Swap countertops, tile, flooring or fixtures for a fresh look. Today’s technology enables painting your existing cabinets with a factory-quality finish that can usually be done within a week. If you hire Get Dwell for your project, you’ll be pleased to know that renovation you’ll have the use of your kitchen — including during the evenings, when it’s needed most.
Bathroom upgrades: Install new fixtures, lighting, tile or countertops. Add special touches such as a towel warmer to create a spa-like feel, or more storage to minimize clutter and increase aesthetics.
Walls and trim makeovers: Remove old wallpaper, paint walls, refinish wood trim or add crown molding for a clean, updated aesthetic.
Remodeling = Changing the Structure
Remodeling entails altering your home and its layout, for example, removing walls, relocating plumbing or expanding rooms. It involves a bigger financial investment and usually requires more time and permits than renovation projects do.
The Verdict: Renovation Wins for Most Projects
Unless your space needs a full overhaul, renovating is often the smarter move — especially if you’re prepping to sell, maximizing ROI, or just want a fresh look without the cost of major construction.
Get Dwell’s Remodeling Report for Chicago 2024
Part 1: Remodeling in the Chicago Area: Making Informed Decisions
Part 2: The Hottest Trends in Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
Part 3: Which Remodeling Projects Provide the Best Return on Investment in Chicago?
Part 4: The Dos and Don’ts of Remodeling
Planning to sell your home?
If you’re looking to sell your home, you’ve probably heard that making improvements can result in higher profit at sale time. But knowing exactly which home improvements are worth the money, time and effort can be challenging. Before you put your house on the market, review our Homeseller’s Toolkit, created to help you make informed decisions about how to get your home ready to sell. If your moving timeline allows, schedule or make improvements at least two months before listing to ensure you can complete all the repairs. They’ll all pay off in the end when you get a great offer on your home. Download your free toolkit here: