Remodeling is the process of altering the functionality and design of an area. It can involve anything from tearing down a wall to expand a bathroom, to reconfiguring the kitchen layout, to building an addition to your home. Even something as simple as converting a guest room into a home office can be considered remodeling. If the purpose of the area has been modified, it has been remodeled.
So what is considered a major renovation? A major renovation is defined as a substantial addition to an existing building, or a substantial change in the interior configuration or energy system of an existing building. This type of remodel will usually cost more than a renovation project due to its complexity and the various construction, electrical, and plumbing expenses involved. If you're planning a remodel in Boston, check out our pricing guide here. If you have the skills, time, and desire to make an improvement to your home yourself, consider renovating rather than remodeling.
This is a more useful definition because, while there is a strong overlap between scope, quality, and cost, it is possible that a smaller (scope) and exclusive (quality) remodel will match or even exceed the price of a major (scope) and mid-range (quality) kitchen remodel. Long-term thinking, quality and scope also affect the frequency of kitchen remodeling; major, high-end remodeling is likely to better withstand the shocks that kitchens endure every day. When considering a complete home remodel, part of the process is deciding whether or not you should invest in your current space or build a new home with the characteristics you want. One of the first decisions you'll have to make when you're looking to renovate or remodel a kitchen is to decide whether to undergo major or minor remodeling.
If you're thinking of a remodel, you might hear about minor kitchen remodeling and major kitchen remodeling. However, these are not the only terms used to define the type of remodeling being done. Overall, minor mid-range kitchen remodels give you the highest return on investment, around 80 percent, while major luxury kitchen remodels have the lowest return on investment, usually around 60 percent. Others, such as Remodeling magazine, divide kitchen remodeling according to scope (greater or lesser) and quality of materials (mid-range vs.
high-end).
