Renovation

For other uses, see Renovation (disambiguation).

"Remodeling" redirects here. For other uses, see Remodeling (disambiguation).

"Remodeled" redirects here. For the television series, see Remodeled (TV series).

Truman's renovation of the White House, 17 May 1950

Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving a broken, damaged, or outdated structure. Renovations are typically either commercial or residential. Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, or bringing something back to life and can apply in social contexts. For example, a community can be renovated if it is strengthened and revived.

Process

The renovation process can usually be broken down into several processes:

• Planning
• Engineering
• Structural repair
• Rebuilding
• Finishes

Reasons

Many people renovate homes to create a new appearance for their home, or so another person can live in the residence. Builders often renovate homes because it is a stable source of income.

Wood and renovations

Wood is versatile and flexible, making it the easiest construction material for renovations, and wood buildings can be redesigned to suit changing needs. Few homeowner or professional remodellers possess the skill and equipment that is required to alter steel-frame or concrete structures. Forest certification verifies that wood products have been sourced from well-managed forests. Most certification programs provide online search options so that consumers can find certified products—the Certification Canada program includes a search option for all of the certification programs that are in use in Canada.

In North America, most structures are demolished because of external forces such as zoning changes and rising land values. Additionally, buildings that cannot be modified to serve the functional needs of the occupants are subject to demolition. Very few buildings in the continent are demolished due to structural degradation.

The Athena Institute surveyed 227 commercial and residential buildings that were demolished in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States (U.S.) between 2000 and mid-2003. Thirty percent of the buildings were less than fifty years old, and 6% were less than twenty-five years old. The four top reasons for demolition were “Area redevelopment” (35%), “Building’s physical condition” (31%), “Not suitable for anticipated use” (22%), and “Fire damage” (7%). Lack of maintenance was cited as the specific problem for fifty-four of the seventy buildings where physical condition was given as the reason for demolition.

Process

Most builders focus on building new homes, so renovating is typically a part-time activity for such tradespeople. The processes and services required for renovations are quite specific and, once plans are signed off, building a new home is relatively predictable. Renovations usually require all of the sub-trades that are needed for the construction of a new building. During renovation projects, flexibility is often required from renovation companies to respond to unexpected issues that arise. Projects involving renovation require not just flexibility, but a plan that has previously been agreed upon by multiple parties. The planning process will involve feedback from financial investors of the project, as well as the designer. Part of planning will also entail the collection of any necessary data for the completion of the project and then the project plan will be revised and given consent before continuing with renovations.

Effects

renovated Church, now condominiums, Watertown, Massachusetts

Renovation has several impacts that are produced including, but not limited to:

• Creating jobs
• Increased spending
• Gentrification

Tax revenue generated during both the construction and residential phases

Requirements

Requirements for renovation include:

• Property or site to reconstruct
• Structural plans
• Knowledge of sewage disposal, water supply, and flood zones
• Project plan
• Funding
• Builders

See also

• Home improvement
• How Buildings Learn (book)