Full Home Renovation vs Room By Room - Which is Better?

Key Takeaways 

• Full home renovations offer a comprehensive update and design consistency but have higher upfront costs and more significant disruption.
• Room-by-room renovations provide flexibility and manageable budgets but may lead to extended timelines and potential design inconsistencies.

When considering a home renovation, homeowners often face a crucial decision: which should they opt for—a full home renovation or a room-by-room renovation? This choice is particularly important as 59% of Canadians always consider the ROI of a renovation on their home's market value.
Both approaches have benefits and drawbacks, so choosing the right method depends on various factors such as budget, timeline, and personal preferences.

Full Home Renovation

A full home renovation involves updating the entire house in one comprehensive project. This approach typically covers all rooms, including the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas, and often involves significant structural changes.

Advantages:

• Comprehensive update: Every part of the home is renovated, ensuring all areas are up-to-date. Renovating the entire house ensures that every room is modernized, including the kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces. This can significantly increase the home's overall value and appeal.
  
  
• Uniform design and style throughout the home: Consistency in design is easier to achieve. You can ensure a consistent design theme by renovating all rooms simultaneously, such as a modern aesthetic with matching flooring, fixtures, and colour schemes throughout the house.
  
  
• Potential cost savings from bulk labour and materials: Economies of scale can reduce overall costs. Bulk purchasing of materials and hiring a contractor for a single project can reduce costs. For instance, buying tiles and fixtures in large quantities often comes with discounts.

Disadvantages:

• Higher upfront cost: The initial investment is substantial. A full home renovation may initially require a significant financial outlay, such as $100,000 or more, which can be challenging for many homeowners to manage.
  
  
• Significant disruption to daily life: Homeowners may need to find temporary accommodation. Homeowners can choose when to start and complete each renovation phase, making scheduling projects around holidays, work commitments, or other personal plans easier.
  
  
• Longer overall timeline for project completion: The entire process can take several months. Due to the scope of work, a full home renovation might take six months to a year, causing prolonged disruption to the homeowner's routine.

How much does Full Renovation cost in British Columbia?

The exact cost of a whole house remodel depends on several factors:

• Property Size
• Kind of renovation: whether you are going with the same floor plan or getting a complete gut renovation.
• Age of the house

Here’s a quick overview of the average cost of a home renovation in Lower Mainland, British Columbia:

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Note: These costs are approximate values, which also depend on the renovation contractor you hire in Lower Mainland, British Columbia. 

How Long Does Full Renovation Take?

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, typical time frames for a complete home renovation can range from several months to a year. 

Full Home Renovation Checklist

• Budget planning and allocation: Determine the overall budget and allocate funds accordingly.
• Timeline and scheduling considerations: Create a realistic timeline for project completion.
• Permits: A full house remodel is a larger renovation project for which you may need to obtain a permit, so include that in your budget. 
• Key renovation areas: Prioritize essential areas such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and structural improvements.

Room-by-Room Renovation

A room-by-room renovation approach involves renovating one room at a time. This method allows homeowners to focus on individual spaces, completing one project before moving on to the next.

Advantages:

• More manageable budget per project: Costs are spread out over time. Tackling one room at a time allows homeowners to budget for each project individually, such as spending $10,000 on a bathroom remodel this year and planning a kitchen upgrade next year.
  
  
• Flexibility in scheduling renovations: Homeowners can plan renovations according to their convenience. Homeowners can choose when to start and complete each renovation phase, making scheduling projects around holidays, work commitments, or other personal plans easier.
  
  
• Allows occupants to stay in the home during renovations: Minimizes disruption to daily life. Since only one room is being renovated at a time, the rest of the home remains livable. For instance, renovating the guest bathroom while continuing to use the master bathroom reduces inconvenience.

Disadvantages:

• Potential for design inconsistencies: Different rooms may have varying styles if renovations are done over a long period, leading to a lack of cohesive design throughout the house.
  
  
• Possibly higher costs due to repeated mobilization and setup: Multiple setups can increase expenses. Repeatedly mobilizing contractors and setting up for each new project can lead to higher cumulative costs. Each room’s renovation might include repeated labour and setup costs that could be avoided in a large project.

How much do Room-by-Room renovations cost?

Room-by-room renovations allow for budget adjustment over time. Consider cost-saving strategies like choosing mid-range materials or DIY elements where feasible.

How long do Room-by-Room renovations take?

Room-by-room renovations can extend over several years, depending on how quickly each room is completed.

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Factors to Consider

1. Budget:

Compare the total costs of both approaches. A complete home renovation might offer savings from bulk purchases, while room-by-room renovations can spread out expenses, making it easier to manage cash flow.

2. Timeline:

Home renovations generally have a longer upfront timeline but can be completed in one go. Room-by-room renovations offer flexibility but extend the overall project timeline.

3. Living Arrangements:

Consider the impact on daily life. Full house remodel might require temporary relocation, whereas room-by-room renovations allow you to stay in your home.

4. Design Consistency: 

Maintaining a cohesive aesthetic is easier with a complete home renovation. Room-by-room renovations risk creating design inconsistencies.

Should I go for house renovations all at once or room-by-room?

Complete home renovations and room-by-room renovations have benefits and drawbacks. The right choice depends on individual needs, budget constraints, and lifestyle preferences. For those considering a home renovation, it is advisable to consult with a professional team at Markley Construction to explore the best approach for their specific needs. Contact us today for a free consultation and detailed renovation quote tailored to your project.