To Renovate or Restore? That is the Question!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015•Scott Windell

Un projet de restauration consiste à remettre une propriété dans son état d'origine, en reflétant fidèlement son contexte historique et son intégrité. Les restaurations sont courantes dans les bâtiments historiques, mais elles peuvent également être appliquées dans tout projet d'amélioration majeure. Réparer les trous dans les murs, réparer et remplacer d’anciens accessoires par des répliques des originaux, et retirer de vieux tapis pour exposer les planchers de bois d’origine sont autant d’exemples de ce qui constitue un projet de restauration. Ce processus peut également entraîner des améliorations de la conformité aux codes. Un excellent projet de restauration est celui qui passe inaperçu – tous les nouveaux ajouts et éléments de design doivent s’intégrer parfaitement au contexte existant.

The difference between renovation and restoration

Notice the difference between the terms renovation and restoration. If you restore a 1950s house, you use those period materials and effects. Restoration refers to “putting back original elements.” Most contractors use these terms interchangeably, but there’s a big difference between them. There’s also a big difference in the cost, added home value, and impact on the environment. Renovation, however, is “the act of renewing.” In simple terms, it’s making a room or entire building look better by fixing what’s already there. The condition of the property along with other factors will determine whether renovation is more or less costly than restoration.

Restoration generally uses fewer new resources

From an environmental and life-cycle perspective, restoration generally uses fewer new resources and may require less energy to complete. Depending on the condition of the property, restoration is typically more cost-effective than renovation. Success for your clients is rooted in understanding their budget, vision, and expectations. Some want a pristine, new home with an open floor plan, energy-efficient windows, and the latest appliances. Others find charm in the creaking floorboards and weathered shingles of older homes and are okay with forgoing some of the features you only see in newer homes.

There are four factors involved

However, many clients fall somewhere in between; they want a home with a great style and location, but plan to make changes — sometimes major ones — so the property will better fit their functional and aesthetic preferences. To understand the client’s needs we have to rely on four key factors. The condition of the property, the location (if located in a historic district, certain changes can’t be made), budget, and time frame (it takes a longer time to locate authentic materials and products). Again, a successful project is a result of truly understanding the client’s goals.