Home Renovation and Home Remodeling – What is the Difference?

When it comes to updating a home, many people don’t understand the key differences between doing home renovations or doing home remodeling. Olympia homeowners often use the terms interchangeably, but there are plenty of key differences between the two. In this article, we will attempt to clarify these two terms so that when you start seeking contractor companies to carry out your desires, you will know if you should ask for bathroom renovations or a bathroom remodeling.

Home Renovations Defined

When it comes to making improvements on your home, the word renovation basically means you are restoring your home to a “good state of repair.” This could mean taking a rather dilapidated building and getting it in a sellable state, or it could be the projects that are more subtle in a home that is in reasonably good shape.

It is safe to consider any project where an existing structure is restored or repaired, a renovation. These are meant to add value and keep the home good-looking.

Examples of projects considered to be, “home renovations”.

All of the following projects would be considered renovations:

Replacing linoleum with porcelain tiles
Repainting kitchen cabinets
Upgrading the kitchen or bathroom sinks
Painting the walls
Adding a tile border in the bathroom
Putting in a new toilet
Adding a backsplash in the kitchen
Putting up crown molding
Taking down popcorn ceilings
Adding new shelves in the pantry
Replacing old carpeting with hardwood floors
Screening in a porch or patio
Replacing old appliances for new models
Switching existing showerheads to rainfall showerheads
Putting in new kitchen countertops

As you can see, most of these projects are either cosmetic, replacing older or dated items, or upgrading existing spaces. None of these projects involve building any new structures or tearing down any existing structures because of those fall under a different category: remodeling!

Remodels Defined

This next section will explain the definition of a “home remodeling”. To remodel means the structure or form of the house is changed. These are much bigger projects and go deeper than the cosmetic or surface level. Bathroom or kitchen remodeling will transform the current layout of your home, and can even require permits if the work is big enough.

The distinction between these two words is very important because there are many companies or local handymen that can help with a renovation, but home remodeling requires more complex skills. For instance, if you are doing a bathroom remodel, Olympia companies or technicians will need to be up-to-date on the building codes and regulations required for the new designs. These become especially important if your bathroom or kitchen remodeling projects require putting in or moving plumbing and/or electrical wiring.

Examples of projects considered to be, “home remodeling”.

The following projects are considered home and kitchen remodeling jobs:

Knocking down a wall between two small bedrooms to make one large bedroom
Creating a new bathroom or doing a half bathroom remodeling into a full bathroom
Putting in a permanent and immovable kitchen island
Adding on a laundry room to the house
Adding a sunroom to your home
Digging a new basement underneath your existing house
Adding a soaking tub to the master bathroom
Wiring a screened in porch with electricity in order to install ceiling fans

Hiring Companies for Renovations vs. Remodels

When doing kitchen renovations or kitchen remodeling, Olympia area homeowners will need to ensure they hire the right construction company for the scale of the job. Your chosen crew will be entering your home, will be responsible for making huge design and construction decisions, and you will be paying them a substantial fee depending upon the scale of the work.

You will definitely want to do your fair share of research. Make sure that you find a reputable company that is qualified to do the work that you require, whether that is kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, or some renovation work. In order to make a well-informed choice, you will want to ask your potential crews a few pertinent questions.

#1 What kind of remodeling-renovation projects have you worked on in the past, and do you have any references from those projects?

Whether you need remodeling or renovations completed, the contractor should be able to supply a substantial list of jobs that have been completed, and there should be several prior customers that are willing to vouch for the company. Being able to see a few photographs of completed projects will help you get an idea of the scope and quality of the company’s work.

Pay particular attention to projects that are similar to what you need to be done. If you are looking for a kitchen remodel, it won’t do you any good to look at picture after picture of bathroom renovations. Also, it never hurts to reach out to one or two of the previous customers via a quick email to ask about their experience with the company. This may be very important if you are having major work done like a full kitchen remodeling in your Olympia home.

#2 Is your company licensed and insured?

When you ask a bathroom remodeling crew or any other type of contractor if they are licensed and insured, the answer should be a clear and concise yes. Asking this question should not seem insulting to the company, and they should offer to supply you with copies of the insurance policies or the contractor’s license.

Working with a kitchen remodeling contractor in Olympia that does not have the proper licenses and insurance policies is a great risk. Being licensed means the company has proven their skillset and their knowledge of the industry, and having the proper insurance keeps you protected should a member of the crew become injured while on your property.

#3 What is the estimate for both the cost of the project and the time the project will take to complete?

Being able to compare various quotes of time and cost from bathroom remodel companies in Olympia allows you to compare apples to apples. You may find that one bathroom or kitchen remodeling crew charges a lot less than the other companies you are considering. However, if that company also takes twice as long to do the work, then they may not be the best choice to fit within your schedule.

Try to get as much detail as you possibly can in your quotes. You will be able to make better decisions if you know exactly what amounts are being designated to materials and what the labor costs of your kitchen remodel are.

#4 Who will actually be doing the work?

In most cases, the person who comes out to your home to discuss your kitchen remodeling plans for your Olympia home will not be the same person who is overseeing the actual day to day work. The team members that do the quotes may be from an entirely different department of the company, in fact.

You will want to find out who will be in charge of leading the crew when it comes time to do the bathroom or kitchen remodel. It is also a good idea to get the contact information for this person so that you can get any questions answered or discuss any concerns.

#5 What happens if changes need to be made?

When doing renovations or bathroom remodeling, there may be snags that pop up along the way. It may happen that the construction team runs across a structural issue when trying to tear down a wall during the kitchen remodeling. Olympia homeowners need to know how those types of problems are addressed.

In addition to unforeseen issues in the home, there is also the possibility that construction materials could be out of stock. Plus, large fixtures like a new tub for a bathroom remodeling project may be unable to fit through doorways. Changes to the design may need to be made on the fly, and it is important that you understand the process beforehand.

Renovate vs. Remodel – Comparing Costs

There is not some sort of magic number for renovations and another magic number for remodels. However, there are some general budgets or cost analysis that can be studied to grasp better the financial needs of taking on home improvement projects.

In most cases, renovations will be less expensive than remodels. That is not a hard and fast rule, however, because there may be less expensive kitchen remodeling jobs Olympia homeowners may desire that cost less than high-end renovations.

Doing something relatively minor like sprucing up a kitchen with new paint and a tile backsplash could ring in under $1000. However, a major job like a complete kitchen remodeling could cost several thousands of dollars.

Here are a few sample budgets that can give you an idea of projected costs:

Minor cosmetic renovations to a kitchen: $500-$20,000
Complete kitchen remodeling: $20,000-$120,000
Complete bathroom remodeling: $4.500-$50,000
Addition of bathroom to home: $45,000-$85,000
Finishing an entire basement: $50,000-$100,000

As you can see, there is a wide range of costs that depend on a variety of options. Renovations can be simple and rather inexpensive to more complex and costly. While major kitchen remodeling, Olympia homeowner’s adding bathrooms, and finishing a basement can cost quite a substantial amount.

Kitchen Remodeling in Olympia from First Finishers LLC

If you need kitchen remodeling in Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, Lakewood, Dupont, Steilacoom, Roy, Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, or South Puget Sound, then First Finishers is the contractor you need. We have been offering excellent service, quality craftsmanship, and dependability for over ten years.

As a locally owned and operated company, First Finishers LLC prides itself on being the most reliable residential bathroom and kitchen remodeling contractor in the Olympia area. We can also provide commercial construction, insurance work, and a full range of renovations.

We have a long list of services that we can provide for our customers whether you need to repair water damage in a basement or do an entire kitchen remodel, we have the professional team that will satisfy expectations. Call us to help with home additions, countertop installation in kitchen remodeling jobs, Olympia home privacy fencing installations, or even ironwork.

If you are interested in seeing examples of the work that we can do, our online portfolio will show you prime examples of kitchen remodeling with the Olympia Perlot Residence. You can see some of our stonework with the Tenino Montgomery Residence, and you can see bathroom remodeling with the Olympia Coleman Residence. Plus, there are many, many more.

If you are ready to start discussing your kitchen remodeling project with our Olympia team, you can easily get the ball rolling by requesting a quote either via the online form or by calling our office at 360-400-7767. We are happy to discuss all of your renovation or remodeling needs, no matter how large or how small.

By Valentin "V" Fyrst|July 8th, 2019|Remodel, Renovation|Comments Off

Taylor Babcock

00:40 07 Dec 22

We had a great experience working with Kai and the First Finishers team for a bathroom remodel and dry wall repair. Kai was incredibly responsive and we appreciated his patience when having to deal with our home owners insurance contact person. We would absolutely work with First Finishers for any future remodels on our home.read more

Pat Parmer

00:23 11 Nov 22

I cannot say enough good things about this company. Kai was professional, friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and responsive and informative every step of the way in the repair of a leaking toilet upstairs that leaked through the downstairs ceiling.Four different sets of sub contractors worked on our house, and without a single exception, they were on time, did terrific work in the time frames they provided, left our home immaculately clean, and like Kai, were friendly, professional, and explained exactly what they were doing.Every person I dealt with from First Finishers was clearly committed to doing whatever was needed to provide outstanding work and customer service. I can and will recommend this company without reservation.read more

Gaby Graham

17:16 28 Jun 22

Not all heroes show up in capes and riding white horses. Some of them wear baseball hats and drive work vans. I was in dire need of saving from my late '80s monstrosity of the kitchen. It was bad. The previous owner fancied himself a handyman, so it was so much worse than being just a dated kitchen. I must have seen about five different contractors for estimates, and ultimately went with First Finishers based on their reviews and my gut feeling (which totally could have been the previous nights dinner, but that's neither here nor there). I told Kai what I wanted to do and how much I wanted to spend. Thankfully, he did not laugh in my face and came back with an estimate that was very close to my budget. He worked very closely with The Showroom (who I went to for my cabinets, floors and countertops) and kept me informed every step of the way. The whole process took about a month and the crew stayed either ahead or on schedule with every aspect of the renovation. I know kitchen remodels are supposed to be a nightmare, but with this crew, the whole experience was downright pleasant! Everyone was so cool to work with, even the subcontractors. I'm not lying when I say I actually enjoyed having them in my house and was a little sad when the project was complete. My new kitchen is absolutely gorgeous. It's literally like I am in a brand new house and I am in love with what they did. I almost hesitate to write a glowing review because I want them to be available for any upcoming projects that I might have! Who am I though, to deny anyone else a First Finisher experience? If you are looking for someone to handle your home renovations, look no further. Kai and his crew are amazing and will absolutely give you your dream house. 100% recommend.read more

Victoria Olsen

18:42 08 May 22

We cannot say enough GREAT things about our experience with Kai and his team at First Finishers. They display integrity, excellent communication and unbeatable quality work. We will be using them for all future projects. We hired him and his team for an unexpected shower rebuild in a newer home and from the first conversation he followed through with everything that was discussed. If you don’t think you can trust a general contractor you can trust this one!read more

Kari Lima

03:01 03 May 22

They did kitchen tile backsplash for us and the work was so detail-oriented and quality that we used them to redesign and remodel a custom-made shower that had 30-year-old tile job and was growing mushrooms. We will no longer use any other contractor/company. Got the recommendation from a really detail-oriented hardwood floor guy who said he was happy with work they did for his home so figured they were worth checking out.Our whole experience was phenomenal, starting from their itemized and transparent quote with realistic expectations for timeline and when they would be able to begin the project. We received in advance a detailed schedule of activities with exact dates or range of dates for each item. Most importantly we were shocked to find out they were actually able to hold to that schedule! And this, despite finding unanticipated problems with our bathroom including rot in the frame and inner aspect of exterior wall, which requiring rebuilding/framing and roofing/siding replacement (surprise for them and us!) Somehow they were able to get supplies and get people out to repair all of that within hours/days and STILL keep to the schedule they had provided. With the kitchen tile there was one single issue with some additional tile needing to be ordered which caused a slight delay but they were so kind and professional about it and the delay was pretty minimal - no big deal at all. With this current project they were so ethical and reasonable about minimizing additional cost as much as they reasonably could for the unexpected work, which was also a welcome surprise.Really quality work from this company with employees and sub-contractors you can really count on. A breath of fresh air after some of the prior experiences we had.read more

Lolo D

21:45 28 Jun 19

Where to begin.......First Finishers has exceeded my expectations in every aspect and I will absolutely recommend them to anyone building or remodeling. I still can’t believe what an awesome experience we have had with them. All I have ever heard about general contractors are horror stories so I was nervous but FF quickly set our minds at ease and delivered on every promise. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for us. If we could give more than 5 stars, we absolutely would!read more

Caleb Bulloch

16:38 28 Jun 19

First Finishers has been a reliable and responsive company to work with. They are always focused on the customer from start to finish with a great detail orientated team. I’ve worked with many contractors and this company sets themselves apart.read more

James Rolland

06:29 21 Jun 19

After a smolder in my attic last may that resulted in having to remove all the ceilings, insulation, wiring, etc in my house, I was put in contact with Tim of First Finishers. He came out, assessed the situation and assembled his team. Tim was very patient with my pestering and asking a plethora of questions. What small things that needed corrected after each stage were efficiently handled. I will definitely use First Finishers again, but I'm hoping it will be under less distressing circumstances.read more

Ellen Hamlin

19:24 15 Jan 19

Highly recommend. First Finishers help me rehab a kitchen fire.They have a great team of sub-contractors. Kai , the owner, will stand behind their work. If you have an issue and call them, they will return your call right away. It's a good feeling to know that they care.They are professional, courteous and easy to work with. I would hire them again.read more

Bettie Cochran

19:21 08 Nov 18

We highly recommend First Finishers. They set the bar high as a company. If I could, I would give them more than 5 stars. We worked with First Finishers on a shower remodel and the replacement of floor tile in 2 bathrooms. If you want a team that are professional, care about providing a quality product and meet budget and project timelines, then First Finishers is the team for you. Kai is an excellent project manager. He is responsive and a great communicator. He is committed to keeping to your timeline and budget. His team of providers are knowledgeable, quality focused and very personable. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and felt like they were friends by the time the project was completed. If you choose First Finishers, you will have chosen a quality team for your project.read more

Peggi Reese

12:51 10 Sep 18

First Finishers LLC of Yelm are AWESOME! We had our 20 year old oak floors refinished and we love them, even better than when we had them installed. The two workers were considerate of my husband's health needs, put up with our 3 barking chihuahuas and kept us informed of their progress. Kai, one of the bosses, was very fair in pricing and kept us informed of the process. Thank you gentleman for your professionalism, your workmanship and your kindness. The only problem now is we don't want to leave our home, you made it so beautiful. We would highly recommend this company to any one.read more

Jean Horton

22:41 26 May 18

First Finishers just completed a five week job at my house that included a complete master bathroom remodel, significant kitchen upgrade work, and new floors throughout the home (on both floors and stairs). Also, lots of fussy tile work, some electrical odd and ends...a hodge podge of different things. This meant plumbers, painters, cabinet guys, electricians, etc...all kinds of people coming out to my house. First off, this place looks gorgeous. They did a really good, quality job on all the work. They know what they're doing. Their guys are polite, professional, would stay late to get things done and did their best to leave my house as tidy as possible before leaving for the night. I initially felt a little odd having so many strange people in my house for so many weeks without being here all day to keep an eye on things, but quickly got over that - everyone was so pleasant and professional to work with. We got other bids, and couldn't beat First Finishers for the price compared to the other two we spoke with. Given the extent and multiple types of work to be done, we were very pleasantly surprised to come in a few hundred dollars shy of the bid. There were some hiccups - frustrating, but given all the little odds and ends that needed to be done that is to be expected. I give two big thumbs up to Kai and his crew for rectifying each and every little thing that came up, usually within the same day or the very next day. Can't ask for much more than that. I saw another review on here about not painting trim nicely - I will say that my trim was very well touched up and those painting guys were as methodical as anyone could want. They were very intent on making sure every line and coating was perfect, and spent a ton of time to make that happen. I would hire them again without a second thought.read more

Cindy Rimbey

22:19 27 Oct 17

I have worked with First Finishers several times over the years. I have always had a great experience with Tim the owner. It is refreshing in this day and age to have a company that cares about their customers. Integrity is a lost quality these days. First Finishers has integrity.read more

Dana Montgomery

17:04 12 Oct 17

Our experience with First Finishers and an associate, Roofing Pros has been the best imaginable. Sure there are the unexpected challenges along the way, but these are to be expected in a remodel and all were met and resolved to our satisfaction.The 4 projects have been: 1) Roofing and resolving original design problems, 2) Replace the front sidewalk and porch steps and kitchen counters and back splash, 3) Remove and replace back deck with fancy concrete patios and covered deck and 4) Remove and replace shower and upstairs flooring.Each project has produced results that are eye catching. We, with First Finishers help, have made our home a much more enjoyable place to live.Thanks to Kai and the First Finishers workers along with John from the Show Room for their artistic eye and focus on detail.Bruce and Danaread more

Home Renovation and Home Remodeling – What is the Difference?