What is the difference between renovation and remodeling?

Renovation restores and upgrades what is already there; remodelling changes the structure or layout of the building. Rewiring a Victorian terrace, replastering, fitting a new kitchen in the same footprint, replacing a bathroom where it stands: all renovation. Knocking the kitchen and dining room through into one space, moving the bathroom upstairs, taking out a chimney breast: remodelling. One spelling point. 'Remodeling' with a single l is the American form. In the UK it is remodelling with two, though in practice Brits rarely say either. We say renovation, refurbishment, or just 'knocking through'.

The split matters for approvals. Straight renovation almost never needs planning permission because you are not changing the building's form. Internal remodelling usually avoids planning too, but it does bring in Building Regulations: a structural engineer to size the steel beam, building control to inspect the work, and in a terrace or semi usually a party wall agreement with the neighbours before you open up a shared wall. We sort that paperwork on most of our Dulwich and Sydenham jobs, and it adds weeks if nobody starts it early.

It changes the cost and the team as well. Renovation is mostly trades: plumber, electrician, plasterer, decorator. Remodelling adds engineer's calculations, steels, temporary supports and inspection fees, so the same room costs more. Bathrooms show it clearly. A refresh in the existing layout starts from £4,500 and a full refit from £7,000, but move the bathroom across the landing or convert it to a wet room (from £8,500) and you are into remodelling. Either way we survey the property first and give a fixed written quote. The price we quote is the price you pay.