Care-Kter Quality Renovations, one of the Premier Houston Remodeling Contractors in Cypress, Texas, shares differences between renovation and remodeling, and more.
How Do Remodeling Contractors Work?
Remodeling a home begins with the homeowners doing their homework and deciding what they would like to change. Next, they find contractors who can help them with their projects. Contractors assist with providing a budget and a timeline. The remodeling contractor is the project manager. They generally work for a home remodeling company. At this point, homeowners and contractors begin to collaborate. The manager will meet with the homeowner and go over the details of the entire project to confirm each party understands what they're about to take on.
When turning your living room into a family room or other space, there might be changes or adjustments that need to occur. Not everything goes according to plan when constructing something new from scratch. It is a good idea to create the 3-D model of your remodel so we can discuss all the details. Care-Kter Quality Renovations went a step further and now offers virtual reality powered 3-D structures, as seen in the video example below. This way, clients can not only see their future remodeled spaces but walk through and feel them with the help of VR glasses.
The general rule is that once construction begins, it progresses until completion unless issues arise during construction. Therefore, inspecting a remodeled home throughout the building process is essential so both parties can be aware of any problems or potential delays. Lastly, the hired contractor presents the homeowner with a final invoice at the end of the project.
What is the Difference between Renovation and Remodeling?
Renovation refers to the act of making something, especially a house or building, clean, tidy, or in good condition again. The goal of remodeling is to improve the quality of something or change it better to suit its purpose or the owner's lifestyle. Renovation is an improvement to something's appearance through repair or rebuilding. For example, remodeling involves physical changes to a house or building. Renovation typically refers to modifications that serve an aesthetic purpose, while remodeling more frequently involves functional changes.
For example, if you renovate your kitchen, you may repaint cabinets and install new countertops and appliances. However, doing so would create a change of look or function without changing the actual structure of your kitchen. On the other hand, suppose you decide to raise the height of your counters and lower the upper cabinetry to use all available space. In that case, you're making a significant change to how your kitchen functions. Therefore, it would be considered remodeling, not a renovation.
What Qualifies as a Renovation?
Renovations are aesthetic improvements to existing structures. For this article, we will consider renovations as changes that make a system better or more valuable than it was before. Generally, renovations fall outside the definition of construction because construction adds an entirely new component without changing any original elements. The difference between a renovation and a new construction project is usually clear-cut. Renovations can be as small as painting a room or replacing the carpeting, or they can be expansive projects that would typically be called construction. Renovating does not mean redecorating something to make it look different; it means making changes to improve the property's value concerning its utility, safety, and condition.
For instance, replacing old electrical wiring with new wire would be a renovation because it could be considered an improvement from a safety perspective. Replacing carpets in a bathroom or kitchen with tile flooring would also qualify as a renovation. A redecoration does not meet the criteria of this definition, but a renovation does. Renovations should not be confused with other types of repairs or alterations that may be needed or desired. A home remodels, for instance, would not usually qualify as a renovation. The outside of a house might need painting, but painting alone does not constitute a functional improvement; it simply makes the house look better. On the other hand, replacing light fixtures inside the house would be considered a renovation project because the lighting is essential for functionality and safety.
Do You Need a General Contractor or Project Manager to Remodel a House in Houston, Texas?
Renovating a house is one of the most stressful tasks homeowners can take on. Many people wonder whether they can complete all of the tasks themselves, including finding individual Houston remodeling contractors, overseeing the renovation, working on room additions, and handling insurance policy information. It would be easier to contract out some or most of these tasks. The answer depends on where you live. Some states require that only licensed contractors can handle renovations. Still, in Texas, you can do many home remodeling projects yourself as long as you have all your licenses and permits in place before beginning your renovation project.
You can also see whether or not any Houston remodeling contractors can provide you with a free estimate for the home remodeling. The free estimate is one method for determining if you need a remodeling contractor to do your remodeling job. You may realize there are some tasks you will not complete yourself that trade contractors licensed in remodeling can do for you. Suppose you want to avoid hiring an expensive project manager for minor and medium construction projects like painting, electrical work, tiling, drywall repairs, etc. In that case, you should look into permitting requirements for this work.
However, you should still hire a general contractor if your renovation project's scope includes expanding or altering any part of the house that takes it outside the building code requirements for neighborhoods in greater Houston. The difference between home remodeling and renovation is that remodeling is generally more complicated than renovations. It often alters the house's structure, a much more complex task than painting or replacing flooring. Some examples of remodeling include: adding an addition to the home, removing walls inside the house, changing plumbing or electrical systems, changing or installing heating and cooling units, moving or installing walls between rooms, completely remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, etc. The bottom line is: If you want to complete any structural changes, it`s safer to hire a general contractor regardless of what the law requires.
Not all states require that renovations be done only by licensed contractors, but Texas is one state that does. Therefore, you should take into account whether they are licensed Texas trade contractors. If you hire an unlicensed contractor for your renovation project, construction will be delayed until the contractor has procured a license from the state once the renovations begin. Additionally, suppose you hire someone who isn't properly licensed, and one of the workers gets injured during the construction and has to be transported to a Houston medical center. In that case, you can be held liable for their injuries. All licensed contractors in greater Houston, TX, must carry insurance to prevent these situations from occurring. This includes professionals like us who provide excellent service in Cypress, Spring Branch, River Oaks, Clear Lake, and the surrounding area.
In most cases, hiring a Houston-based general contractor is a great idea. It saves you money and can alleviate stress. In addition, they can do a great job that results in high levels of customer satisfaction. However, if your project falls into the home renovation category, you don't need to worry about hiring a general contractor to help with these smaller tasks. Every area has different laws. So, before starting any renovation or remodeling projects with a Houston or Cypress home remodeling company, make sure that you are aware of all state licensing requirements for your area in particular and hire appropriately licensed professionals for your project. Call around to team members of a specific contractor and other contractors for quotes on different aspects of the project before choosing which one you want to work with as a professional team for your home remodeling project.
Do you need a permit for Construction Projects in Houston, Texas?
The Better Business Bureau is better known as BBB. This organization helps provide information about how well businesses operate by giving businesses ratings similar to a super service award. The company offers many services. However, their main goal is to ensure businesses are honest and reliable. So you might be wondering: is it necessary to get a permit to remodel your house in Houston, Texas? It is typically essential to obtain a license if renovations involve any of the following:
- the addition or installation of a central heating unit that does not connect to an existing furnace
- electrical work (including wiring and fixtures) and plumbing (including gas lines and water lines)
- mechanical work
- laying new flooring, tile, linoleum, carpet, and wood
- installing new doors, windows, or skylights
- changing or adding exterior siding
- removing or cutting walls
- converting an unfinished space such as an attic to a living area such as a bedroom.
The business bureau and business development professionals are likely to report that they ask the above question more than any other during business hours. If you want to use remodeling services for your home in the Houston area or surrounding areas, it is advisable that you get a permit even if it is not legally required. If you do not, inspectors will give a great deal of scrutiny to your home remodeling plan and might deny a building permit at the end.
The first step in using remodeling services for your house in Texas is getting a plan to submit, should you decide that permits are necessary for your project. When you have a plan ready, you need to determine if the project falls under the jurisdiction of any state boards or national organizations. If renovations fall within their purview, you should contact these agencies before proceeding with your home remodeling plan for inspection and approval. You should also find out what other documents (if required by law) you must submit along with your home remodeling plan.
In addition to those previously mentioned, some other documents might be required depending on the nature of your project. For example, a plan for new or altered electrical wiring must include a load calculation by an electrician. In addition, requirements vary from state to state due to differing building codes and regulations. Before starting construction, it is also essential to consider the building's history. The age, type of construction, and other details can affect your plans for additions or renovations to your old house in Texas. For example, an old Victorian house might require extensive structural changes if you use room additions or windows. If you need to remove load-bearing walls for alterations, it is essential to check if the dimensions are being reduced by 5% or more. This type of change will affect the structural integrity of your house and, thus, must be done safely.
All in all, it is a fantastic job to get a permit even if it is not legally required for your project since you don't know what requirements you may need to meet, such as inspections and approvals.
Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodeling project?
When you remodel a master bathroom, there are many updates you can make. However, you should always avoid doing the work without a permit in the Houston area. Do not freak out because everyone does it, and "no one gets in trouble," but permits not only ensure your safety while working on the bathroom remodel but also protect other homeowners by making sure their property value remains intact. It does not matter how many projects, whether you need to replace an old toilet or sink, or you want to redo the entire room. Do not start anything until you obtain a building permit from your local building department. Permits for remodeling projects typically cost around $200-400 and last three years after issuance.
The permit ensures you are removing the proper amount of materials from your home. You never know if additional damage will be done to your property without a license because you failed to note how much material was needed, so instead of ripping out 25% of an interior wall during your master bath renovation, only remove 10%. The leftover materials could help protect other parts of your home from water or mold damage which can increase the value of your house. The permit also ensures you are building to code and all work performed is up to national standards.
If you choose not to obtain a building permit, but the state requires it where you live for renovations in the thousands of dollars, you are breaking the law. You could be held liable for any damage done to other people's property, fined, or even imprisoned if someone gets hurt working on your home without a proper permit. Once you have completed your bathroom remodeling project, make sure anyone who sees it is aware this is a licensed project. Unfortunately, there are many cases where homeowners start bathroom remodeling without permits and then try to sell their homes. If your renovation is not up to code during an inspection required by mortgage lenders, you will have to fix the issues before continuing the sale process.
If you need help paying for a permit or hiring professionals to complete quality work on your dream home, consider borrowing from 401(k) retirement plans or cashing in savings bonds. There are many options to fund your renovations, but never start work on your house without a permit for any future projects.
Do you need a permit to remodel a kitchen?
When you are looking for a kitchen remodeling contractor, one of the first questions that come to mind is, "Do I need a building permit?" The answer is that a kitchen remodeling requires permitting if it involves making structural changes, such as moving walls or adding new drainage. However, if the only renovations are cosmetic, meaning they do not change any of the room's structure, then no permit is required for your project.
According to Bloomberg CityLab, "Permits are required by most cities when any structural work including electrical, plumbing and gas work is complete in kitchen cabinets." The site also notes that even when permits aren't necessary for kitchens, some cities require inspections; thus, verifying with your local government entities ahead of time can save you time and effort later.
For example, according to HGTV, residential projects under 100 square feet in Philadelphia do not require permits, but larger projects need to go through the permitting process.
Suppose you are planning on changing the plumbing or other structure during your kitchen remodeling. In that case, it is your responsibility to consult with the local municipality such as Cypress, TX to determine whether a permit is necessary for your remodeling project.
