Quick Facelift vs. Full Remodel: Which Should You Choose?

Which is cheaper? Smarter? Better? These are age-old questions. Homeowners want to do a project right the first time, and whether doing a quick facelift or a full remodel, either avenue can be costly and/or time-consuming. Obviously, a complete remodel or “full gut” is more costly, but sometimes a quick facelift will do the trick and save you money. It really depends on what there is to work with – which fixtures and appliances are already in the home – the goals and objectives of the project, and if there can be common ground found between the two.

Important Questions to Ask

There are many things that play a part in deciding whether a complete remodel is warranted. Two important considerations should be answered before you get started: how long do you plan to stay in your current home, and is return on investment important? The answers to these questions can be huge factors in the decision-making process if you’re not planning to stay in the home much longer.

On the flip side, customers that have no plans to move anytime soon sometimes won’t care as much about seeing a good return on their investment. Often, they just want to improve their home for their own happiness. Regardless, ask the tough questions first so you can plan accordingly.

Look at the specifics of a bathroom to be remodeled and ask yourself these questions:

• What is the condition of the walls?
• Is the electrical system up to code and/or powerful enough?
• Does the existing plumbing meet code and work appropriately?
• What, if anything, can be salvaged and simply upgraded?
• How do the cabinets and countertops look?
• Is new hardware needed?
• How are the lighting fixtures and flooring?

These are just a few of the questions we ask before even getting started with the planning phase, as each customer’s preferred design, wants, and needs can be very different, even on similar projects. In essence, what might work for one person may not work for the next.

How a Quick Facelift Can Quickly Become a Full Remodel

We explain to our customers that a “refresh” can often lead to a complete makeover, as putting in new countertops can make the cabinets look outdated, new cabinets will make the fixtures look old, and new fixtures often make the flooring look antiquated. You get the idea – it’s the snowball effect. Bathrooms that are 10 to 12 years old can look “dated,” depending on the original selection and design of the cabinets, hardware, lighting, etc. We don’t reface cabinet doors, as the insides of the cabinets are usually just as worn or outdated as the outside doors, fronts and sides, which is the reason you called us in the first place.

Preventing Bad Decisions

We also work with you on design selections to prevent decisions you may regret. For example, we take the time to look at your neighborhood and surrounding area. If you’re interested in selling soon but are working with a smaller budget and decide to go with a fiberglass or acrylic insert, such a decision could actually hurt your resale efforts because it will look out of place if you live in a neighborhood or area with large homes and high-quality existing bathrooms.

Contact Us Today for a Free Estimate

At Callen, we listen intently to your wants and needs and consider and review all options based on design and budget. We’ll give you an honest evaluation of your project, then complete it as proposed within the specified time frame. In addition, we’ll point out things you may not have seen or considered in order to help avoid unexpected costs or consequences down the road.

For everything from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to basement finishing, Callen has you covered. Call Callen at 414-765-2585 or complete our online form to get a free estimate on your next home remodeling project.