When we talk about completely transforming a home, beyond a facelift or a specific improvement, we are referring to a comprehensive renovation. This type of intervention involves completely redoing the spaces, adapting them to new needs, and updating all the infrastructure. It is not just about aesthetics, but also functionality, safety, comfort, and efficiency.
A comprehensive home renovation is a process that involves work on virtually every aspect of the property, from basic installations such as electricity and plumbing to the interior layout, cladding, finishes and, in many cases, energy efficiency. It is a complex project that transforms the character of the home, with a comprehensive approach from design to execution.
A comprehensive home renovation involves a complete transformation of the property, in which spaces are redesigned, facilities are renovated, and finishes are updated to adapt to new functional, technical, and aesthetic needs.
A profound transformation, not just visual
Unlike a partial renovation, which focuses on one or more specific rooms, such as a kitchen or bathroom, a comprehensive renovation addresses the entire home. Its scope is not limited to changing what is visible, such as floors, walls, or furniture. It also affects what is not visible: electrical installations, plumbing, air conditioning systems, and the interior structure.
This type of renovation usually begins when the home is quite old, when the facilities have become obsolete, or when the owner wants a radical change in the way the space is used. It is also common in second-hand home sales, where the buyer wants to customize the property from scratch.
Redesigning the space to adapt it to the present
One of the key points in a comprehensive renovation is the possibility of redesigning the layout. Many homes, especially those built before the 1990s, have closed interior structures, long hallways, and little fluidity between areas of use. Renovation allows you to reorganize spaces, knock down non-structural walls, open kitchens to the living room, enlarge bathrooms, or redistribute bedrooms.
This redesign is not just a response to a trend. It reflects an evolution in the way we live: today, natural light, multifunctional spaces, and connectivity between rooms are prioritized. An open-plan living room and kitchen is no longer just an aesthetic choice, but a functional response to new family and social dynamics.
Facilities: the invisible heart of comfort
Renovating electrical and plumbing installations is another key aspect of any comprehensive renovation. Although they are not visible, they are essential to ensure safety and functionality. Many older homes have outdated wiring, electrical panels that do not comply with current regulations, or metal pipes that may leak, cause water loss, or become contaminated.
Updating these networks not only improves the daily use of the home, but also prevents electrical hazards, avoids breakdowns, and allows for the incorporation of current technologies, such as home automation systems, low-energy LED lighting, underfloor heating, or centralized air conditioning. A new language for materials and finishes.
Beyond infrastructure, a comprehensive renovation is also an opportunity to choose materials that reflect a new lifestyle. From continuous microcement or large-format porcelain flooring to sustainable woodwork, eco-friendly paints, and windows with high thermal insulation.
This process involves thinking about materials not only as decorative elements, but as part of a user experience: how they feel underfoot, how they are cleaned, how they age, how they reflect light. Choosing the right finishes can make the difference between a renovation that looks good for the first few years and one that maintains its quality for decades.
Air conditioning and energy efficiency
A comprehensive renovation also allows you to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Replace windows with models that have thermal breaks, reinforce insulation in walls and ceilings, install low-consumption or aerothermal boilers, take advantage of the orientation of the home to gain natural light, or reduce the need for artificial air conditioning.
These decisions not only have an impact on energy bills, but also on thermal comfort, health, and long-term sustainability. In many cases, these improvements are eligible for public subsidies or tax deductions, which reduce the total cost of the work.
How much does a complete renovation cost?
Talking about prices for comprehensive renovations is not easy, as it depends on many factors: the size of the property, the quality of the materials, the location, the technical complexity, the initial condition of the property, among others. However, as a guide, in Spain the average price can be between €700 and €1,800 per square meter, varying depending on the level of finishes and the systems that are integrated.
A comprehensive renovation of 90 m² can therefore range from €65,000 to €130,000, including labor, materials, licenses, technical fees, and comprehensive project management.
The process: beyond the budget
Carrying out a comprehensive renovation requires more than just money: it requires planning, technical support, permit management, and team coordination. It is best to hire an architecture or interior design firm to take charge of the project, take measurements, supervise the work, and ensure that each phase is carried out as planned.
In addition, a major or minor building permit is required, depending on the scope of the work, and municipal and regional regulations must be complied with. In many cases, rubble containers must also be arranged, supplies temporarily cut off, or special permits requested for access, scaffolding, or machinery.
When is a complete renovation worthwhile?
Committing to a comprehensive renovation is a decision that goes beyond the economic factor. It makes sense when:
The dwelling has significant functional or technical deficiencies.
The aim is to increase the value of the property as an investment.
The aim is to completely customize the home to suit the lifestyle.
The cumulative cost of small partial renovations is no longer worth it.
People want to live in a more efficient, comfortable, and healthy home.
In all these cases, a comprehensive renovation not only transforms the space: it transforms the way we live in it.
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Cabana Team
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