Is It Better to Renovate or Move? A Guide for Ontario Homeowners
If you’re wondering whether it’s better to renovate your current home or move to a new one, you’re certainly not alone. Many Ontario homeowners are asking themselves the same questions as home prices, interest rates, and moving costs continue to fluctuate. While moving into a new home may seem like the obvious solution when your current home no longer meets your needs, renovating can often be the smarter investment.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we’ve helped homeowners throughout Fergus, Elora, Centre Wellington and the surrounding communities transform homes they already love into more functional spaces to meet their family’s needs. Whether it’s a kitchen renovation, a home addition, a finished basement or a new garage, the new renovation can provide the extra space and functionality you’re looking for without the stress of moving.
A recent garage extension project we finished.
What Should You Consider Before Deciding to Renovate or Move?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when deciding whether to renovate or move. Every homeowner’s situation is unique, but asking yourself a few important questions can help to guide your decision.
Consider…
Do you love your neighbourhood?
Is your current home in a convenient location?
What renovations, if any, would solve your biggest frustrations?
How much would moving actually cost?
Would a renovation increase your home’s long-term value?
For many Ontario homeowners, the answer comes down to whether their current home has the potential to meet their current or future needs with the right improvements, like a spacious home addition or extra living space in the basement.
A home addition built by BREHN Home Solutions.
How Does Today’s Ontario Housing Market Affect the Decision?
The housing market plays a significant role in deciding whether to renovate or move. While every market changes over time, buying a new home often involves expenses beyond the purchase price.
Homeowners should also consider…
Real estate commissions
Legal fees
Land transfer taxes
Moving expenses
Utility setup costs
Potential renovations in the new home
Even if you purchase a different home, you may still find yourself updating kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, or other spaces to better match your style.
Instead of starting over, many homeowners choose to invest that money into improving their current home.
For more information about Ontario’s housing market, look at the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation’s information on the current housing market, or the Government of Ontario’s homeowner resources.
When is Renovating the Better Investment?
If you already love your home’s location, renovating often makes great financial and emotional sense. Rather than leaving a neighbourhood you love, renovations allow you to improve how your home functions while increasing its value.
A recent kitchen remodel done by BREHN Home Solutions.
Some of the most popular renovations include…
Finished basements
Home additions
Exterior renovations
Fireplace feature walls
Covered porches
These improvements can enhance your daily life while also making your home attractive to future buyers. Many of these renovations provide an excellent return on investment when completed thoughtfully!
Can a Home Addition Help You Stay in the Home You Love?
One of the biggest reasons families decide to move is simply because they’ve outgrown their current home.
Instead of purchasing a larger house, a home addition may provide the extra space you need while allowing you to remain in the community you love.
Whether your family is growing, you’re working from home more often, or you simply need additional storage, additions can create meaningful improvements without the disruption of moving.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we’ve completed additions that blend seamlessly with the existing home. A great example is Project Gordon, which involved constructing a 13’ x 40’ attached garage that maximized the available side yard while maintaining the home’s curb appeal. Finished with charcoal vinyl siding and coordinated trim, the addition created valuable storage and workspace while complementing the existing exterior.
Projects like these demonstrate how thoughtful additions can solve practical problems without requiring homeowners to relocate.
Can Renovating Create the Space You Need?
Sometimes the square footage is already there… your current home just isn’t using it effectively. Finished basements, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and legal basement apartments have become increasingly popular across Ontario because they allow homeowners to maximize their existing space.
Project Tait is a great example: we transformed an unfinished basement into a legal basement apartment complete with:
A private entrance
A second bedroom
A full kitchen
An upgraded laundry room
This type of renovation provides flexible living arrangements for multigenerational families, guests or even potential rental opportunities! Similarly, Project Marr transformed a 590 square foot basement into a comfortable living area centred around a stunning matte navy fireplace, luxury vinyl flooring, and a bright three-piece bathroom.
Instead of searching for a larger home, many homeowners discover they already have the space; they simply need to unlock its potential!
What Renovations Add the Most Value?
If resale value is part of your decision, some renovations consistently perform well. Kitchen renovations remain one of the most desirable upgrades because they improve both functionality and visual appeal. With BREHN, your new kitchen renovation can feel fresh and luxurious without sacrificing affordability.
Our Project Thomas demonstrates how a thoughtful design can completely transform a space. Rich natural wood cabinetry paired with crisp upper white cabinets created a kitchen that feels warm, bright and timeless. Combined with warm-toned wood flooring, the finished space balances practicality with modern style.
Bathroom renovations also continue to provide excellent value, and can really increase the value of your home without breaking the bank.
Updated bathrooms often include:
Walk-in showers
Modern vanities
New tiles
Water-efficient fixtures
Improved lighting
Better storage
In addition to kitchens and bathrooms, homeowners frequently see strong value from:
Finished basements
Garage additions
Covered porches
New siding windows and doors
Decks and fences
These renovations not only improve the resale value, but also make your home more enjoyable everyday
What If You Don’t Need a Major Renovation?
Not every homeowner needs a large-scale renovation. Sometimes smaller projects can dramatically improve how a home feels. For example, updating an outdated fireplace can completely transform a living room.
One of our recent projects featured an impressive floor-to-ceiling black shiplap fireplace with floating shelves surrounding a 72-inch Napoleon electric fireplace. While the home’s footprint didn’t change, the entire room gained a modern focal point that the homeowners could enjoy every day.
Other small renovations could include…
Accent walls
New doors and windows
Privacy walls
Covered porches
Exterior siding
Decks
Fencing
A renovation project completed by BREHN Home Solutions.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we believe no project is too small when it helps homeowners love where they love.
What About the Emotional Side of the Decision?
Numbers are important, but they’re only part of the equation. Many homeowners have built years - or even decades- of memories in their homes.
Your children may have grown up there. You may know and love (most of) your neighbours. Perhaps you have spent years manicuring gardens, landscaping, and creating outdoor spaces that feel uniquely yours.
Moving means leaving all of those things behind, where renovating allows you to preserve those memories while adapting your home to fit your changing lifestyle. For many families throughout Fergus, Elora, Centre Wellington, and surrounding communities, that is one of the biggest reasons for choosing to renovate rather than move.
So, Is It Better to Renovate or Move?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to renovate or move depends on your goals, your budget and your home’s potential.
If your location is ideal but your home no longer fits your needs, renovations often provide an excellent opportunity to gain more space, improve functionality and increase long-term value. Whether it’s a new kitchen, an updated bathroom, a finished basement, a home addition, or even a custom garage, thoughtful renovations can help you stay in the home you already love.
At BREHN Home Solutions, we work with Fergus, Elora, Centre Wellington and surrounding communities to create renovation plans that fit their lifestyle and future goals. Whether you’re planning a major addition or a smaller interior or exterior one, we’re here to help you explore your options and make informed decisions on your home. Contact us for your home renovation projects and queries! We look forward to working with you.