Why undertake comprehensive reforms and what aspects to consider

Comprehensive reforms are works that completely change the state of a building. They update it, modernize it, and provide better solutions, both architectural and in terms of furniture, plumbing, electricity, or ventilation systems. What should we keep in mind?

What are comprehensive reforms?

In these types of projects, a multidisciplinary team of professionals often participates, including masons, electricians, plumbers, painters, installers of ventilation systems, etc. Some of the factors that define them are:

• They are carried out throughout the construction.
• They often involve the renovation of plumbing, ventilation, and electrical systems.
• It can lead to a structural modification of the home or building.
• It involves the renovation of furniture.
• Their purpose is to provide the construction with greater modernity, functionality, comfort, and energy efficiency.

More specifically, according to the Technical Building Code, a reform is comprehensive when it pursues one of the following objectives:

• Structural adjustment to achieve construction safety, stability, and mechanical resistance.
• Functional adjustment, in order to provide the building with improvements related to basic requirements, promote accessibility, eliminate barriers, etc.
• General remodeling, which implies a change of the interior or exterior, or both, to create different ones.

The reasons to undertake this type of work are very diverse. There are cases where they are carried out to remodel houses and adapt them to the Passivhaus standard, which involves equipping them with bioclimatic architecture and greater energy efficiency. At other times, they are carried out to prevent negative health effects caused by construction conditions or insulation: to prevent the effects of radon, to act against geopathies (places exposed to radiation), etc.

What should be considered in a comprehensive reform?

Before starting such a project, we must consider:

• With what objective it is carried out.
• What installations need to be renewed or modified (electricity, gas, plumbing, ventilation).
• What structural changes are required.
• What materials we want to use.
• What surface area we have to remodel.
• What permits or licenses we need to request.
• What level of insulation and waterproofing the building has.
• What indoor air quality and ventilation systems it has.

Currently, one of the main reasons why many comprehensive reforms are started is energy efficiency. Savings, responsible consumption, and the desire for well-being and health in the home are the main reasons to opt for this type of work. These range from the installation of solar panels to the replacement of ventilation systems with more modern, effective, and functional ones.

How long does it usually last? Possible problems or barriers

Generally, this type of renovation tends to last several months, although it all depends on the depth of the work and the surface area of the building. Some buildings subject to rehabilitation may present structural problems or prohibitions from municipal regulations.

However, this sector in Spain is experiencing a digitalization process, so it is being equipped with useful tools that provide greater precision and speed. Thus, integrating innovation and modernization as transversal elements has proven to be a strength that accelerates project speed and increases client satisfaction.

In any case, a construction project of this type involves a significant investment of time, resources, labor, and planning, not without obstacles, although the results are well worth it. If you liked this post, you might be interested in how to reduce thermal losses and condensation in ventilation ducts.