Should You Remodel or Move?

When your home no longer suits your lifestyle, you face a big question: Is it better to remodel… or move?

Your home might feel old, the layout may be too small for your growing family, or you may need better use of space for daily life. At ADS Building and Remodeling, we help homeowners across Illinois navigate this decision every day. The right choice depends on your budget, goals, and how attached you are to your current neighborhood.

This guide will show you the pros and cons of both options. It will give realistic cost comparisons. It will also highlight important factors like design trends, energy efficiency, and long-term value.

Remodeling: Stay and Transform

For many Illinois homeowners, remodeling is the ideal solution. Instead of uprooting your life, you can keep what you already love about your home while upgrading the parts that don’t work.

Benefits of Remodeling:

• Keep your location. No need to switch school districts, change commutes, or leave neighbors you’ve grown close to. If you’re in a desirable area like Glen Ellyn, Wilmette, or Lombard, staying put can be especially valuable.
• Customize your home. You can design your home to fit your lifestyle. This could mean a modern kitchen with more storage, a luxurious walk-in shower, or a full basement renovation.
  Remodeling lets you pick colors and patterns that fit your style. You can also upgrade lighting fixtures or add features like energy-efficient water heaters.
• Increase your home’s value. Quality renovations can provide excellent return on investment. A remodeled bathroom or kitchen makes daily life better. It also makes your home more attractive if you want to sell it later.
• Avoid moving stress. Packing, staging, house-hunting, and paying real estate commissions can be exhausting. Remodeling lets you skip those headaches while still getting the upgrades you need.
• Long-term peace of mind. Updating your home with good materials and finishes will lower the chance of expensive repairs later.

Things to Consider:

• Time and planning. Depending on the scope, projects can take weeks or months to complete. A kitchen remodel may require careful scheduling so you’re not without appliances for too long.
• Living through construction. Dust, noise, and limited access to certain rooms are realities of renovation. Temporary kitchens or bathrooms may be necessary during the process.
• Permits and building codes. In Illinois, remodeling projects must comply with local building codes. Hiring experienced contractors ensures your remodel meets safety standards and passes inspections.

Moving: A New Start

Sometimes a remodel can't meet all your needs. This is especially true if you need more space or want to move to a different school district. That’s when moving becomes appealing.

Benefits of Moving:

• A fresh start. You may find a home that already has a modern kitchen, spa-like bathroom, or open floor plan you’ve always wanted.
• Relocation opportunities. Moving lets you live closer to work, family, or in a different Illinois community that fits your lifestyle better.
• Avoid construction disruptions. Instead of months of sawdust and hammering, you move directly into a finished home.

Things to Consider with Moving:

• High costs. Expenses can add up fast. This includes closing fees, home inspections, movers, real estate commissions, utility deposits, and possible updates to the new property.
• Competitive housing market. In many Illinois cities, finding the right home at the right price can be challenging. You may face bidding wars or limited availability.
• Hidden remodeling needs. Even in a "move-in ready" home, you might still want to repaint, update light fixtures, or remodel a bathroom.
• Emotional connection. Saying goodbye to your current home — the place where you’ve built memories — can be more difficult than expected.

Cost Breakdown — Remodel vs. Move

Many homeowners assume moving is cheaper, but that’s not always the case. Let's break it down:

• Bathroom Remodels: A full bathroom remodel in Illinois usually costs between $20,000 and $35,000. The price depends on the size, finishes, and any added features like a walk-in shower or heated floors.
• Kitchen Remodels:M Kitchens range from $25,000–$60,000+. Custom cabinets, high-end countertops, and luxury appliances increase the budget, but also maximize resale value.
• Moving Costs: Moving can cost between $30,000 and $80,000. This includes real estate agent fees, closing costs, moving companies, and updates to your new home.

Unlike moving, remodeling puts money back into your own property. You're not paying transactional fees — you're investing in your home's long-term value.

When Remodeling Makes More Sense

Remodeling is often the smarter choice if:

• You love your neighborhood but your home needs updates.
• Your house has solid "bones" — strong structure, good foundation, and reliable systems.
• You want to improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and comfort without starting over somewhere new.
• You prefer to increase property value while staying in place.

For example, we recently worked with a family in Bolingbrook who loved their location but hated their outdated kitchen. They decided not to move.

Instead, they invested in a full kitchen remodel. They added new cabinets, a center island, and energy-efficient appliances. Not only did it transform daily life, but it also boosted their home’s market value.

When Moving Is the Better Choice

Moving might be the right decision if:

• Your current home is too small and adding onto it isn’t cost-effective.
• You want to live in a different school district or closer to work.
• The layout or condition of your home makes remodeling impractical.

Some historic homes in Illinois have floor plans that are hard to change for modern open-concept living. In those cases, moving may provide a better long-term solution.

Practical Questions to Ask Yourself

• Do I love my current neighborhood? If yes, remodeling usually makes more sense.
• What's my budget — both upfront and long term? Remember to compare the hidden costs of moving with the potential return on investment from remodeling.
• How much disruption can I tolerate? Living through remodeling is temporary; moving can be permanent but more expensive.
• Am I looking for customization or convenience? Remodeling lets you design the home you want; moving gives you an instant change.

FAQs: Remodel or Move in Illinois?

Q: Which adds more value — remodeling or moving?

• A: Remodeling adds value directly to your property. Moving only makes sense if you’re buying into a more valuable neighborhood.

Q: How do building codes affect remodeling in Illinois?

• A: Every city has its own requirements. ADS Building and Remodeling makes sure all projects follow the Illinois Residential Building Code. This way, you can feel confident that your remodel is safe and meets the rules.

Q: What if my home is too small?

• A: Consider an addition or finishing a basement. You can reimagine many small bathrooms or unused basements into functional living space before you decide to move.

Q: How long will remodeling take?

• A: Consider an addition or finishing a basement. You can reimagine many small bathrooms or unused basements into functional living space before you decide to move.

Let's Talk About Your Options

Still unsure? We're here to help.

At ADS Building and Remodeling, we have transformed homes in Wilmette, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Bolingbrook, Naperville, and nearby areas. We help homeowners in many ways. We can design your dream kitchen, finish your basement, or help you decide if moving is the right choice.

Schedule a free consultation. We will help you understand the numbers, design options, and long-term factors. This way, you can make the best choice for your family and future.

ADS Building and Remodeling — Your Home, Reimagined