Introduction
Virtual Renovation is an exciting new field within the Digital Architecture space. It’s been gaining in popularity among realtors, contractors, interior designers and new construction builders over the last several years. Virtual renovation entails improving or refinishing an existing space digitally, or virtually finishing the construction of a new space.
Section 1: Understanding Virtual Renovation
What is Virtual Renovation?
Never before has it been so easy to visualize what a renovation will look like once it’s completed. The development of virtual renovation means that it’s now possible to take a photo of an existing space, and digitally alter the fixtures (appliances, flooring, lighting, countertops, walls, cabinetry, etc.) to show what the area will look like once those changes are made in real life.
Imagine going house shopping and you fall in love with a home that has “great bones.” But, everything in it is original 1978. Can you accurately picture how it would look once everything’s updated? Maybe, but it’s tough! With virtual renovation, you could take the listing photos of the home and completely reimagine it with updates you’d like to see.
Alternatively, suppose you’re a contractor trying to sell a kitchen renovation to a couple. They’re obtaining 3-5 bids for the work. You’re pretty sure your price is competitive. Your company has great references. How else can your bid stand out from the competition? Well, what if you took “before” photos of their kitchen, and then uploaded those to a virtual renovation company along with the details of what they’d like with the renovation? When they’re complete (24-48 hours depending on the company you choose) you can submit your proposal and be fairly certain none of your competition has taken these extra steps to win the job.
How Does Virtual Renovation Work?
One of the best aspects of virtual renovation is how quick and easy it is. Here are the steps in detail:
- Take photos of the space you’d like to virtually renovate. Professional photos work best, but iPhone photos can work in a pinch.
- Choose a virtual renovation company. More on this later!
- Upload your photos to the website of the renovator you chose, and pay for the renovation.
- Receive your renovated photos, and use them!]
What Tools and Technologies are Used in Virtual Renovation?
Different companies use a variety of software and technologies for virtual renovation, each bringing its own set of features and benefits. Typically, it's some combination of Photoshop for image editing and design, SketchUp for 3D modeling and architectural visualization, and rendering tools like Corona and V-Ray to create realistic lighting and textures. These tools together allow for creating detailed and lifelike virtual renovation projects that can be easily shared with clients for feedback and approval.
Section 2: Benefits of Virtual Renovation
What are the Benefits of Virtual Renovation?
Virtual renovation has numerous benefits, which include affordability, project visualization, and quick turnaround. Additional benefits are detailed below.
Benefits for Realtor and Real Estate Agents:Every real estate agent has likely been on both the buyers and sellers side of a fixer-upper. What if instead of encouraging potential buyers to “imagine the possibilities,” you could actually show them photos of what the home could look like with certain renovations in place. Virtual renovation is extraordinarily helpful in listing photos, as well. Just be sure they are property labeled as “Virtually Renovated.”
Benefits for Homeowners: With the rising cost of goods and labor, many homeowners are acting as their own general contractors for renovation projects large and small. Homeowners can purchase virtually renovated photos to get a solid understanding of what their intended changes will look like prior to beginning the work. This helps save time and money, and also can help convey explicitly to contractors and installers what they’re looking for.
Benefits for Contractors: In addition to the benefits detailed earlier, contractors can really benefit using virtual renovation for the clarification of project details alone. The use of virtual renovation really helps to ensure that contractors and project initiators are truly on the same page, which helps prevent costly mistakes and time overruns.
Benefits for Interior Designers:
Similarly to contractors, Interior Designers can use virtual renovation as part of a presentation to clients or potential clients. Once the designer understands what the client would like to see, virtually renovated photos of the client's actual space will present a lot of value and give them a clear idea of the designer's project goals.
Section 3: Cost and Accessibility
How Much Does Virtual Renovation Cost?
The pricing aspect of virtual renovation has remained unclear for too long in the digital architecture realm. Oftentimes, companies require you to sign up, purchase a membership or jump through other unnecessary hoops just to see a price chart. Virtual renovation should not be overly expensive. If it is, it’s possible that you’re being overcharged. Depending on the level of changes required, virtual renovation should cost between $45 - $100 per photo.
Are There More Affordable Options for Virtual Renovation?
Some virtual staging providers are overcharging for a service that can seem complex, but actually is pretty standard. Make sure you shop around to find a company that offers a fair price and a good product. If the organization you’re considering using is charging more than $100 per photo, it would be worth it to do some detailed research. Here are some questions you could consider asking them:
- Why is your virtual renovation 3x the price of other virtual renovation firms?
- The images in your portfolio seem equal to the photos from other providers, can you let me know how they differ and why they might be worth the extra cost?
- Do you include revisions?
- If so, how many rounds of revisions are included (should be 1-3)
- If not, why not?
- How long have you been working in the virtual renovation space?
How Can I Access Virtual Renovation Services?
A simple Google search will generate a few dozen (at least) digital architecture firms who offer virtual renovation. As with most industries, some are easier to work with than others. Some offer virtual renovation alongside virtual staging. Combining these is really a great way to showcase your space.
Section 4: Providers and Services
Who Provides Virtual Renovation Services?
There are numerous talented, reliable virtual staging and digital architecture companies who offer virtual renovation. Some of the more popular ones are:
VirtualStaging.com
BoxBrownie.com
You can also try your luck on Fiverr or Upwork to find a reputable overseas worker. Be sure to carefully read reviews on the person you’re considering hiring.
How Do I Choose the Right Virtual Renovation Service?
Choosing the right virtual renovation service depends largely on your needs. Consider the following factors before making your selection:
- Turnaround time - is time a top concern for getting your renovated images back?
- Budget - is price a deciding factor for you? Typically choosing a provider in the middle of the pack, pricewise, is a solid decision. Usually you don’t want the cheapest, or the most expensive.
- Style - After looking through their galleries or portfolios, does most of their renovation work look good to you? Pick a company who’s finished product you like, most of the time, and you won’t have to worry about revisions or redoing the job.
- Communication - Is there a phone number to talk to someone in case things go wrong? Does the same person or team consistently respond to your emails, and in a timely manner? Communication in this industry is huge because the renovation team must understand what you’re looking for. When they understand correctly the first instance, you save money and time.
Section 5: Practical Applications
What Rooms Can Be Virtually Renovated?
Any and every room can be virtually renovated. The most popular ones are kitchens and baths (just like in real life!), followed by primary bedrooms, great rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, kid bedrooms and offices. Outdoor spaces, garages and attics can also be virtually renovated and are a great choice to showcase outdoor living, or extra space in a home. You can also virtually finish
Can Virtual Renovation Cater to Commercial Spaces?
Absolutely! Virtually renovating commercial spaces is an excellent application of the technology. Commercial spaces in particular (usually due to their size) are often hard to visualize. If a space has previously been a bakery and you’re remodeling it to house a barbershop, then virtual renovation will go a long way in creating an effective visualization of your goals.This can help partners, investors and contractors and ensure everyone is on the same page.
How is Existing Furniture Handled in Virtual Renovations?
If the space you're considering renovating is currently furnished, full of boxes or full of junk -- that’s totally ok! The items can be virtually removed. There’s usually an extra fee for this, so be sure to clarify ahead of time. It’s typically an additional $15 - $30 to virtually remove items.
Can Virtual Renovation Include Landscaping or Exteriors?
Yes! Virtually renovating a landscape or hardscape is a really good way to visualize how it will look once it’s complete. You can pick every detail, down to the types of plants and sizes you’d like them to be.
Section 6: Troubleshooting and Challenges
What Happens if I Don't Like the Virtual Design?
If a client is dissatisfied with the design or their instructions weren’t properly followed, they would be eligible for a revision. Revisions happen on about 25% of virtual renovations, so digital architecture firms are accustomed to this and very likely have systems in place to efficiently process revisions. It’s your job to accurately note each detail that you’d like revised, and send all revision requests at one time.
How Accurate Are Virtual Renovations Compared to Real Renovations?
As long as you choose a reputable virtual renovation company, the changes made to your photos will be a very accurate representation of how your real renovations will look when complete. Be sure to send very precise examples of the actual materials you’ll be using. The more detail you send, the less guesswork the design team will have to do.
Section 7: Future Trends
What Does the Future Hold for Virtual Renovation?
Virtual renovation is a burgeoning industry that’s really in its infancy. The future of virtual renovation looks promising, with advancements in technology making it more accessible and realistic. As tools like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) continue to evolve, homeowners and designers can expect even more immersive and interactive experiences. This will allow for even more precise visualization of renovations before any physical changes are made, saving time and resources. Additionally, as more people become comfortable with digital solutions, the demand for virtual renovation services is likely to grow, leading to further innovation in the field..
Conclusion
Wrapping up, virtual renovation has truly revolutionized how we approach home makeovers, bringing innovation and convenience right to our fingertips. No more endless back-and-forth with contractors or trudging through home improvement stores. With just a few clicks, you can visualize your dream space, try out different styles, and make informed decisions without the hassle. It’s like having a personal home designer in your pocket, ready to help at any moment.
This tech-savvy approach not only saves time and money but also adds a fun, creative twist to the traditional renovation process. You can experiment fearlessly, knowing there’s no real-world mess to clean up if something doesn't look right. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get inspired and explore various design trends that you might not consider otherwise.
In the end, virtual renovation is all about empowering homeowners to take charge of their space in a way that’s both efficient and enjoyable. Whether you’re planning a full-scale remodel or just want to freshen things up, this tool makes it all so much easier. So, why not dive in and start transforming your space today? Happy renovating!
