What Is Home Renovation? A Complete Guide for Homeowners in Phnom Penh
Updated: Sep 9
Home renovation is the process of upgrading, improving, or redesigning an existing house or interior space to better match the owner’s lifestyle, functional needs, and aesthetic preferences. In Phnom Penh, home renovation has become increasingly popular as homeowners seek to modernize older properties and enhance long-term property value.
Renovation may involve both interior and exterior architectural improvements to increase comfort, efficiency, and overall usability of the space.
Homeowners typically consider renovation when:
The house becomes outdated or damaged
The layout no longer supports daily living
Additional rooms are needed (such as adding a bedroom)
Windows, doors, or structural elements require upgrading
Interior finishes and decoration need refreshing
What Does the Renovation Process Include?
A successful home renovation project usually involves:
Initial planning and space assessment
Budget preparation and cost estimation
Material selection
Contractor coordination
Construction and installation work
Final inspection and quality control
Renovation can range from small-scale upgrades — such as remodeling a kitchen or bedroom — to full-scale interior redesign or house extensions. When properly planned and professionally executed, a renovation significantly improves living quality while increasing long-term property value.
Types of Home Renovation
1. Interior Renovation
Interior renovation focuses on improving the inside of the home for better comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics. This may include:
· Upgrading electrical and plumbing systems
· Changing interior layout (adding rooms, removing walls)
· Repainting and redesigning interior style
· Installing new kitchen/bathroom fixtures
· Updating flooring (tiles, wood, laminate)
· Adding smart home technology
Interior renovation makes the space more functional, modern, and enjoyable to live in.
2. Exterior Renovation
Exterior renovation improves the outside of the home, such as walls, roof, garden, façade, or driveway. Goals include beauty, safety, energy efficiency, and structural integrity.
Examples include:
· Strengthening or modifying structural components
· Improving the front yard or outdoor living space
· Repairing or replacing the roof
· Repainting or redesigning exterior finishes
· Enhancing architectural style
· Renovating backyard or patio areas
· Adding security systems (CCTV, alarm, auto-gate)
Exterior renovation increases curb appeal and protects the home from weather and long-term damage.
Looking for a professional renovation contractor in Phnom Penh?Explore our main renovation service page to learn more about our process and completed projects.
🇰🇭 KHMER VERSION — អ្វីទៅជា Renovate ផ្ទះ?
ការជួសជុល/បម្លែងផ្ទះគឺអ្វី?
ការធ្វើ Renovate ផ្ទះ គឺជាការកែប្រែ ឬបន្ថែមលើផ្ទះចាស់ ដើម្បីឲ្យសមនឹងតម្រូវការ និងរចនាបថថ្មីរបស់ម្ចាស់ផ្ទះ។អាចជាការកែសំរួលផ្នែកខាងក្នុង–ខាងក្រៅ ដើម្បីបង្កើនភាពងាយស្រួល និងតម្លៃអចលនទ្រព្យ។
មនុស្សភាគច្រើនធ្វើ Renovate ពេល៖– ផ្ទះចាស់ ឬខូចខាត– ចង់បន្ថែមបន្ទប់– ប្តូររាងប្លង់– ប្ដូរទ្វារ/បង្អួច– បន្ថែមការតុបតែងថ្មីៗ
ការជួសជុលផ្ទះមានជំហាន៖ ការរៀបចំផែនការ កំណត់ថវិកា ជ្រើសសម្ភារៈ ជួលក្រុមសំណង់ និងត្រួតពិនិត្យគុណភាពអនុវត្ត។
ប្រភេទនៃការជួសជុលផ្ទះ
1. ជួសជុលផ្នែកខាងក្នុង (Interior Renovation)
គោលបំណង៖ បង្កើនភាពងាយស្រួល សោភ័ណភាព និងប្រសិទ្ធភាព។
– កែលំអប្រព័ន្ធភ្លើង/ទឹក– ប្តូររាងប្លង់បន្ទប់– លាបពណ៌ថ្មី– ប្ដូរឧបករណ៍ផ្ទះបាយ/បង្គន់– កែបំរើផ្ទៃដី– បន្ថែម Smart Home
2. ជួសជុលផ្នែកខាងក្រៅ (Exterior Renovation)
– ពិនិត្យ និងកែលម្អរចនាសម្ព័ន្ធ– កែលំអផ្ទៃមុខផ្ទះ/សួន– ជួសជុលដំបូល– លាបពណ៌ខាងក្រៅ– បន្ថែមឧបករណ៍សុវត្ថិភាព– បង្កើនបរិយាកាសខាងក្រៅ
When Should You Consider Renovating Your Home?
Home renovation is not always about making an old house look newer. In many cases, renovation becomes necessary because the existing home no longer matches the way the family lives.
You may want to consider renovating when:
The existing layout feels inefficient
The kitchen or bathroom is outdated
Storage space is insufficient
Electrical or plumbing systems need upgrading
The house needs additional bedrooms or functional areas
Interior finishes are worn or damaged
The home feels too dark, hot, or poorly ventilated
The family's lifestyle has changed
You want to improve the property's long-term value
A renovation can therefore range from a simple cosmetic update to a complete transformation of the property.
Home Renovation vs. Home Remodeling: What Is the Difference?
The terms renovation and remodeling are often used interchangeably, but they can describe different levels of work.
Renovation generally means improving or updating an existing space while retaining much of the original structure.
Examples include:
Repainting walls
Replacing flooring
Updating kitchens and bathrooms
Replacing doors and windows
Installing built-in furniture
Upgrading lighting
Improving finishes
Remodeling can involve more substantial changes to the layout or structure of a home.
Examples include:
Removing or relocating walls
Changing room layouts
Adding new rooms
Extending the building
Reconfiguring major areas of the house
The difference is important because larger structural changes usually require more planning, technical assessment, and potentially additional approvals.
What Areas of a Home Can Be Renovated?
A renovation project does not have to involve the entire house.
Homeowners can renovate individual areas depending on their priorities and budget.
Living Room Renovation
Living room renovation may include a new TV wall, built-in storage, flooring, lighting, ceiling design, feature walls, and furniture planning.
Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen renovation can improve both appearance and functionality through new cabinets, countertops, appliances, lighting, plumbing, and better space planning.
Bedroom Renovation
Bedroom renovation often focuses on wardrobes, lighting, feature walls, flooring, storage, and creating a more comfortable environment.
Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom renovation may involve new tiles, sanitary fixtures, showers, bathtubs, vanity units, plumbing, waterproofing, and lighting.
Exterior Renovation
Exterior work can include façades, roofing, gates, gardens, terraces, outdoor areas, and improvements to weather protection.
The right renovation scope depends on the condition of the property and the homeowner's priorities.
How Much Does Home Renovation Cost in Phnom Penh?
There is no single price for home renovation because the total cost depends on the size, condition, design, materials, and construction scope.
Major factors include:
Property size
Existing structural condition
Amount of demolition
Electrical and plumbing work
Flooring and wall finishes
Kitchen and bathroom upgrades
Built-in furniture
Lighting
Doors and windows
Exterior work
Material quality
Design and construction requirements
A cosmetic renovation may require a relatively modest investment, while a full house renovation involving structural work, new systems, custom furniture, and premium materials can require a substantially larger budget.
For this reason, homeowners should avoid relying on a single price-per-square-meter figure without first understanding what is actually included.
A more useful approach is to define the renovation scope first and then develop a budget based on the actual property and specifications.
Why a Site Inspection Is Important Before Renovation
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is estimating a renovation project based only on photographs or floor plans.
An existing house may contain problems that are not immediately visible.
For example:
Hidden water leaks
Damaged electrical wiring
Uneven floors
Structural cracks
Moisture problems
Poor drainage
Old plumbing
Inadequate electrical capacity
A site inspection allows the design and construction team to understand the actual condition of the property before finalizing the renovation plan.
This can reduce unexpected changes during construction and help create a more realistic budget.
The Home Renovation Process
A typical home renovation project can be divided into several stages.
1. Initial Consultation
The homeowner explains the goals, lifestyle requirements, preferred style, and approximate budget.
2. Site Survey and Measurement
The existing property is inspected and measured. Existing conditions, structural elements, electrical points, plumbing, windows, doors, and other important details are documented.
3. Space Planning and Design
The layout is developed based on how the homeowner wants to use the space.
Furniture, storage, lighting, materials, and interior style are then developed around the approved layout.
4. Design Development and Material Selection
The design becomes more detailed, including finishes, built-in furniture, lighting, hardware, and construction specifications.
5. Cost Estimation
The renovation scope and selected materials are used to develop a more accurate construction estimate.
6. Construction
Demolition, structural work, electrical and plumbing upgrades, finishes, built-in furniture, lighting, and installation are carried out according to the approved plan.
7. Inspection and Handover
The completed work is inspected, defects are identified and corrected, and the finished property is handed over to the homeowner.
Renovating a Borey Home in Phnom Penh
Borey homes are different from older standalone houses because the property is usually part of a larger residential development.
A Borey renovation may involve:
Living room redesign
Built-in TV walls
Kitchen upgrades
Bedroom wardrobes
Lighting improvements
Flooring
Interior painting
Additional storage
Outdoor improvements
However, homeowners should check the development's renovation rules before making significant changes.
Some projects may have restrictions relating to façades, structural modifications, exterior colors, extensions, common areas, or construction activities.
For this reason, Borey interior design and renovation should consider both the homeowner's goals and the existing property requirements.
Renovating a Condominium in Phnom Penh
Condo renovation has a different set of considerations.
The design must work within the existing unit while also respecting building management requirements.
Important factors may include:
Renovation hours
Elevator access
Noise restrictions
Waste disposal
Structural walls
Plumbing locations
Electrical capacity
Air-conditioning systems
Waterproofing
Building approval requirements
Because condominiums have shared structures and building systems, homeowners should understand these conditions before starting construction.
Should You Renovate or Buy a New Home?
For some homeowners, renovation can be a better alternative to moving.
An existing property may already have:
A good location
A suitable plot
A familiar neighborhood
A strong structure
A layout that can be improved
If the underlying property has good potential, renovation can transform the home without requiring the homeowner to move.
However, renovation is not always the right answer.
If the structural condition is severely compromised, the existing layout cannot reasonably support the desired lifestyle, or renovation costs approach the cost of a new property, rebuilding or moving may make more financial sense.
The decision should therefore be based on the property's actual condition and the total investment required.
How to Prepare Before Starting a Home Renovation
Before construction begins, homeowners should prepare several things.
Define Your Priorities
Decide which problems need to be solved first.
For example:
Structural safety
Electrical and plumbing systems
Space planning
Kitchen and bathroom functionality
Storage
Interior finishes
Decorative elements
This helps prevent the budget from being spent heavily on cosmetic items while important technical problems remain unresolved.
Establish a Realistic Budget
Set an initial budget, but keep some flexibility for unexpected conditions.
Older homes in particular may reveal hidden problems once walls, ceilings, floors, or existing systems are opened.
Collect Design References
Reference images can help communicate your preferred style, materials, colors, and furniture ideas.
However, reference images should be treated as inspiration rather than exact construction instructions. The final design must be adapted to the actual dimensions and conditions of the property.
Common Home Renovation Mistakes
Starting Construction Without a Clear Design
Making design decisions during construction often causes delays, additional costs, and inconsistent results.
Choosing Materials Based Only on Appearance
Materials should also be evaluated for durability, maintenance, climate suitability, and actual usage.
Underestimating Electrical and Plumbing Work
Hidden systems are often among the most important parts of a renovation.
Changing the Scope During Construction
Frequent changes can increase costs and extend the construction timeline.
Focusing Only on Interior Appearance
A beautiful interior cannot compensate for poor waterproofing, electrical problems, plumbing defects, or structural issues.
Choosing the Lowest Quotation Automatically
A low initial price may not represent the lowest final cost if important items are excluded from the scope.
Is Interior Design Necessary for a Home Renovation?
Not every renovation requires a professional interior designer.
Simple work such as repainting, replacing furniture, or changing decorative elements can often be managed independently.
Professional interior design becomes more valuable when several elements need to work together, such as:
Layout changes
Built-in furniture
Lighting design
Material selection
Kitchen or bathroom renovation
Electrical planning
Storage planning
Full-home renovation
The designer's role is not simply to make the home look attractive. It is to coordinate the different elements so that the final space is functional, visually consistent, and realistic to build.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation is more than repairing an old house or changing its appearance.
A successful renovation should improve the way a home works, feels, and supports everyday life.
The best projects begin with a clear understanding of the existing property, realistic budgeting, thoughtful space planning, suitable materials, and careful construction coordination.
For homeowners in Phnom Penh, this is particularly important because every property has different conditions — from older houses and villas to Borey homes and condominiums.
At SALA DECOR, we approach renovation as a combination of design, planning, and practical construction. The objective is to create a home that is not only visually refined, but also functional, comfortable, and realistic to build.
If you are considering renovating a home in Phnom Penh, starting with a clear understanding of the existing space and your renovation goals is the first step toward making better decisions.
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