Reform or rehabilitation
The difference between reform and rehabilitation is quite complicated to establish. Discussing this topic with other technicians, I have come to have (constructive) discussions and we have been analyzing the issue in depth without reaching clear conclusions. Not even commenting on the subject in my professional association have I been able to make a precise distinction between the two concepts.
On many occasions I have heard the expression “I am going to rehabilitate a house that I have bought” but I have also heard “I am going to reform a house that I have bought”. In the end, the concepts are very similar and are used interchangeably to explain the same thing.
To try to clarify the subject, I turn to the law of building management (LOE) and in it we find in its article 2 (sections a, b, c) the concept of building (that is, the subject to which the law is applicable), but it is observed that the concept of rehabilitation or reform is not at all clear. The term “intervention” is used.
Technical code in force in Spain
In the Technical Building Code (CTE) in force since 2006, in its part I art. 2 establishes the scope of application and paragraph 3 refers to these concepts:
“Likewise, the CTE will apply to the works of extension, modification, reform or rehabilitation that are carried out in existing buildings …”
Paragraphs 4 and 5 define:
4. For these purposes, rehabilitation works shall be understood as those whose purpose is actions aimed at achieving any of the following results:
The structural adequacy, …
The functional adequacy, …
The remodeling of a building with dwellings that aims to modify the surface intended for housing or modify the number of these, …
5. It will be understood that a work is of integral rehabilitation when it has as its object actions tending to all the purposes described in this section.
According to these premises, it is clear that it is a work of rehabilitation and a work of integral rehabilitation, but it remains unclear what the concept of reform is.
What does the concept of reform include?
Continuing with my search for the concept of reform to try to clarify the differences, I finally find this definition on the website of the Ministry of Development in its Methodological Note for Building Construction (Municipal Building Licenses).