Teacher Discussion Forums

In Japan, we hear something like this:
"I'm going to have my house reformed."
I hear it is incorrect and that it should
be "I'm going to have my house remodeled."
Is that right?
Also, by 'remodeling', do we completely
get rid of the old house and build a new one,
or do we (partly) modify the old house, or
does that mean either?
Thank you.

I have never heard "reformed." "Remodeled" means you keep the old house, but fix up some parts. For example, my house was built in 1917, but the bathroom and kitchen were remodeled. You could also use the word, "renovated" to mean it was fixed up and modernized. If you completely get rid of the old house, you tear it down and then build another one.

Thank you very much, Lorikeet.