What’s in a name? Complexities in the definition of “refurbishment”

The lifecycle of a building is supported by a number of distinct processes that attempt to address physical deterioration. Many of the processes – maintenance, repair, replacement and refurbishment – are commonly discussed in ways that suggest that they are indistinguishable from each other. The comparative lack of precision in using a range of terms further blurs the boundaries between the tasks. “Refurbishment” may seem to be a simple term, yet its complexity has led to continuing confusion by policy‐makers and professionals. Many of the attempts to provide an inclusive and concise definition of “refurbishment” have significant flaws, compounding the problem in practice.