Remodel or Rebuild Your Home? How to Decide What’s Right for You
If your home could use some TLC and improvements, you may be wondering if it’s better to make some structural changes or demolish and build new. It’s an important decision and will impact the enjoyment of your home for years to come. There are many factors to consider, including budget, time, financing, design goals, and the condition of your current home. At HomeTech, we have helped many clients determine the best course that meets their home requirements and preferences. We’re highlighting some of the key considerations when trying to decide between a remodel and a rebuild.
Reasons to Rebuild
Fewer things are as exciting as the possibility of a brand-new home. No one else will have lived in it, all modern features and finishes, and everything is built to code. Here are some reasons why tearing down and building new makes sense.
Structural defects
A remodel can resolve some structural problems in a home, but sometimes the issues may be too severe or too many in number. Foundation cracks or settling/sinking, significant mold growth, catastrophic water damage, and pest infestation are a few examples of structural problems that could require demolition. These types of deficiencies also tend to build on themselves and create a cascading effect of issues that consume a remodeling budget. In situations of serious structural challenges, a demolition and rebuild may be the best choice for safety, health, and budget.
It’s your forever home
If you love where you live and have no plans to move for a number of years, tearing down and rebuilding will give you many happy years living in a home that perfectly complements your personality, aspirations, and lifestyle. If your current home is in decline and has lost its curb appeal, a new build could enhance the street’s character and add value to the neighborhood. It will also help resale in the event you eventually wish to sell. A ten-year-old home is much more desirable than a fifty-year-old home that had been remodeled ten years ago.
Avoiding hidden costs
There’s some uncertainty when taking on a remodel because you don’t know what’s behind the walls until you open them up. New issues and problems may be discovered requiring more of your budget to repair or bring up to code. When you invest in a demolition and new build, costs are relatively transparent—you essentially know what everything costs upfront and can budget accordingly.
Substandard code
Speaking of code requirements, older homes can be incredibly expensive to update to meet code compliance. A remodel could produce a snowball effect of consuming much of your project’s budget that could affect how much you have to spend on the fun things like flooring, tile, cabinets, and other architectural details.
Reasons to Remodel
There are a number of reasons why a remodel is a better choice. We’ve outlined some of the most common considerations.
Vintage charm
If you own an older home that retains much of its original interior work and character, preservation may be a priority. All of the home’s lovely old-world charm is probably what appealed to you in the first place! Coffered ceilings, archways, and detailed woodworking are just a few of the design elements that many homeowners wish to keep. And the good news is that it’s very possible to modernize a home to fit how your family lives today while still honoring its history and character. It’s a delicate balance to be sure, but an experienced design/build firm can provide you with guidance on which architectural and design features should stay and those that should be updated.
Strict regulations
Many cities have stringent regulations for new construction. If you own a home in a historic district or one that’s listed on a historic register, it may even be impossible to tear down and build new. In some cities, permitting for a new build takes three to four times as long as a remodeling project. In this type of situation, some homeowners opt to take the home down to the studs in a whole-house renovation that will be approved much faster than a new construction. Regulations are highly localized, so check with your city’s development office BEFORE you begin planning your project to understand the permit process for a remodel versus a new home.
Current home layout meets most needs
When you’re on the fence about whether to rebuild or remodel, take some time to reflect on what works and what doesn’t in your current floor plan. Talk with family and everyone living in the home for their thoughts. If, on the whole, everyone is generally happy with the layout and flow except for one or two specific areas, a remodel may be a better choice. You may be surprised at how a few structural changes can completely transform the character of a home. And if it’s a matter of desiring more square footage, an addition could be a great choice.
Sustainable solution
Demolition accounts for more than 90 percent of all construction and demolition waste according to current data from the Environmental Protection Agency. As people adopt a more Earth-friendly consumption mindset, there’s increased awareness about the negative environmental impact construction waste contributes and an interest to lessen the burden on landfills. The ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ principle extends to the construction industry. In this way, remodeling is a more sustainable option because it contributes less waste by retaining much of the home’s existing materials.
When considering a remodel or a demolition and new build, keep in mind every home is unique and every homeowner’s situation is different. What’s best for you might not be what’s best for your neighbor. Which is why it’s important to work with a trusted professional. They evaluates your property and provide guidance so you can make an informed decision.
Let us help you bring your dream home to life! For more information and examples of our work, visit HomeTech Construction & Design’s Houzz profile. Or view our inspiration gallery to get even more ideas for your dream space.
If you’re considering a bathroom or kitchen remodel, a new addition, or even a whole house remodel, we’d love to talk it through with you. Call 408-542-0833 to schedule your free consultation today. Or, fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch!
