Renovate Versus Rebuild – Everything You Need To Know
It’s not uncommon for someone to consider demolishing their home in favor of building a new home on the existing lot. As a professional interior designer, there are many things I look for when advising clients which way may be best for them.
Let’s take a closer look into the Renovate Versus Rebuild topic!
Homes are built based on the building codes that are enforced at the time by the municipality. When renovating a home, the existing structure is grandfathered in if codes have changed since the original build. For example, if you’re seeking to do a kitchen renovation and the staircase to the basement is too narrow to meet the current building code, the staircase does not need to be replaced during the kitchen renovation. This is a cost that does not need to be absorbed.
When building a home from scratch, everything must meet current building codes.
Demolishing A Home
When demolishing a home, costs involve the actual demolition of the existing structure, often demolition of the existing foundation, and debris removal from the job site. Public utilities are often impacted and there are costs associated with relocating them.
Fencing and erosion barriers are required as well as tree protection. These all add to the cost of the project.
Once the home is demolished, then excavation begins. One of my clients had a hidden surprise to find the city’s main sewer line ran under their new home. The city required that they pay to replace the line before building above it. If they did not demolish the existing home on the lot, then this would not have been a cost that needed to be absorbed. The replacement was tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.
The great thing about demolishing a home and starting from scratch is that everything can be optimized with fewer limitations. Structural limitations are reduced because everything will be engineered new. Demolishing and rebuilding also allow for maximum lot utilization. When renovating, it’s possible to add an addition or extension to the home, but based on setbacks and desired square footage, it may not be optimal to only extend in one direction. If the extension desired would extend on multiple sides of the existing home, then demolishing should be considered.
Demolishing or Rebuilding
When discussing demolishing vs renovating with clients, they don’t usually think of the exterior of the home. Landscaping and hardscaping are added costs to rebuilding. These are not often costs in home renovations unless those areas are immediately impacted. Another area that’s often overlooked from an expense standpoint is interim housing. When renovating there are options to stay in the home during construction or relocating during the project. When rebuilding a home, the project schedule is longer and you must relocate. If renting, the costs can really climb.
When renovating a home, there are sometimes additional costs for moving utilities or structural supports. If you’re planning to reconfigure a space and move plumbing or change load-bearing walls, then this starts to increase the cost of the project exponentially. Have you ever seen a design show on TV where they talk about moving the kitchen to another area of the home? That’s not ideal. If this is part of the thinking, and other renovations are coming to mind, then it may be worth looking at demolishing and rebuilding.
Expert Design Services
If you’re looking for thoughtful interior design within your home, we’re ready to help. You can expect thoughtful design that is custom tailored to your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are contemplating a project.
