By sunny 
Many homeowners want a refreshed look for an older home that they have lived in for a long time. If you’re considering buying a second home, then you may be faced with an important decision: should you refurbish your old home or knock it down and rebuild it for a more personalised design? Some people believe that refurbishing an old home is more affordable, while others believe that demolishing and rebuilding offers greater design freedom. So, faced with this choice, which is the more cost-effective way to go?
The trade-off between renovating and rebuilding an old home
When considering the renovation of an older home that has been inhabited for a long time, homeowners are often faced with a dilemma: should they choose to renovate their old home or demolish and rebuild it in pursuit of a more personalised design? Some argue that renovating an older home is more affordable, while others argue that demolition and rebuilding offers more design freedom. So how do we decide?
Consider value for money
When deciding whether to refurbish or rebuild an old home, budget is undoubtedly the number one concern for homeowners. One of the significant advantages of redevelopment over renovation is that it is budget friendly and manageable.
The process of refurbishing or extending an old home inevitably involves some unforeseen expenses. For example, removing and remodelling the original finishes of an old house often takes time, and the builder may not be able to accurately predict the actual costs of sub-floor and foundation remodelling, repainting, rewiring, etc. at the early stage of design.
As a result, builders usually set aside an additional cost to cover these unknown expenses when signing the contract. It’s important to note, however, that this additional cost is only an estimate by the builder and is not a complete guarantee that there will be no cost overruns during the course of the project.
In contrast, the option of demolishing the old house and rebuilding it is a much more straightforward way of managing costs. Once you have agreed with the builder to demolish the old house, you can say goodbye to the old house and concentrate on planning and designing the new one.
From a time perspective
During the process of renovating an old home, there are often unexpected ‘surprises’ that turn into painful ‘scares’. For example, it may be necessary to remodel the sewer pipes, electrical wiring, and even need to remove the old roof and knock down the walls. Not only do these projects significantly lengthen the lifecycle of a renovation project, adding time and money to the process, but they can also put the homeowner in a reactive situation that can be difficult to extricate themselves from.
Homeowners who choose to demolish and rebuild, on the other hand, can avoid such a predicament. By completely dismantling the old house and redesigning it, they can effectively minimise the ‘unknowns’ and avoid unnecessary hassle. This minimises the uncertainty of the project in terms of time management and budget control, and allows the homeowner to plan for the future with greater ease.
Analysing from the level of design difficulty and cost
Renovating or expanding an old house is not an easy task, it requires designers to carry out innovative design based on the original structure of the house, which is undoubtedly a great test of designers’ creativity and professional ability. For old houses, their complex structure will bring many design constraints to designers, thus affecting the final renovation effect.
In addition, when designers have to balance the structural constraints of the old house with the design requirements of the new house, the design cost will increase accordingly, which in turn pushes up the overall cost of the refurbishment and expansion. In contrast, the demolition and rebuild option allows designers to better utilise their creativity and break through the structural constraints of the old house, thus demonstrating significant advantages in terms of design and cost.
Demolishing an old house and rebuilding a new one on the same site gives homeowners and designers a great deal of design freedom. You can conceptualise and build your ideal brand new home as you wish, subject to ground area and relevant departmental regulations. For homeowners with limited time or who want to simplify the process, it’s also a good idea to go straight to the builder’s standard house plans, saving a significant amount of money on designer fees.
Energy and Environmental Perspectives
Renovating an old home is, to some extent, similar to changing the paint and upgrading the interior of an old car. Failure to replace the old, original engine means that you will have to continue to bear the burden of higher than average fuel consumption. When refurbishing an old home, there may be some original finishes that you are not happy with but choose to keep in order to save money. However, such a choice may have an impact on your future quality of life.
For a brand new home, homeowners are able to select more environmentally friendly building materials, sophisticated home furnishings, and energy-efficient appliances at the beginning of construction. In addition, based on past experiences, homeowners can also re-engineer the design of windows and doors to ensure that their new home enjoys sufficient sunlight and ventilation, thus reducing the frequency of air-conditioning and heating use and saving energy.
Have you been touched after reading the above? If you are planning to renovate your old home, you may want to consider the demolition and reconstruction approach, which is not only more affordable, but also brings you a more comfortable and environmentally friendly new life.
A guide to rebuilding an old home
Home remodelling is not something to be taken lightly, and you have to be careful with every drop of the hammer, as government regulations are very strict and the procedures are so cumbersome that they can cause headaches. No matter how much structural adjustment you plan to make to your house, you must, in principle, get the appropriate permits first. That’s why the architectural style of the United States has been able to remain intact, and demolition and remodelling is not an easy task.
Overview of the key steps in the demolition of an old house
Historical considerations
If your house is 70 or 80 years old, it is likely to be considered part of history. Before demolition, you’ll have to go through the Historical Commission to make sure it has no heritage value. If it’s listed for preservation, then you’ll have to wait at least a year before doing anything.
Preservation District Regulations
If your house is located in a historic preservation district, then any structural changes, even something as minor as replacing a window, will have to be approved by the Historical Commission.
Permits Required
You must have an official permit to demolish your house, and the rules may vary from region to region. It’s best to visit the building authority in person or visit the government’s webpage for the most up-to-date guidelines, as policies can change at any time.
Role of the contractor
Contractors are usually responsible for applying for these matters, but their level of competence varies and there may be barriers to communication. Homeowners are more efficient if they know the process in advance or intervene personally.
Neighbours’ right to know
Notifying neighbours in writing before demolition is a common requirement to ensure the process is transparent and fair.
Traffic Management
Police assistance may be required to maintain traffic order during demolition operations, which is usually coordinated by the contractor.
Professional Intervention
Interior demolition involving infrastructure such as water, electricity and gas must be handled by licensed plumbers and electricians. In some cases, homeowners will need to liaise with the relevant authorities to disconnect the supply themselves.
Overall, house demolition is a complex project that not only tests patience but also requires professional guidance. Therefore, choosing a contractor who is both reliable and proficient is crucial to simplifying the entire process.