There are many reasons why you may be thinking about renovating or demolishing your home. You may need more space; you may want to modernise your home or perhaps make your home more functional.
Whatever the reason, deciding whether you renovate your existing home or demolish it and start from scratch is a big decision. So, what’s the best option? Each of these options has merit but there are things to consider which could be the deciding factor.
What to consider when it comes to deciding to demolish or renovate
When deciding whether to demolish or renovate your home, think about the following.
The current condition of your home
The current condition of your home will help you determine if renovation is an option or if it’s best to re-build. Factors such as structural issues, rising damp, the orientation of the home etc all need to be evaluated. Sometimes, once a renovation starts, issues with the original dwelling come to light and can further impact the extent of the renovation.
Is demolition an option?
If you’re thinking about demolishing your home and re-building, you need to make sure that demolition is an option. Your home may to subject to council planning regulations. You may also need to find out if your home faces demolition restrictions such as being heritage listed which would prevent a complete knockdown.
Budget
Whether it’s cheaper to re-build or renovate will come down to how big a potential renovation might be. An extensive renovation could cost just as much as a re-build especially if a lot of structural changes are required. Renovations sometimes can result in budget blowouts especially if unexpected issues arise. With a new build, you can take advantage of discounts for bulk buying materials and depending on your builder you may be protected by a fixed price guarantee.
Alternative Accommodation
If you decide to demolish your home, you will need to find somewhere to live for the duration of the demolition and re-build. Depending on the extent of your renovation, you may be able to stay in your home while work is being done. Of course, having to live elsewhere may incur rental costs as well as moving and storage expenses.
Your dream home
A complete re-build allows you to design the home you really want. You can tailor it to suit your needs in terms of layout, design and functionality.
Ongoing maintenance
If you decide to renovate your home, you may find that down the track, the older section of your home requires more maintenance. A completely new home will be easier and cheaper to maintain in the long run.
Sustainability
A newly built home can provide more energy efficient and cost saving features which are better for the environment and your hip pocket.
There are pros and cons to each of these options but whichever option you choose, the team at Lateral Building Design is on hand to answer your questions and address all your design needs.
To discuss your options, contact the experienced team of building designers at Lateral Building Design.
