Is renovation cheaper than building?


John was sick of his old, run-down house. The ceilings were leaky, the walls were stained and the floors creaked with every step. He knew it was time for a change.


He had heard that renovating a home can be cheaper than building a new one, so he decided to do some research. He soon found out that this wasn't always the case - it depended on a number of factors, such as the size of the property and the extent of the renovation work required.


John also discovered that there were many benefits to building a new home, such as increased energy efficiency and customizability. However, he knew that tearing down his old house and rebuilding from scratch would be a huge undertaking - and it would come with a hefty price tag.


In the end, John decided to renovate his old home instead of building a new one. It would be less expensive and less stressful, but he knew he would have to live with some compromises.


If you are in the same position, then you are better off renovating your house instead of building a new one, but it all depends on your specific situation. To help you make the best decision for you, we are going to compare the two options in this article.


2. The benefits of building a new home

Now let's discuss why building a new home might be a better option for some people.


Firstly, building a new home can be more energy efficient than renovating an old one. In fact, a new home can be up to 60% more energy efficient than an existing one! This is because new homes are built to current energy standards, whereas many older homes have not been updated in decades.


Secondly, customizability is another big benefit of building a new home. You can choose the size, shape and layout of your home to perfectly fit your needs and lifestyle. Whereas with renovation, you are limited by the existing structure of the property.


Finally, rebuilding from scratch can be a great way to update an outdated or dilapidated house. If your home is in need of major repairs, it might make more sense to knock it down and start anew.


Can I tear my house down and build a new one?

If you're considering tearing your house down and starting from scratch, there are a few things you need to take into account.


The first thing to consider is whether or not your property is large enough to accommodate a new build. In most cases, you will need at least 600 square metres of land to build a new home. If your property is smaller than this, you may be better off sticking to a renovation.


The second thing to think about is whether or not your local council will allow you to demolish your existing house. In some cases, they may require you to keep the existing structure and build around it.


And finally, you need to factor in the cost of demolition and rebuilding. This can be a very expensive undertaking, so make sure you have a solid budget in place before you start tearing down your old house!


How much does it cost to knock down and rebuild?

In Australia, the cost of demolishing and rebuilding a house varies depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the property and the location. However, on average, you can expect to pay around $20,000 for demolition and another $150,000 for construction. This means that, in total, you are looking at a cost of around $170,000.


Of course, this is just an estimate - the actual cost will depend on your specific situation. If you want to get a more accurate idea of how much it will cost to demolish and rebuild your house, we recommend getting quotes from local builders.


Is it cheaper to build or renovate?

So which will cost you less? rebuild or renovate?


The answer to this question is not always clear-cut, as there are a number of factors to consider. However, in general, renovating an existing home is usually cheaper than building a new one from scratch.


This is because renovation typically involves less labour and materials than starting from scratch. Additionally, you may be able to reuse some of the existing materials from your house, which will further reduce the cost.


Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If your house is in need of major repairs, or if you want to significantly increase the size or change the layout, then it might make more sense to rebuild.


Additionally, if you are looking for a more energy-efficient or sustainable home, then building new might be the better option.


Ultimately, the decision of whether to renovate or rebuild comes down to your specific circumstances. We recommend speaking to a builder or architect to get their expert opinion on which option is best for you.


How to decide which option is right for you

Now let's take a look at some of the benefits of renovating your home instead of building a new one:


The first benefit is that renovations are typically less expensive than building a new home from scratch. This is because you can reuse some of the existing materials from your house, and the labour required is usually less.


Another big benefit of renovating is that you can customize your home to perfectly suit your needs and lifestyle. When you build a new home, you are limited to the floor plans that are available. However, when you renovate, you can make changes to the layout and design of your house to create your perfect space.


Additionally, renovating your home is usually quicker than building a new one. This is because most of the work can be done while you continue to live in the house.


Finally, renovating your home can add value to your property. If you do it right, you can increase the sale price of your house by a significant amount. This is especially true if you live in an area where houses are in high demand.


If you are not sure whether to renovate or rebuild then contact Livit construction in Brisbane for expert advice. They will help you to weigh up the pros and cons of each option and make the best decision for your circumstances. Get in touch with Livit Construction today!

If you would like to find out more about our services, or if you need advice on which option is best for you, then please get in touch. We would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.




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