Should you renovate your existing home, or build a new one to your own specifications? It’s a common question to ask, and neither option is necessarily better than the other. Which option is right for you depends on a variety of different factors.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros, cons, and considerations of both options. Then, we’ll compare doing a remodel vs new construction head to head to help you decide which is right for you.

Renovating: Pros, Cons, and Considerations

When you renovate or remodel, you take your existing home and make changes to it. When comparing a remodel vs new construction, remodeling has a number of advantages:

  • You don’t have to deal with the hassle of moving into a new home
  • You get to stay in the home where you’ve made so many memories over the years
  • A remodel can make your home more modern, energy efficient, and eco-friendly
  • Renovations are often cheaper than building a whole new home

Of course, when comparing remodeling vs building new, there are some downsides:

  • Depending on the renovation being done, you may need to temporarily move out of your home
  • Older homes may contain hazardous materials like asbestos that will have to be dealt with properly
  • If your home is on a historical register, there may be limits on what renovations you can do

Besides these pros and cons, there are a few things to consider when deciding between a remodel and a new construction. Some of these considerations include:

  • Is your current home structurally sound enough to be renovated?
  • What are the local codes and regulations that apply to your home?
  • What’s your goal in renovating? For example, do you want a new look, more room, or space for new children?

New Construction: Pros, Cons, and Considerations

New construction is self explanatory: you’re building a completely new house, instead of renovating an existing one. When it comes to new construction vs remodel, new construction has a number of benefits:

  • Because everything is new, it’s covered by warranty and likely won’t need any maintenance for a while
  • You have way more options for how to build your home, because you’re not limited by an existing structure
  • You can choose the exact layout and floor plan that’s best for you
  • You can build with modern technology in mind, with an electric system made for modern devices and automation

The freedom of new construction is great. But, it does have some downsides:

  • Because you’re building a whole new structure, it’s likely going to be more expensive than a remodel
  • New construction will likely take longer than a remodel for the same reason
  • If you have to tear down a structure before you build, this will also require more money and time

Another possible downside to new construction vs remodel is that there are more things to consider with new construction, such as:

  • What local building codes will you have to follow?
  • Do you need to prepare your new home for weather and environmental events like flooding, hurricanes, or earthquakes?
  • What is the local soil like, and how will it affect your foundation and building plan?
  • Does the neighborhood you’re building in have specific restrictions on the design of your home?
  • Are the required materials and labor easily available?

Remodel vs New Construction: Head to Head

So, is it better to build a house, or renovate? The answer ultimately depends on you, your home, and your needs.

If you want full control over floorplans, building materials, designs, and more, new construction is the way to go. While it may take longer and cost more, being able to build your dream home is hard to beat.

If you want a quicker turnaround, or can’t fit new construction into your budget, a full or partial remodel is likely a better choice. You get to keep the home you’ve loved for years, while updating it to be more modern.

If you’re unsure about which option is right for you, you can always ask an architect. Whether you do a renovation or new construction, they’ll be happy to help you create a plan. If you’re looking for an architect in Asheville, we at Vinyet Architecture would be happy to help. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can be in the newly built (or newly remodeled) home of your dreams.

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