Is it cheaper to remodel or build new?
Why Remodeling is Almost Always Cheaper than Building New
It’s a common misconception that it’s always less expensive to build a new house from scratch rather than remodeling an existing one. In reality, though, renovating an existing house is almost always less expensive than buying used or building a new one. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but in general, working with an existing structure reduces the cost of materials and labor.
Furthermore, you can frequently take advantage of existing infrastructure, such as utilities, which would be costly to install from scratch. Of course, in some cases, starting from scratch may be the best option – for example, if your property is severely damaged or very old – but in most cases, remodeling is the way to go.
The Cost of Materials and Labor
One of the biggest reasons why remodeling an existing house is cheaper than building a new one from scratch is that the cost of materials and labor is significantly lower. When you’re working with an existing structure, you don’t have to worry about paying for brand-new materials – you can often reuse or repurpose what’s already there. Similarly, the labor required to complete a renovation is typically much less than the labor required to build a new house from the ground up.
The Cost of Infrastructure
Another factor that contributes to the lower cost of remodeling an existing house is that you can take advantage of existing infrastructure, such as utilities. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to pay to have utilities installed – which can be quite costly depending on where you live. But if you’re remodeling an existing property, chances are good that all the necessary infrastructure is already in place.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are always exceptions to every rule – and this one is no different. In some cases, starting from scratch may actually be cheaper than renovating an existing property. For example, if your property is very old or has been damaged severely, it may not make sense to try and salvage it. Additionally, if you’re hoping to make significant changes to the layout of your property (such as adding or removing walls), starting from scratch may be your best option since attempting to do so on an existing structure could result in additional damage.
In most cases, though, it’s significantly cheaper to remodel an existing house than it is to buy used or build new – so if you’re thinking about making some changes to your home, renovation may be the way to go! Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule – so if your property is very old or has been damaged severely, starting from scratch may actually be your best option. But in general, remodeling is going to be cheaper than building new.