Wondering whether to renovate or rebuild? As DIY enthusiasts, we’re big fans of the renovation journey. Watching our home come together piece by piece has been incredibly rewarding. But, one day we’d also love to experience the thrill of a new build as well.
Forever scrolling through online real estate listings, dreaming up our next new home has become a bit of an obsession, even though there is still plenty left to do on our current home! While we love finding good fixer-uppers, not all properties are worth saving, but sometimes the land alone is too good to pass up.
Whether you already own an older home in need of some love or are looking to buy in a great location, it’s important to consider your options before jumping in. Here are six questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to renovate or rebuild.
Is a knockdown rebuild a viable option?
Before getting caught up in the planning process or putting down a deposit, it’s a good idea to check whether a knockdown rebuild is possible for your property. Depending on where you live, there may be council regulations on which properties can and cannot be demolished.
If your home is heritage listed, it’s unlikely you’ll receive a green light to knock it down. Although, why would you want to! Other factors that might impact a council’s decision include:
- Whether the work would impact any protected vegetation
- How accessible the property is for demolition and rebuilding
- How the work might impact neighbours
While there’s a lot to consider, finding your answer is fairly straightforward. And, most of the information you need should be available on the council website.
To be sure, it’s worth getting in touch with the planning and building department directly to find out whether there are any limitations or zoning restrictions. This can also be a good opportunity to confirm which permits and approvals you will need.
How substantial would your renovations be?
If you’re considering the renovation route, give some thought to how substantial your renovations would be and make sure you understand how much work is involved. On the surface, a renovation can seem like the easier option – but this isn’t always the case!
Cosmetic changes can be achieved relatively easily, but major changes to your floor plan require a lot more work. These types of renos can also be harder to live through if you aren’t planning to vacate the property.
With a rebuild, you typically know what you’re in for. But, there can be a lot of surprises when completing a major renovation on an older home. While new builds have the advantage of fast, modern technologies, older homes require a more considered approach to blend the old with the new.
Some say that living in a home before renovating can be highly advantageous as it allows for a better understanding of the flow of the home. This can help identify what works for you and what doesn’t, and get crystal clear on your renovation plans.
Had we lived in our home a little longer before we started renovation, there are certainly some things we would reconsider. Add a second bathroom? Check! Reconfigure the kitchen? Check! But, with that said, it’s been a huge learning curve and it’s the perfect home for us, right now.
Has your home passed a health check?
While older homes are often filled with character and charm, there may be hidden secrets lurking beneath the surface. Things like termites, mould and asbestos may not be immediately visible, but can be devastating to your home and health.
Mould can be particularly dangerous to live with, and it can be difficult to remove. It may also be a sign of a greater issue like dampness or water damage, which may require time and money to repair.
Asbestos on the other hand is considered safe to live with, provided that it remains untouched. However, if your renovations will disturb products containing asbestos, it’s best to call in the professionals to ensure your protection.
Even a small amount of asbestos can lead to a range of later health problems, and it’s in more products than you might realise. As well as plaster sheeting in older homes, asbestos can also be found in:
- Exterior cement cladding
- Weatherboards
- Artificial brick cladding
- Eave linings
- Bathroom linings
- Cement tile underlay
- Corrugated cement roofing
- Textured paint
- Vinyl flooring
Although not dangerous to humans, termites are every homeowner’s worst nightmare. If left untreated, they can cause major structural damage beyond repair. Last year, we discovered we had termites in our backyard, and it was incredibly stressful while we waited to find out the damage!
Thankfully, there was no significant damage to the house. While treatment set us back a few thousand dollars, it was well worth it for the peace of mind.
So, before you decide on whether to renovate or rebuild, it’s worth checking for these things finding out what you’re in for. While you’ll need to manage them either way, doing so could be a lot more affordable with a knockdown rebuild.
What is the most cost-effective solution?
Speaking of costs, people often assume that a renovation is a more affordable option – but that isn’t always the case. If you’ve ever wondered whether it is cheaper to rebuild or renovate, the answer might surprise you. Research shows that the average cost-per-square-metre of a new build is often cheaper than that of a reno.
The main reason behind this is that, as discussed earlier, rebuilds tend to run a lot more smoothly. On the other hand, renovations can require more intricate work and careful planning. Bigger projects can require extra work to ensure the house is protected from any potential damage or disruption.
Of course, this depends entirely on what you plan to achieve and how much you intend to change. Price points for materials, fixtures and fittings can vary greatly, and going for more high-end selections could see your rebuild budget blown way out.
The only real way to assess whether it is more affordable to renovate or rebuild is to spend some planning out what you want to achieve and adding up the total list of expenses for each option. While it can sound daunting, committing to the process is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best value. And, it will prepare you to make the best decisions for your home.
Are you on a deadline?
Another factor to consider when trying to decide whether to renovate or rebuild is what kind of timeframe you would like to have the project completed in. While you might think a home renovation would be faster, this again depends on how much work is required.
Provided there are no major delays, a typical knockdown rebuild can take around eight to 12 months to complete from start to finish. On the other hand, some say that renovating a house can take between three to eight months.
If you are on a tight deadline, a simple, cosmetic renovation can obviously be completed much faster. However, as anyone who has completed a more substantial renovation or extension will tell you, these kinds of projects have a tendency to surpass their expected completion date!
Which type of homes make your heart sing?
Finally, it’s perhaps most important to consider which type of homes make your heart sing. Are you attracted to the fresh, crispness of a brand new home and the ability to tailor every last detail? Or do you dream of an old-world beauty with character and charm that is impossible to replicate?
Personally, I’d like one of each – and I spend equal amounts of time dreaming of a picture perfect modern Australian style home by the beach as I do imagining owning a whimsical old workers cottage somewhere in the country!
While a comprehensive renovation can make an older home look (and feel!) like new again, it can be very difficult to recreate the charm of some of the older, heritage style homes, and this is certainly something to keep in mind before you decide to bulldoze!
At the end of the day, having a clear vision of the finished home is the single most important step to make, and will help you decide whether a home renovation or a knockdown rebuild is the right path for you.
Still can’t decide?
If you’re still torn between options, it can be helpful to speak to friends or family members who have been through either the renovation or rebuild process.
They may be able to provide advice or insights on things you hadn’t considered. And, if they live locally, they could perhaps even recommend tradespeople or builders they have worked with who can provide advice specific to your own home.
To recap on what we have covered, here are some quick points to help you compare the pros and cons of each option to help guide your decision.
Benefits renovating:
- You can build on the existing character of the home and choose to retain certain features
- The project can be completed all at once or spaced out in stages, which can make it easier to afford
- You have the option to DIY certain aspects of the project which can help you to keep costs down
- You can still live in your home while work is being completed rather than having to move out
- There is likely to be significantly less unrecyclable building waste sent to landfill
Benefits of rebuilding:
- You have greater design control and have the option to select every single design feature
- Your builder will provide a total upfront cost with fewer unexpected expenses along the way
- You have the option to use more technologically advanced materials introduce energy efficient features
- You may be able to reconfigure the property to make better use of your block and enjoy greater space
- There may be less ongoing maintenance and repair once the building process has been completed
We hope this post helps you consider whether a home renovation or a complete knockdown rebuild is right for you – and wish you the very best on your adventure ahead!
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