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Renovation vs New Construction: Which is the Right Choice for You?

When constructing a new home or remodeling an existing one, understanding the differences between renovation and new construction is essential. 

It would be impossible to make a proper decision without considering all the factors that go into these two options – financial investments, timeline estimates, permit requirements, and an overall sense of satisfaction in what you’ve created. 

Suppose you’re trying to decide whether renovation or new construction is best for your project; Wolf River Construction gives you helpful advice from knowledgeable professionals with years of experience working on both projects. 

Read on for more information about which option might be right for you. 

New Construction

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New construction refers to building a brand-new house from scratch rather than purchasing an existing building or renovating an older one. When looking into this option, it’s important to understand what is involved and how it will impact your purchase.

Pros Of New Construction Project

1. Long-Term Benefits

Building a new house gives you more control over the quality of materials and workmanship, increasing the chances of a longer-lasting home. New construction also allows you to select up-to-date appliances, fixtures, and design elements that reflect your dream home. 

2. Lower Energy Costs

New homes are designed with energy efficiency in mind and can come equipped with Energy Star-rated appliances and fixtures.

3. Customization

Building a new home gives you the opportunity to have a custom home and meet your exact needs, from choosing the number of bedrooms and bathrooms to selecting fixtures and finishes. You can even opt for a home automation system that can control everything from lighting and temperatures to security features. 

4. Less Maintenance

A new building will have fewer maintenance concerns than an existing building, meaning you’ll have more time to enjoy the home rather than worrying about repairs or upkeep. Newer homes are also built to stricter codes than older ones, ensuring that your home is safe and up to date.

5. Increased Resale Value

New construction homes have a higher resale value than older homes, meaning you can expect to return more of your investment when moving or selling. 

Renovation

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Renovation is improving a worn-out, outdated, or damaged structure that has lasted the past few decades. It includes three major factors: tearing down the existing structure, rebuilding them with newer materials, and upgrading current systems such as plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, cooling, and ventilation.

Pros Of Renovation

Here are some of the benefits how the option of renovating can help you:

Cost Savings

Renovations can be much more cost-effective than buying a new home. Improving an existing property is generally less expensive than building from scratch.

More Space

You will get more space if you add to your house or finish an unfinished basement. Extra space in your house can be very convenient and make your life much easier.

Better Functionality

You can add new features or fix old ones that aren’t working properly in your existing space, to increase the functionality of your home. 

More Aesthetically Pleasing

Renovating a house provides a more uniquely attractive aesthetic, particularly old building. This is beneficial if you plan on living in your home for a long time or want to sell it. Plus, older and historical buildings offer such unique aesthetics.

Which Option Results In A More Better Look

New construction is the most attractive option compared to renovating. New construction gives the homeowner more control over design, materials, and cost. It also allows for greater customization of features that may not be possible with renovation. 

Renovation can still result in a beautiful outcome depending on the existing structure, its condition, and the potential to add customizations or upgrades. To achieve this, you need careful collaboration between the construction team, right from architects, builders, and even interior designers.

Which Has A Quicker Project Duration?

New construction projects are faster than renovations. This is because when you build a new home, you only need to focus on one task at a time.

Renovation projects, however, can take much longer because you may have to work around existing structures, materials, and infrastructure. If there is any sort of problem with the renovated building (such as needing extra building materials), this can add additional time to the project duration plus other several renovation projects.

Surprisingly, home owners see it as the opposite, as many think renovating an existing home takes less time than new construction. This is largely because many people assume that all you have to do for a renovation is just swapping out some materials and painting the walls, which often takes far longer than most expect. 

Conclusion

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There is no one right answer regarding whether you should choose renovation or new construction for your next project. The specific project depends on your needs and financial situation. If you prefer something with mere adjustments that perfectly meet your vision and requirements, a renovation might be the way to go. 

However, if you’re looking for something fresh with all the most up-to-date features and technology available, then new construction could be an excellent option. 

Wolf River Construction can offer support no matter which path you choose – from guidance in selecting the best materials, equipment, finishes, and layout to provide an estimate for cost and timelines for each approach.

Reach out to us today for more information about how we can help maximize efficiency and optimize performance. 

FAQs

The cost of constructing a new building depends on the size and complexity of the project. Location, materials used, and labor costs can affect project costs substantially. An estimate for a small residential structure may range from $80 to $200 per square foot, while larger commercial structures will likely exceed that range.

A new building project is more cost effective if significant structural repairs are necessary. However, renovating may be better if only minor repairs and cosmetic upgrades are required, not the entire structure.

House renovations likely to boost home value include kitchen remodeling, bathroom updates, energy efficiency upgrades, and landscaping improvements. Other projects like adding a deck or patio, installing new windows, hardwood floors, and painting are also cost-effective options that can increase the value of a home.

The most expensive part of renovating a house is usually the labor costs associated with the project. Every construction professional charges services and materials, so hiring them can add significant costs to any renovation project. Besides, some renovation projects may require special skills and equipment, which can also increase the overall cost of a renovation job.