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The Pros
1) It is Cheaper
Renovating an old house will almost always come out cheaper than demolishing it and building it anew, if you need to work on a couple of rooms in your house, it’s only logical that you will choose to renovate it instead of going in guns blazing and destroying the entire house. Sometimes you might feel tempted to follow through with full-scale demolition if the number of rooms that you want to rework is high, but most of the time it will be more profitable to just renovate some spaces and move on.
2) Continuing the Legacy
Making a new house from scratch signifies a fresh new start. But renovating your house allows you to maintain that unique character that your home has, while also making it a better place to live in. So it really comes down to whether you prefer to make a fresh start or maintain the home’s legacy.
3) It Has Been Around for This Long for a Reason
Homes that have been around for decades are still there for a reason. The material from which they were built is usually top quality that allowed it to be around for longer periods of time. This also comes from the fact that earlier homes were built from sturdier and more expensive materials, while more modern houses tend to be from cheaper materials. Regardless of the upgrades, you should try to maintain the structure of the foundation of your home.
4) Modernization
Modernizing your home allows you to utilize newer materials and technology in order to better your property. This will allow you to improve vital elements of your home such as insulation and pipping that are far more efficient.
The Cons
1) You Will Sacrifice Creative Liberties
One of the downsides to a renovation instead of demolition is that you have fewer creative liberties to work with as the style and structure of the home still remain dominant. Because of this, you might be forced to maintain the theme of the house.
2) It can Potentially Become a Money Sink
Most of the time, renovation is less expensive than a full-fledged new construction, it can prove to become a dangerous money sink real fast. This is usually dependent on the scope of the reconstruction, as the potential investment can infinitely escalate with the number of problems that could arise due to the sheer scope of the reconstruction. So be prepared for any potential setbacks. At times like these, it might prove better to hire demolition services and start anew in order to avoid bankrupting yourself just to preserve some elements of the house.
3) Temporarily Moving Out
As you might have guessed, the sheer scope of the reconstruction will influence the amount of time needed to get it done. With this in mind, you have to understand that you might need to be prepared to live in another place for a longer period of time. This can be especially stressful if you already struggle with time management. It can also become a problem if you are searching for materials that were used for the original parts of the house. Not to mention that
4) The Toll of Time
While the longevity of the house proves its solid foundation, it is also indisputable that construction materials cannot last forever. While the house might look spectacular, if it has been around for decades and centuries chances are that it is worn out. Being exposed to the elements for prolonged periods of time can take a toll on even the sturdiest of materials (Yes, the walls are not invincible). Usually, this particular type of problem is hardly visible without going extensively into the house’s inner structure. When this becomes apparent, the costs of renovating the house rise through the roof in order to preserve its structure.
5) Exposure to Toxic Materials
One of the possible problems that can occur during renovation is exposure to toxic materials. One of the most common toxic materials you will face is asbestos and lead. If the workers are dealing with asbestos then measures will have to be taken in order to avoid potential tragedy, as over 39,000 Americans die yearly from asbestos-related deaths. This can cause the whole process of renovation to be significantly stalled. So be prepared to take precautions in advance in order to avoid these issues from occurring later down the line.