If you did a major renovation (complete re-wiring, replace all plumbing) . . .

[Anonymous]

Would you do it again or tear down and build new instead? Are your home maintenance costs and headaches similar to a new house, or do you still have issues related to the age of the house? Any regrets or advice? Also, how much did the various elements cost? Just trying to get a feel for how this has worked for others. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Tearing down and new build can involve new codes for various things (sprinklers, dry wells, for example)...keeping 50% or more of the current house can exempt from these requirements. If you can get what you want from a renovation, it can be worth it. Sometimes you can't and a teardown makes more sense. Depends on the house and site.

[Anonymous]

I'd teardown if we could afford it. Instead we are slowly doing everything but we aren't increasing our size at all which is what we need (tiny house). I think in the end, it would have been equal costs.

[Anonymous]

if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

[Anonymous]

New houses have problem too. I'm seeing problems with my new renovation, unrelated to the age of the house or the quality of the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

I think OP said she can't afford to tear down. We're in the same situation. Would love to teardown but only have $350,000 to $400,000 mex to spend. A teardwon would cost closer to $750,000+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

I think OP said she can't afford to tear down. We're in the same situation. Would love to teardown but only have $350,000 to $400,000 mex to spend. A teardwon would cost closer to $750,000+.

Not really. a tear down would cost 300-330k if you already owned the land. (accounting for 70-100k for tear down, ground prep, utilities and permits)

http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=EST&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&
http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=LEG&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

I think OP said she can't afford to tear down. We're in the same situation. Would love to teardown but only have $350,000 to $400,000 mex to spend. A teardwon would cost closer to $750,000+.

yes ... we're doing an extensive renov/addition and thought of a teardown, but were told it would nearly double the price ... we like the original house enough to not want / need to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

I think OP said she can't afford to tear down. We're in the same situation. Would love to teardown but only have $350,000 to $400,000 mex to spend. A teardwon would cost closer to $750,000+.

Not really. a tear down would cost 300-330k if you already owned the land. (accounting for 70-100k for tear down, ground prep, utilities and permits)

http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=EST&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&
http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=LEG&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&

This is a really fun site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

I think OP said she can't afford to tear down. We're in the same situation. Would love to teardown but only have $350,000 to $400,000 mex to spend. A teardwon would cost closer to $750,000+.

Not really. a tear down would cost 300-330k if you already owned the land. (accounting for 70-100k for tear down, ground prep, utilities and permits)

http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=EST&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&
http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=LEG&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&

I think I threw up in my mouth by looking at these hideous houses...

[Anonymous]

I'm a builder; my opinions is that it depends on the quality of the original house; nice older home with good bones, renovate. Tract house - knock it down and start over. I realize that is a generalization but unless the original house has something going for it, it will actually be cheaper to knock it down in terms of cost per sq. ft. Watch your real estate taxes and make sure you do not price yourself out of your own home when the tax man comes knocking. The other thing to keep in mind is ceiling heights. If original is less than 8 ft. do not renovate it.

I live in an antique that I did a reno/restoration; and I have built multi-million dollar manor homes; to me I like the feel of an older home but I am probably in the minority. And what most builders wont tell you is that again unless you have a really nice parcel you are probably better off just upgrading by moving to a different house.
Best of luck.

A

[Anonymous]

Yes, you get exactly what you want and need

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a builder; my opinions is that it depends on the quality of the original house; nice older home with good bones, renovate. Tract house - knock it down and start over. I realize that is a generalization but unless the original house has something going for it, it will actually be cheaper to knock it down in terms of cost per sq. ft. Watch your real estate taxes and make sure you do not price yourself out of your own home when the tax man comes knocking. The other thing to keep in mind is ceiling heights. If original is less than 8 ft. do not renovate it.

I live in an antique that I did a reno/restoration; and I have built multi-million dollar manor homes; to me I like the feel of an older home but I am probably in the minority. And what most builders wont tell you is that again unless you have a really nice parcel you are probably better off just upgrading by moving to a different house.
Best of luck.

A

I like the feel of an older home too. I need a renovation\addition but the two builders I spoke to suggest tearing down and building to the setback. I like a yard and want to keep the existing house. Would love a recommendation for a builder/remodeler who has experience with older homes. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you are getting quotes for over 200k it would make sense to tear down and rebuild.

I think OP said she can't afford to tear down. We're in the same situation. Would love to teardown but only have $350,000 to $400,000 mex to spend. A teardwon would cost closer to $750,000+.

Not really. a tear down would cost 300-330k if you already owned the land. (accounting for 70-100k for tear down, ground prep, utilities and permits)

http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=EST&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&
http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/ProductsGrid.asp?ProductSeriesID=LEG&FormProducts_Sorting=3&FormProducts_Sorted=&

I think I threw up in my mouth by looking at these hideous houses...

additions on homes built in the 40s-60s... like trying to bolt on fake boobs and blonde hair on an old ugly wench

[Anonymous]

So hypothetically, I can buy a shack in Bethesda for 550K, tear down and rebuild for 300? So I can have a brand new house in Bethesda for 850?