Should I renovate or build a new house?

This is one of the hardest questions we often get asked and one where the answer isn't simple

1. Do you like the area where you live ?
2. Are you planning on staying in your existing home for another 8- 10 years ?
3. Does your existing home have a certain charm, even though it does not suit your needs or have you grown out of your home ?
4. Is the existing home on stable ground with good foundations ? 
5. Is the proposed renovation going to cost approximately the same as the stamp duty you would pay if you were to relocate.?
6. Is the home situated near the shops or close to where your children attend school?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions then extending or renovating your home may be the answer.

Sloping Blocks

Sloping blocks are not as bad as some people perceive them to be... They are usually associated with a good view and this in turn can increase the value.

Sloping blocks are perfect for elevated homes or extensions and are well suited to solid timber floors. Having a garage under the house is another advantage of a sloping block which can put to good use the space beneath the house. It can save a significant amount on site works building an elevated home or extension without the need to build expensive retaining walls or to cut and fill the block to provide a flat surface on which to build.

Sloping blocks also have good drainage for stormwater and to septic systems where deep sewage is unavailable.

Type of Living

As your lifestyle changes your home may need to change with it. For example if you are planning to have or already have children the position of the bed rooms is important in relation to living areas. You may like to entertain out doors and this is where a large deck or alfresco area could be useful or if you prefer to entertain indoors a larger living area might be provided by removing a few walls to create an open plan living area with an overlooking kitchen. An unused bedroom can easily be converted into a home office or study area.

Specific Building Materials

These are the particular products that you may choose to renovate or build your home which determine the quality, cost and the maintenance of the end product. For example if you have a timber or steel framed home you may decide to add on using a similar product or change from Hardiplank to cedar weatherboard to modernize the look of your home. You may decide your dark brick and tiled house is dated and would like to change the roof to colourbond and render the external walls in a sandstone finish. It is not uncommon for an existing brick home to have a timber framed extension added on using a mix of timber and masonary walls.

Energy Efficiency

This is the process of utilising particular products and designs to your advantage to make your new home more energy efficient. For example, using timber on decks or verandahs rather than concrete will reduce the transfer of heat into the main slab ie cooling the house. The hot water system can be solar, electric or gas. The type of roof and wall insulation can make a big difference to your energy efficiency. The aspect of the home or the direction in which it faces or the actual design of the house, for instance wide eaves to shade windows and cladding or the type of glass. All these aspects and more go into making the house more energy efficient.

Reputation and Experience

The reputation and history of your builder is very significant. The more experience and positive the history of your builder is the better the quality of the end product. Ask to speak to past clients about reliability and service as well as the quality of the work and also the attitude and commitement of sub contractors. We often get asked to pass on contact details if prospective clients would like to speak directly to former clients.