What’s the right decision for you?

The decision to renovate or build a new home depends on various factors, including your budget, preferences, location, and the condition of your current property. In this post we will review some vital considerations for both options so that we can help you make an informed and confident decision before you get too deep.

Building a New Home:

• Customization: Building a new home provides the opportunity for complete customization. You can design the layout and features according to your preferences and needs.
• Energy Efficiency: New homes are often built with the latest energy-efficient technologies, which can result in lower utility costs over time.
• Healthier Environment and Sustainability: Add measures and use materials that create a healthier indoor environment for your family and friends as well as provide a healthier and more sustainable earth for generations to come.
• Modern Amenities: A new home allows you to incorporate the latest technological advancements and design trends. It also allows the ability to add elements to the design that allow for continuous future updating inside the walls and ceilings.

Renovating:

• Cost-Effective: Renovating an existing home can be more cost-effective than building a new one. However, keep in mind that the actual cost will depend on the extent of renovations needed.
• Preserving Character: If you have a historic or unique property, renovating allows you to preserve its character while updating it to meet more modern standards.
• Faster Timeline: Renovations “generally” have a shorter timeline compared to building a new home, allowing you to move in sooner. Again though, this depends on the extent of the renovations needed.

Factors to Consider

• Budget: Determine your budget for the project, including potential unexpected costs.
  • There are far more opportunities in a renovation project to run into unforeseen issues that could add scope, costs, and potential delays in the timelines expected.
  • If you chose a custom home builder that is looking out for their client’s best interest and offers a fixed price construction contract like ACH does, you should not expect any additional unwanted budget increases… outside of the rare potential of running into unforeseen property issues once excavation begins.
  • Decide with your builder whether a contingency budget should be put into place if you are working with a bank for financing so that any additional potential cost are covered and not coming out of pocket if something arises.
• Location: Consider the availability of suitable land for new construction, and the neighborhood if renovating.
  • If raw land is used, expect to pay local impact taxes for schools and transportation.
  • If removing an existing structure, expect demolition and hauling cost.
  • Are there city utilities available or will you need to provide your own through well, septic, and buried propane (until gas is no longer allowed in Maryland residential construction by Dec. 3, 2026; ALL Electric)
    • If a septic field is required, the property will need to have an approved and valid Percolation Test completed before the property can be looked at as a viable building location. These tests take time, are only open for testing during a small window usually January-April during the “wet season”, and costs money to procure.
  • Does the property fit the home you’re looking to design? Make sure to investigate the building zone the home or property it located inside of and what the requirements or restrictions in that area are.
• Future Needs: Think about your long-term plans and whether your current home can meet future needs.
  • Even if you modify an existing home today, will you be able to future proof it long term? Or will you end up frustrated with it again down the road not having the ability to do so and truly meet the needs of you and your family.
  • Ceiling heights can be one of the largest concerns for buyers according to local realtors. Most older homes were built with low, 8’ ceilings.  Sometimes even less in certain areas.  These are hard and expensive to raise, as the entire home above would need to be raise too.

It literally only takes 10 minutes to get the information you need to find out if we’re a good fit for you. Book your call here.

Also, make sure to visit our Learning Center for more valuable tips and information to help you plan your next home project with confidence!