“Most clients don’t want to hear those words,” says Paul Irwin, design director with Landis Construction, in the Washington, D.C., area, “but it really needs to be considered on major remodels. “In one case, for example, plans for a 1,300-square-foot addition revealed that the house’s existing foundation wasn’t up to code and would have to be replaced—a $30,000 proposition.

After crunching the numbers, the owners concluded that it would cost as much to update the house, a former summer cottage, as it would reproduce it new. “For a relatively small additional cost,” says the owner, “we get all the benefits of new construction while preserving the character and feel of our old house.”

Do Your Own Demo

Knocking down your home down may not be as costly as rebuilding, you can still shave dollars by doing some of the demolition yourself—as long as you proceed with care.

“If a homeowner wants to demo a deck, well, I am sure they can handle that,” says Michael Winn, owner of Winn Design, in Virginia. “But when it comes to interior spaces, I would dissuade them from doing it unless they have done it before.”

The reason: A reckless wrecker might unwittingly take out a load-bearing wall or, worse still, plunge a reciprocating saw into live wiring or pressurized plumbing.

• Cost to demo a 200-square-foot deck yourself: $450 (Dumpster rental and parking permit)
• Cost for a pro: $1,000
• Saved: $550

Consider Long-Term Costs, Not Just Short-Term Gains

If your addition calls for clapboard siding, for instance, you can save more in the long run by ponying up now for the preprimed and prepainted variety. It costs an extra 10 to 20 cents per foot, but “you’ll wind up paying for half as many paint jobs down the road,” says Paul Eldrenkamp, owner of Byggmeister, a design-build remodeling firm in Newton, Massachusetts.

The reason? Factory finishes are applied on dry wood under controlled conditions—no rain, no harsh sun. “I used prefinished claps on my house about ten years ago and the only flaw in the finish is the occasional mildew spot, easily washed off,” Eldrenkamp says. “The paint looks as if it’ll be good for another ten years, easily.”

• Cost of unfinished siding for a 10-by-40-foot addition, plus two paint jobs: $5,000
• Cost for pre-finished claps and one coat of paint at installation: $3,750
• Saved: $1,250

Debuty Builders, Inc

As an Accredited Business Member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) we carry an A+ rating which means that we have chosen to be accountable, and we continue to demonstrate good faith to our community through our business relationships and our operations. As an Energy Star Partner, Debuty Builders, Inc. is committed to responsible construction practices by installing sustainable and energy-efficient materials.