Deseret Morning
News, Friday, June 03, 2005
Remodel or move? Architect
can help
By Ann Robinson, AIA,
and Annie Vernon, AIA
We see it all the time. Homeowners come to us needing more
space for a growing family or desiring home features that
their current abode just doesn't have. The tough question
they face is: Should I move to a new home or remodel the one
I have?
The Bateses considered moving from their duplex home, above, but
decided to renovate it instead.
Renovation Design Group |
Two examples of homeowners in this dilemma were the Barretts
of the Avenues and the Bates family of the Harvard-Yale area.
Both couples needed larger homes for their growing families,
yet both also loved their current location, neighborhood, schools
and so forth.
As we did with the Barretts and Bateses, architects can help
any homeowner in this situation make an educated, wise decision.
Architects can help you determine the pros, cons, and general
cost of adding more space; where and how you can add on to
your home so that it will conform to city zoning requirements;
what your house will look like if you add on; and how to set
the parameters of your project so you can control the cost
before construction begins.
We recommend that homeowners faced with the moving or remodeling
question also consult with real estate agents. Real estate
agents can help determine the value of your current home and
the value cap for the area in which your home is located,
show you what is available to buy in the marketplace you're
interested in, and estimate the cost of another home with
your wish list of features.
It is also important to remember and compare the "hidden"
costs of renovating and moving. Costs beyond the basic construction
budget for remodeling include architectural and structural
engineering design fees, demolition costs, permit fees, possibly
needing to replace old wiring or plumbing, and the cost of
additional furniture and window coverings for the new space.
The hidden expenses of moving include Realtor commissions
for the sale and purchase of your homes, mortgage fees and
closing costs, and the hiring of movers and rental of a moving
van.
Next, compare the inconveniences of both options. Remodeling
can be messy, noisy and force you to live without a certain
part of your house during the process. Moving means the hassle
of packing and unpacking, changing your mailing address with
the post office, voter registration, credit card companies,
driver's license bureau, friends and family, and so forth;
and changing all your utilities.
The Bateses renovated duplex home.
Renovation Design Group |
Finally, weigh the emotional costs. Are you willing to give
up your current location, neighbors, schools and local congregation
in order to move? Or would you rather deal with the inconvenience
of remodeling?
In the end, we helped the Barretts determine that it would
cost less for them to move than to finish their basement and
add on to their home to get the space they needed, so they
moved to a larger home just seven blocks from their original
home. On the other hand, we helped the Bateses see the potential
that existed in their current home, so they decided to renovate.
Because both couples wisely considered all the options mentioned
above, both families are very happy with their decision.
Architects
Ann Robinson, AIA, and Annie Vernon, AIA, welcome your design
questions at Ask@RenovationDesignGroup.com.
Robinson and Vernon are founding principals of Renovation
Design Group, a local architectural firm specializing in residential
remodeling design.
To register for "Designing a Remodel with Character &
Class," call 533-5331 or click
here for details.
© 2005 Deseret News
Publishing Company
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