Renovation and restoration are huge industries; however, this isn’t a process that can be repeated indefinitely. There is a point past which it’s cheaper, safer, and better to just demolish a structure and build a new one in its place. This, nonetheless, is a massive undertaking and there are not a lot of people who make this decision lightly. So, with that in mind and without further ado, when does a building need to be demolished? Let’s take a look at some warning signs and clear indicators that this is the best course of action!
It’s Too Old
If the building is too old, there’s a high likelihood that its infrastructure is weak due to the deterioration of materials over the course of time. Keep in mind that, in the past, when it comes to residential buildings, not much attention was given to ventilation, which further enhanced this deterioration. By demolishing the place and making a new one you’re not taking any chances.
Also, keep in mind that just because the building is old, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to reclaim some of the materials. Skilled demolishers can save anywhere between 40% and 60% of old materials, thus making future restoration not only possible but also quite efficient.
A building that’s too old is also likely to contain some materials that are no longer seen as safe (like lead or asbestos) in its structure. This would require a special demolition procedure. Naturally, there’s an exception to this rule. If a building is a heritage site, chances are that indefinite restoration efforts will be a preferred course of action.
It’s More Cost-effective
Restoration only seems like a simpler, cleaner, and less costly solution. In reality, it takes as much time, money, and effort. Past a certain point, it will end up costing more. The cost of demolishing can be given outright which makes it easier to budget. The same thing goes with the cost of construction (alongside all the permits and additional expenses). According to expert demolition services providers, during the renovation project, you will constantly discover new problems to solve. According to these experts, this is something that makes the majority of people actually consider demolition. With this, a selective demolition NJ specializes in all types of large-scale demolition projects service provider.
Once you make this calculation and figure out the true cost of upkeep + renovation, it might be best to just opt for demolition and new construction instead. This way, you also get the chance to build a place to be energy-efficient and maintenance-friendly. In other words, you will create a structure that is optimized for saving money in the long run. Later on, even if you decide to sell the place, based on this feature, you will be able to achieve a much better price.
Original Structural Weakness
Sometimes, the building starts out on the wrong foot. For instance, during the original construction process, the foundations were found to be faulty. The problem is that sometimes it takes years to discover this flaw but when a problem is so deeply rooted (no pun intended) demolishing the building and building a new one is really the only way.
By demolishing and building in its spot, you have a chance for a fresh start. Keep in mind that there’s been a lot of new trends in architecture and that a new home has a chance to implement all of them. Most importantly, you have a chance to make your dream home. Instead of having to rework or readjust anything, you can simply work on this new project and create a home that you’ve always wanted to live in.
Boosting Property Value
Absurd as this may sound, sometimes demolishing the place and marketing it as an empty lot (in a great location) can get a better property value than an alternative. This happens when the building in question falls under any of the above-listed categories. The reason is simple – buyer is aware of the fact that they’ll have to demolish the place themselves. This is an extra effort, extra expense, and an additional chore.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that the potential buyer might have trouble dealing with visualizing their future projects on the property in question. By showing them an empty slot, you’ll give them a clean slate where they can visualize their dream project quite effectively. This will make the job of an architect much easier, as well. Also, bear in mind that if they want to construct a place instead of buying it, potential buyers will only look at empty lots.
In conclusion
Lastly, recognizing when a building needs to be demolished is sometimes not easy to make. Sure, things might look bad but it takes a professional to make this estimate. Moreover, restoration can be done in stages. This means that even if the total costs are higher, you have a chance to pay them off one by one instead of having to make all of these payments at once. Still, when you have the choice and the resources, demolition and new construction is always a better move.
