If you are a viewer of the many home remodeling TV shows, you are accustomed to seeing houses completely demolished to make way for an entirely new home. In most cases the demolished houses are not worth saving for a variety of reasons. Although most people choose to remodel or add onto a house because they like the house and the location, sometimes just starting over is more economical. This is particularly true with older homes that have been poorly maintained or that were built to the standards of a century or more in the past. It is not uncommon to discover problems with an existing home that require extensive work before the addition or remodeling can begin. These problems can range from termite damage to mold infestation to inadequate foundations, to faulty wiring, and more. There are cases in which the cost of fixing problems and building additions or making improvements will be greater than just tearing down the house and starting over. A good architect and contractor can even perfectly reproduce the house they destroy, and make the addition part of the structure. If you are designing and planning a remodel or renovation or an addition and your contractor tells you there will be a high cost to repair problems and provide necessary upgrades, take the time to do the math. You might find that you will save money by starting from scratch.
If you found this tip helpful, you might also want to read these:
 When in the Remodeling Process do you Contact your City about Planning and a Permit?
When in the Remodeling Process Do You Hire a General Contractor?
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